GB Bank Reviews 141

I recently came across the GB Bank, while looking for a better interest rate for two fixed rate bonds that are maturing soon! My experience has been excruciating, and finding out how they discriminate against foreigners like me very demeaning, therefore I would like to know if others have had the same experiences and how it felt like for them!

Their demands go on and on and on. First they did not accept my long, foreign name, very normal in many countries around the world, so I accepted to abbreviate it, no problem. Tried all possible combinations, but.... then, of course, none matched the full name in my nominated account! Not my fault, right???? Therefore I had to submit a copy of my passport and a bank statement. I didn't really want to, because I feel that if no British person has to do it, why me and those "like" me? But I did, as I need the best return on my money that I can get! Two days went by with no answer, so I presumed that all was well!

Worried, I phoned the bank! Oh no, they had even more demands. As my bank puts initials on the bank statement, probably the same for everybody and legal in the UK, they didn't accept it! They demanded I contacted my bank and got one with my name in full! I did, my bank told me that I had to go to the Highstreet! It was raining and cold, my husband offered to drive me there, but OK, this time my account would be opened, right? Oh no! Not with the GB Bank... two days later, meaning, this morning, I received a call and presumed that it was from the complaints department!!! No, it was someone who wished to tell me that the bank had even more demands. They wanted proof that I have the right to live here! And what next????? So I refused! Still waiting to hear from the complaints department and while I do, my Welsh husband, opened an account with them in a matter of minutes!

Interestingly enough, a lady, from the customer service had a good excuse to make it seem as if they are not discriminating against foreigners. She told me that when she wanted to open an account, and didn't want to include her full name, as she didn't want to use her grandmother's name, she had to show all kinds of documents. I tried to tell her that this was a completely different situation, to which she put down the phone. The lack of respect towards prospective clients is horrendous!

The only thing I wanted to do was to open a savings account, using my legal name and money obtained legally! The lady on the phone today kept telling me not to take it personally! What did she mean? That us foreigners have to put up with more, just because of who we are and where we come from? I feel humiliated, am angry, frustrated and with good reason. I didn't get to this ripe old age to be treated badly, because of having been born in a different country and having a name that is longer than the average British name, but then there are millions like me in this country, some even born here, from foreign parents! Why is this not talked about??? Some discrimination is still very well tolerated! At one of the main banks I was told that maybe my best option is to change my name and adapt it to the British norms. Still, no bank has been as bad as the GB Bank!

Opened a 1 year fixed rate bond as interest rate good - account very easy to open & received verification letter within a couple of days - have just made the deposit & had confirmation to say funds received & can see them on my account. Not sure why all the negative reviews, but maybe as one person said "there was an issue with the app a little while ago".

When I logged into my account for the first time I received a welcome letter with the following statement:-

"Before you can transact using your nominated account you must first authenticate the account. We will shortly send you a letter containing a unique code for use to authenticate your details online."

However, your website FAQs have this statement, under the heading "Where do I find my account details to make a deposit?:-

"• you can make a deposit before you receive your Secure Authentication Code"

So, the above statements are conflicting since if I can make a deposit without authenticating my nominated account I can indeed "transact" and, if that is true, the welcome letter is incorrect.

Additionally, I received my welcome "letter" electronically. If the authentication code is to be posted to me, as is stated elsewhere on your website, the welcome letter needs to be clear that the code will be posted.

As things stand I will not send my deposit until I receive my authentication code (by post!). Even though possibly maybe according to your FAQs I could.

Th e lady answering the call was patient and helpful when I transferred money from my nominated account to my new I year fixed-rate bond.
Things take time because of security concerns.

I’ve had reason to verbally communicate with GB Bank twice recently regarding a 1 year fixed bond account I’d opened recently. Once to ask assistance regarding authentication and the second to question the funds arrival and on both occasions they’ve sorted the issue out, reassured me. Great experience so far. Bravo to the team.

Swag was most helpful and talked me through my problems . She was extremely patient and her help was much appreciated.

