MWilson
MetroBank Southend
I visited the Southend branch today to open an ISA and savings account, I gave my number and told I would be sent a SMS confirming my place in the queue, I was told I would receive a further text and the wait was 45-60 mins. I left the branch and returned 45 mins later, the gentleman that was ahead of me in the queue had not been seen, he queued for the counter and when seen he was told that he could wait or leave and that there was only 1 member of staff opening account. I had been aware of the member of staff being with the same individual for over an hour. I was sitting near the counter and a customer came in stating he had problems with the app and no December transactions shown, the staff member told him it was a known issue affecting numerous customers. After a further ONE hour, so 1 hr 45+ mins in total I gave up, when I went to cancel my name on the list using the link on the SMS my appointment time was shown as 1815 to 1850, the branch closes at 1800. During my time in the branch I saw 2 other person told that the waiting time to open an account was in excess of 2 hours, they left the branch as I did and the customer in the wait queue before me. This is no way to run a bank, I and 3 others left today without opening accounts how much is bank losing invisibly, across all of it's branches? This process should be online, MB are not a new bank, Starling, Monzo, Lloyds, YBS all have online opening. During my conversation with the staff I mentioned they had bad reviews on Trust pilot, her response was "we get complaints all the time" Not an apology or we're improving things, just an acceptance they provide poor service. With the invisible loses this bank is having, the lack of online account applications and account apps not working properly I am taking my money elsewhere.



