Customer service from UK banks is poor

The results of recent research have indicated that many consumers in the UK feel that the level of customer service seen at banks in the UK is poor. The research was carried out by moneysupermarket.com as part of its new annual industry service rankings, and showed that banks were performing very poorly in the opinion of customers when it came to customer service.

In top place for customer service were hairdressers, which consumers felt provided an excellent level of customer service. However, whilst banks did not come at the bottom of the list they were beaten in terms of poor customer service levels only by estate agents and energy companies, the latter of which have become well known for providing a poor level of customer service.

Officials that were involved in the research said that the banking industry in the UK could learn a thing or two from service industries that ranked high in the list, and that the industry should try and salvage its reputation by taking a leaf out of the books of industry sectors that were known for their excellent levels of customer service.

A moneysupermarket.com spokesperson said: “The world of hairdressing may seem far removed from personal banking, but providers shouldn’t dismiss their place at the top of these rankings. The art of good customer service need not be so tricky, simply by moving off the script and talking to customers in a more personal, sympathetic way, banks could do a lot to improve the way they are perceived.”

The banking industry has a long way to go to regain the confidence of consumers, as they have plunged in popularity since the onset of the global financial crisis and the near collapse of Northern Rock.