GB bank are offering very good rates for FRB. I know very little about them, so checked the FSCS website which confirmed their legitimacy and status. I also checked HMRC companies house website.

I opened the account with no problems and made a very small initial transfer to ensure it went through smoothly, which of course it did. Transfers show immediately on the account, the transfer is not delayed until the following day and I received both an email and a text confirming GB Banks acknowledgement of the funds transferred.

A lot of the reviews on Trust Pilot were very negative - my experience shows the complete opposite. I did telephone their number for some information, it was answered promptly and courteously. Jakob could not have been more helpful and patient and gave me all the information required.

I do not understand why other clients should have had such negative experiences if they followed the instruction provided for opening an account.

The accounts (wife's and my own) where set up smoothly. There was a small hitch regarding the transfer of funds which Swag talked me through very efficiently and confirmed whilst on the phone that the funds had arrived safely. Email arrived immediately afterwards to confirm this.

Great bank, slight glitch funding the account, soon sorted out, very efficiently by Sam, she’s a credit to the bank.

Very helpful customer service, guided me through the process very clearly. Happy to have chosen this bank.

I have spent a week trying to open an account. After filling in all details the website said my account had been accepted and gave me a code number. I then get an email saying my identity submissions were incorrect. I spoke with Customer Services, very nice girl told me to send again on email. This I did and again got a message saying they were wrong, stating there was a discrepancy on my name on my driving licence (there isn't) and my bank statement also did not have the correct details on (it does). GB Bank you need to get your act together as you're clearly losing substantial amounts of investments because mine certainly wasn't a small one. 43% of 1 star reviews says it all!! I'm surprised Martin Lewis recommended them on his website.

I opened an account at GB bank I transfered £80,000 but the bank refused the deposit as it didn't come from my nominated acct. Fair enough my mistake, they said the money would be refunded straight away, the next day it wasn't in my account so I phoned my bank and after a lot of enquires they told me it was still with GB bank, I phoned GB bank and they told me some story that it had to be cleared before it could be returned, I asked were my 80K was now and the lady didn't know, so I asked to speak to a manager and was told they would have to call me back and there was a three day wait, so asked to speak to someone senior at the bank and after a 12 minute wait I was put through to customer services after a lot of questions I was able to find out the money was with GB bank but it was their policy to hold it, I asked why and they said it was just their policy. I decided the only way to get satisfaction was to write to their CEO a Mr Mike Says who states that he doesnt think its necessary to divulge his email address, my guess would be that he gets too complaints or he is ashamed of his bank.
Im not sure now if I feel comfortable banking with GB bank

I deposited £15000 into a 1 year bond on 15th July. When I log into the GB banking app tonight (17th) I have a message saying I have no active accounts. So it looks like £15000 has vanished. By way of an update, it would appear that there are issues with the app which is still under development, according to the customer service person I spoke to. Funds are in the account

Based on my experience when talking to two Customer Service Advisers Reah and Sam regarding rates for interest paid monthly on a Fixed Rate Bond, I am 100% going to invest a fairly substantial sum when funds come through any time now.
Well done GB Bank in employing great staff - I promise you it will pay dividends!

I spoke to a representative at GB Bank today with reference to opening a power of attorney account. The phoned was answered immediately and they were polite efficient and friendly in dealing with the opening of an account. Would throughly recommend.

If you have any sense you will not give this bank the time of day and go through the same awfull experience as me, they repeatedly request ID info to open a second account when they had allready acknowledged they recieved it and further more why would you need to send it when you are allready a customer? Very worrying going forward, I need to contact the obudsman immediately.

FOUND THIS BANK VERY HELPFULL SPOKE TO 2. MEMBERS OF STAFF WHICH HELPED ME WITH APPLACATION VERY KIND GB BANK

Excellent customer service, amazingly fast transaction times when transferring money

Very easy to open account, and when needed clarification on a point customer services answered promptly and efficiently. Interest rates are competitive and overall I have no hesitation in recommend them