A bank’s deaf ear

SIR – I would be interested to see the rest of Polly Paterson’s list of worst performers among banks and institutions with which she has tried to communicate following a family bereavement (Letters, March 14).

Barclays would be head of my list too. My experience of their bereavement department has been appalling. Waiting 72 minutes for a phone call to be answered was my record, then, once contact was made, came a wait of over 14 working days for action to be taken on my request.

With the use of new technology, it is relatively difficult to make effective telephone contact with any of the big institutions, and they seem unable to carry out a simple action (such as a name change on a bill) expeditiously.

My league table is not quite complete, but so far only two large players have met the criteria of good consumer service. The rest are nowhere. Priscilla Hudson

Wolverhampton