Keep a Lloyds account as the staple (and the app is excellent by the way, thoroughly recommend) but bounce around the others as offers and favourable rates dictate. Over the last few years have used/am using Lloyds, First Direct (different, by also very, very good) Metro, Chase, Paragon, Trading 212.
As standard accounts Lloyds and First Direct are superb, the others are more for other bits but tbh have had absolutely no issues whatsoever and would have no hesitation in doing the ‘hipster’ thing (whatever that really imeans) and making things work for you. These new high(er) return banks tend to have their advantages in the short term so if you’re happy to play the game can be advantageous but it depends what you’re looking for.
Quite surprised by the number of people I know using offshore. Not necessarily wealthy people with tax avoidance at the core, but people attempting to hide income/assets in the case of relationship breakdowns or CSA for example. The rates on offer can be eye-watering too. That’s a whole new world and a murky one that we all need to wake up to. In an era of globalisation, a transient population and an increasing number of personal relationships spanning different countries and continents the days of the traditional High Street bank are becoming a thing of the past. Might not sit well with everyone’s moral compass but offshore is worth looking into and it’s not just for those with significant resources either. Not getting involved in the rights or wrongs or morality of that, but it’s a tide that’s difficult to swim against.
Anyway, fuck it, for a rock solid uncomplicated provider you can’t go far wrong with Lloyds, in an era of rapid change there’s a certain comfort and security from a brand like that.
