News: Customer Service/Care
Small providers 'top banks for customer service'
28 January 2009
Smile, First Direct and Co-Operative have topped a list of financial service providers ranked in order of their customer service.
Which? Money's survey of 15,000 customers found Abbey, Barclays and Halifax to be some of the worst performing businesses in the area.
Martyn Hocking, the magazine's editor, claims the results show big banks have failed to provide a suitable level of consumer care and "are being left behind" by companies which offer this.
"If you're not happy with a provider, then switch - not only could you be treated better, but you could bag a better deal," he advises.
Mr Hocking says the factors which could have affected the results include the provider's pro-active approach to informing their users about better deals, which could be taught through customer service training.
In related news, a study by the Institute of Customer Service has found Virgin Atlantic to be the airline which provides the best consumer care.
