In highlight of your previous message your friend sounds as though she was trying to transfer money into her ISA account and as this is a TAX free account the goverment put a block on it if there are no depsoits in the previous tax year.

In defense of Natwest as a group, we did up until quite recently ask customers to visit the branch to remove the government block. It was suggested by an internal source that all Customer Service Advisors CSA for short, send the forms to the home address rather than asking them to visit branches. As this was a main concern from our customers that this was the only way it could be done we opted to send the forms by post.

Just to clarify for those of you who hold a Tessa ISA, Maxi/Mini ISA the forms can be sent to you by calling one of the following departments:

Customer Care Team
or
Customer Service Line

Paul

BillyBilly, when you see a Skype logo generally speaking it means that the person/business in question are contactable via Skype. If you are a user of the skype service yourself you can use this method to initiate a call to the registered Skype username or SkypeIn number.

For more information on SkypeIn numbers visit the hyperlink below:

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/products/skypein/

Can confirm that 01423532019 still functions at 1517hrs on Fri 25 May, and was answered within 8 rings.
Remember to use 141 first when dialling.

I've found NatWest Bank pretty determined to make you use their 0870 numbers.  I took up a new credit card offer, with an 0800 number.  Straight through with that call, credit card promptly approved and issued and balance transfer done very efficiently.  Great!

Couple of weeks later I wanted to do another balance transfer - OK I'm a card tart!  I tried to use the same 0800 number and was firmly directed to the 0870 number on the back of the card.  I phoned them, but after being put on hold - 'thank you for your patience' crap - I hung up.  I then found another 0800 number on your website but on phoming that number was again firmly told to use the number on the back of my card.  I then used a geographic number which can be worked out by the international number also on the back of the card.  This was reasonanbly quick to answer.

It shows how 0870 numbers are used as 'profit centres'; you are put on hold to generate more revenue share for the bank.  Is there any other country where businesses get away with making you pay premium rates to do business with them?

Guys, your all forgetting one thing.....

Banks don't offer Customer Service anymore, it's all SELL SELL SELL!!!!

And I like the Natwest answer of how they get to ring you back, "we send a fax to the branch", I worked for another High Street Bank, our 0845 ching centres used to do that to, the faxes ended up in the bin unless we could sell customers something.

And you don't need 0845 numbers to operate overflow calls, thats just pure lies, it can be done on 01/02 numbers with the right equipment. 0845 number = profit = fat bonuses