lloyds bank dumping small farmer to call center

nt farm

Member
Hi all.

We have just been informed by my old lloyds agricultural manager that we are being dump by them and we are now going to be handled by some call centre with people that they say are Ag specialist who will have no knowledge of my farm and business except what the computer numbers give. (the computer says NO).

Not very happy about this as we moved to Lloyds when we lost our manger at the old Midland bank and her replacement was uninterested in farming.

At the time Lloyds were proud of the fact that they understood agriculture and know how important it is to have a specialized team of managers looking after farming.

I am not happy with this move and at the moment Lloyds don't seem interested is allowing us to stay as they were.

So much for listening to customers.

To my question.

Which banks are still running specialist agricultural managers and are you happy with the service they give you.

we farm in Wiltshire.

cheers

paul
 

Formatted

Member
Livestock Farmer
Been like that since I joined for me. Natwest are meant to be quite good on Agriculture. If you're looking to borrow Santandar have an agricultural arm thats a few years old and are apparently keen for customers.
 

Chris F

Staff Member
Media
Location
Hammerwich
Its a shame, but I am in the process of closing all our Lloyds accounts. Not quite the bank they once were imo. But it does seem to depend on region, as some friends still say how great they are.
 

foxbox

Member
Location
West Northants
Been like that since I joined for me. Natwest are meant to be quite good on Agriculture. If you're looking to borrow Santandar have an agricultural arm thats a few years old and are apparently keen for customers.

I believe that the Natwest agricultural managers have gone with the job being handled by the commercial team or whoever they call themselves now. They still do farm visits (at least some do) and presumably know one end of a cheque book from the other but I don't think the service is what it used to be.
 

Doc

Member
Livestock Farmer
Banks are interesting.
Lloyd’s passed me on to centralised banking for my farming business (small) about 3 years ago. I’ve stuck with them as I don’t need them.
My other business (much larger) left RBS to Lloyd’s last year due to the same thing and I can’t fault them so far.
I suspect it’s simply down to scale and what they think they can earn off you with least risk.
 

MrNoo

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Cirencester
I am with Lloyds, have a dedicated agg manager reachable by phone/e-mail etc, wouldn't say we are that big a business, no issue with them at all.
 

nt farm

Member
I am with Lloyds, have a dedicated agg manager reachable by phone/e-mail etc, wouldn't say we are that big a business, no issue with them at all.

I was told the letter was coming out in May to all the farms that it affects. Hope you earn them enough for them to stay with your manager.

If I kick up enough fuss then we will see what happens if not we will move to a new bank.

Have to start talking to each bank to see if they have ag managers.

Dr evil. I will ask accountant we got rec from him ref solicitor.

cheers

paul
 

DeeGee

Member
Location
North East Wales
I’m afraid that at the end of the day all the banks are really interested in is their own profits, they really don’t care a toss about customers.

They have all closed thousands of branches and they will continue to reduce customer services as much as they possibly can do to reduce their own overheads.

It may take longer to happen in some areas and with some banks; but happen it will eventually.
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
In all my years with them, all the business call centres have been in the UK. Mine was in Taunton, there is another one in Newcastle I think.
Probably looked after at times by my wife as part of the agri team but she's taking voluntary redundancy when Taunton closes in June after 33 years working fot Lloyd's Bank.
 

Boysground

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Wiltshire
Lloyds here also in Wiltshire. Have a dedicated manager I have her direct email and mobile number. If I have any day to day problems I call the call centre and have a contact there. The call centre is in Southampton and I have met the people there at the odd bank function I go too.

Pleased with the service. Recently they have been very competitive when it comes to borrowing.

Bg
 

O'Reilly

Member
I've been into this, and it seems that unless you borrow hundreds of thousands, you don't get a n ag manager. NatWest did have one, but he was learning ag on the job. Then they want you to have a valuation, and there's solicitors fees for moving the legal charge, if applicable, and it makes it not worthwhile moving.
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
Do not see what the fuss is about, if your low risk and/or have minimal borrowings then you have been moved to an ag small business team, but if you become a larger borrower you will go back to a manager. If you are higher risk and/or larger borrower you still have a dedicated manager. I find the ag team pretty clued up but i would advise you insist on sending them your accounts every year just in case you need a quick decision because thats the first thing they will ask for and if they already have them it speeds the job up no end.
 
Not here we are with Lloyds in Brecon. I assume the manager is agriculturally experienced and nice to talk to someone that understands and knows whats happening in the sector. Don't be scared to more to another bank there is nothing between them now.
 

nt farm

Member
Will first try and get hold of the head of Agricultural email address for lloyds and express my displeasure and see if they listen to there customers. I can see from this thread that some are happy being handled by call centre and some are not the choice would be good.
 

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