Bank of England Review

One star for the security guy on the door who basically yelled at me and treated me like a criminal ... if you re going to make joe public visit to exchange old notes you could at least be polite (teller staff were however very nice)

Good service!! You can change old 5 and 10 pounds to new ones here.

Very interesting museum. A must if you are a coin or banknotes collector.

This is a review of the Note Exchange Service only.

I needed to exchange some old bank notes and so visited the Bank of England s Note Exchange Service. When I arrived at the window, the Bank Teller asked me if I had ever used the service before. I replied No and I never will again this is why.

Whilst the Bank of England makes much of its austere brand, with its high quality livery and mostly well dressed staff, it truly needs to improve its service to its walk in note exchange customers who may be a minority concern in its day to day business but it is so poor as to be an embarrassment to the Governor.

Having arrived in the entrance lobby, I was greeted by concierge staff, who were both polite and well dressed However, insisting I get my money out and show them in the doorway of the bank did seem ill thought through but I soon learned that the whole service seems ill thought through from the customer perspective. The main issue was the lack of resource to deal with customer demand and the staff s lack of ability or concern to actually change anything.

The concierge staff gave me a form which, once completed, they helpfully checked for me before ushering me into a queue that took AN HOUR AND A HALF to reach the front of. At no time did anyone mention a long wait nor was there any signage explaining this. Whilst I stood in the queue I witnessed an old lady three times go up to the counter and ask why she was waiting over two hours for her query to be resolved. I also noted that not all the counters were open all the time which didn t impressed the other unhappy customers in this really long queue.

Once I had completed my transaction, which itself took only a couple of minutes, I asked the teller how I could complain about the poor customer service. He said he wasn t sure and said I should speak to the "Helpdesk" staff behind me. So, I went over to them and explained. The young lady on that desk looked rather shocked and said she was just a receptionist and wanted to know who had told me to speak to her. She then rang a number on the wall telephone and handed me the handset and I spoke to someone called Rachel (who apparently is the only Rachel in the Bank of England so she didn t need to tell me her surname) who after putting me on hold transferred me to the supervisor who was walking around behind the teller who had originally served me so why he couldn t just turn around and ask her to speak to me I don t know.

This lady apologised and said there was nothing she could do. I suggested that they could put more tellers on duty. She told me that all the serving positions were in use which they weren t all of the time. I asked her why they didn t have more serving positions She said this wasn t possible but wasn t able to say why this wasn t possible. Perhaps there is a law that says they can only have four serving positions other than that I would have thought it was up to them how many they have.

She went on to explain that Mondays were always busy I asked why this information wasn t on their website and if they knew this why they don t have more staff on customer service duty on Monday I was again told they couldn t do that. Another meaningless response.

She did say though that she thought putting the Monday is busy note on the website was a good suggestion I won t hold my breath though.

Given the better service at the Museum Why don t they just issue a numbered ticket so folks can walk around the building to the Museum whilst they are waiting the bank could even be far sighted enough to put a ticket counter in the Museum itself (it s the same building) so folks could make more use of this dead time.

So, all in all, a very unprofessional approach to customer service. Do avoid this service unless you have time to waste.

Visited for the Open house weekend a couple of years back and if you're prepared to queue, it's quite an interesting tour.

If you are a traveler, the only place you can convert to a priesthood in London is if you have a pound savior. Just inspect your bag and exchange it at the window.

We visited here from Canada, back in mid-August. (We believe they are lucky to have Mark Carney :) ) The mini-museum was amazing, just to look at the whole history of money and banking. Our two young daughters were enthralled by it too, being able to do some hands-on activity like controlling inflation and assembling bank note puzzles. The history of literary figures in money was a good exhibit. Lifting the gold bar added a nice touch too. All in all, it's worth it!

I went to the old bill exchange. I only got my passport, but I couldn't go through the procedure because I needed to have my current address listed, I returned to the hotel again, got my driver's license (passport also needed), and was able to exchange it for a new bill. Please be careful when replacing.

UK's financial centre.
The feature is that there is no window on the lower floor.
It is a splendid building that feels tradition and dignity!

To the bank instead of the old banknote
Show the contents of the bag and old banknotes at the entrance and go inside

Security guards, bankers, all very friendly and polite (^ ^)
ID card seems to be required for high-price exchange
Then go to Thomas Exchange UK, a rumored good rate
5 minutes walk from the bank

Good place to go if you're looking to see some UFOs, reptilian humanoids, and the like.

