[tialaramex]

Get a better bank. This comes up too often on HN. Prioritise customer service. Don't pick the bank that offers slightly better rates but gives you the run around on every little thing, especially for day-to-day services.

My bank (First Direct) picks up only barely after the ringing tone starts, and the person you're talking to is an expert. They have no branches, so everything must be solved on a phone call (or you can use their web site of course). Nobody needs or wants branches, especially branches that are only open when you've got better things to do.