Bank of England is very nice but we can't go to the gold khazana

A fascinating visit. When I visited, you were able to actually hold a real bar of gold, which is so cool. No photography at all however, which is a real shame and a little short on things to do.

Managed to change some notes. Beautiful architecture .

A controlled bank who plays on their real boss rules to control the whole world! The worst things are: the small states are economically enslaved to the greatest powers in the world. We all hope that their politics will change and will not act like 1000 years ago like the Imperialists!

Hi ! Can ask someone about mey coin ! 2 new pence 1971 ! That realy rare or ??

I would give zero stars if possible. This place is horrible. They are unorganized and very unprofessional. They are rude too. They put my fiance and I through hell. We we're buying a home and the first projected close date was late December. It was pushed 5 times and each time, the day before we wore supposedly closing they would ask for additional things. Then after we we're assured we would close on the 16th of February, on the 16th we we're told they won't be financing the house because it is not on stilts. But they had photos of the home from the home inspection months ago and already knew that. They drug us around and wasted 3 months of our time. They often wouldn't even respond to messages we sent. they had horrible customer service and I would not recommend anyone use this bank. It is a waste of time and energy.

Unless you're an oligarch or international financier odds are you're here to exchange your old currency. The lines move at a reasonable pace but the various restrictions and the sheer inconvenience of the whole process mean it's ultimately a drag. The lines attract some spectacularly shady characters and the whole thing feels like a chapter from Forsyth.

So disrespectful to put animal corpse in bank notes. Will the corpses of the directors be used in the notes once they have died, as opposed to slaughtered animals? The local vegan supermarket will be vegan except for the contents of the till.

One of the most popular Bank in England and One of the Coolest staff I have ever seen. I must visit this Bank once in my life at least.

Very beautiful museum with a lot of history to it.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is a shambles! Although I know they have a job to do I handed a few thousand pound over to them 3 weeks ago that my late father passed to me when he died for me in a time of need. I have tried to do the decent honest thing and hand it all in to be exchanged. They have had it for 3 weeks and still have no reason why my exchange has not been done. Now this is my time of need it seems the bank wants it more than I do! I understand they have a process because of crime and stuff but it feels I am the only victim here. Complete invasion of privacy too asking who works for me and scanning every angle of my life! It's not exactly hundreds of thousands! If there was a way of taking things further I would! My life has been hell the last three weeks due to this! Staff a rude as well, very.

Lynette Smith lamdeafpersonneedtwobankhelpeneedsavehouseandcarfoodgasthinglikethatpleasecallmemessengerthankyougodblessyoubye

If you work near here you can just walk in and hold a bar of gold.

I think the new plastic note will not last you have to fold then one end dropes off .we don't all have wallets fits back of phone. Not a good idea paper folds better.

Perhaps this is one of the historic banks around Europe, love the design of the building.

Such a massive and beautiful built building, which also happens to be the central bank of UK. Established in 1694 and the world's eight oldest bank - that's history for you..

Changed the old dozens without problems and queues. It took less than a minute: I went to the checkout, gave away the old ones, got new ones. There was no need to fill anything.

They exchange old pound notes at Threadneedle Street. I m a tourist. It was so easy - they saw my notes were in good condition. Asked the denominations i wanted and gave me new Pound notes! 5 mins is all it took. No passport copy- nothing! It was a super smooth, efficient and quick process. Sometimes they make you fill a form with some basic details. Kudos to the helpful and smiling staff. Really happy with my experience. Thankyou.

I'm not happy bad and poor customer service and the lady on the phone did not help at all

I would like to know what is the way to change pounds sterling

it's beautiful!
I went for the exchange of old pound banknotes.
Entrance staff is also friendly, gentleman correspondence.
It is a bank like a museum. There is a museum next to it.

Customer level was at the highest level, plus they have nice museum on the corner

Daughter loved the museum and filling in the quiz sheet. Well worth a visit to the museum

giving help to the unemployed who earn money every day

I went to exchange some old twenty pound bills that went out of circulation and spent some time at the museum. It was time well spent. I enjoyed learning about the history of the bank, its architects, and was intrigued about how busy and crowded it was in the bank on the dividend day. A display of all the Bank of England notes was among my favorites, and of course who would refuse touching the real gold!

If I could give zero stars, I would. Every day broker changed his story and kept offering different programs of which he said we qualified for. Wasted so much of our time, my agent's time and the seller's time.

Quickly popped in here to change some notes, wasn't really busy when I went but I was told if you plan to visit after 10ish, depending on which day of the week, it does get busy.

All on all, was perfectly fine.

Banking services counter is somewhat elitist, cash machine only for Bank of England account holders only. Comfy sofas, doorman firm but fair. Cashiers helpful. Would recommend it only if you had dealings that require the Bank of England's services. If you don't know what they are, the doorman will probably suggest you went elsewhere.

We were here on excursions - in childhood, when I saw its architecture, I said: Oh, mom, look, what is our Bolshoi Theater doing in London? )))))))))))))

the worst bank in the world no customer should entrust his money!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amazing administration; it could not be better managed

A passage by the national bank to exchange an old note of 10 pounds sterling which I had left. Filtering at the entrance, with verification of the contents of the bags. Parts are not exchanged. When I got to the counter, there were only two people in front of me. In the end, it took 20 minutes with very friendly staff (I was not asked for my name or passport)

What a great moment for all intellectuals.. to be appointed as governor of Bank of England, gentleman Meritorious and intellectuals are always recognised and honoured.
The post is currently (present governor) worth 874000 pounds a year, the highest paid banker in the world.

Hi my name is andressa gomes and I would like to talk to you.

Loan Processor customer services not great and we did not close on the day we where suppose to. Did not keep us uodated on information once was in underwriting.

Nice building . .But the new 20 pound note is disappointing...why couldn't they of made it bigger..

Visiting the Bank of England museum is a lesson in Economics and a good venue for school trips. It is free to visit, very well organised and you can also take a free audio/visual guide which contains a large amount of information on each room. Apart from learning about the role and function of the Bank of England, you can learn about the production and development of Bank notes, from the early days of hand written transferable promissory notes for gold depodits to the modern note. It was fascinating to see the old notes of the 1960's which I just remember; The large printed one pound note.

Hello good afternoon,
Here is James Viana, I wonder if it was actually sent me an email
of England LONDON Bank UK today?

Please, if really get in touch again responding to my email

With the best-lengths Tiago Viana

Keeps interest rates at minimum level for years whilst continuing with Help To Buy scheme causing another housing bubble.

NOT RECOMMENDED!

I think their customer care service was phenomenal and for that they get five stars from me.
Reasons behind giving one star review is that I was a victim of counterfeit money and as I wasn't sure about the note (I'm not an expert) I went to my bank to check - they took it and sent it to BoE. The policy is not to refund you if confirmed counterfeit. What I learned from it, if I suspect (but can't be sure cause I'm not an expert) -NOT TO SEND IT TO BOE cause I loose. I'm not saying that people should do illegal activities but ONLY if I'm positive that it's an counterfeit I will send it but I wouldn't take it in the first place.

This is a review of the note exchange, which I have to say, was absolutely terrible. You would think that a prestigious Bank like the Bank of England would have world class customer service - befitting of its reputation. However, on my visit to change a couple of old Banknotes, I was shouted at by a gloried security guard - who was a fat bigoted cockney man who thought he owned the bank himself - because my phone started ringing while standing in the queue. The queue itself was unnecessary large - only one of the three cashiers were active. The room itself was abysmally dull. I expected a palatial setting like many of the New York banks. Instead, me and many more were crammed inside a pockey room staring at dusty paintings, chipped plasterboard and cheap brass metal. When it was 'my turn', I was served by an abrupt, arrogant, and undereducated nitwit. I was asked many questions in such an invasive manner. The whole experience was a shambles. I shall never return to that pockey small room where every request I made seemed like too much of a burden. Typically British, lacking in class, style and etiquette. You would think that there is room for a much larger room inside such a grandiose building of regal proportions.

Despoiled the colonies, constructed with the blood and tears of the Third World. Other than that, good bank.

Visited the Bank of England as part of open house day. This place has some really interesting history and the interior is beautiful. There are long queues at the open house weekend and tickets run out very quickly. There is often two queues; one for the Bank of England which is rarely open to the public and one to the Bank of England Museum which is open all year round to the public. It is worth while visiting the museum aswell but I recommend a visit on a day other than open house weekend. No photography allowed within the Bank of England!

Help has gained to eat or has arrived in England abasse