Why I’m left in a rage by a visit to Santander ...

NEVER again will I pop down to Santander Bank in London’s Kensington at quarter to three in the afternoon.

I currently earn a pitiful rate on my Santander savings account, so I headed to my nearest branch to seek out a better deal.

Everything seemed geared to drive me online. First, I joined a 15-minute queue of customers dashing to get into the branch before its 3pm closing time.

Santander shut 111 branches last year and slashed the opening hours of those remaining to between 9.30am and 3pm – except for those who have an appointment.

Once I finally got to the front of the queue, I was told I could indeed switch my account for a better rate – either online myself or by booking an appointment to see someone in the branch. The next appointment available? November 10.

That is almost a month away. I would be guaranteed to miss out on the table-topping easy-access account (eSaver Limited Edition) that Santander launched last week. It is only available for a short period and due to be withdrawn by the start of next month. Fortunately, I have the option of going online instead. But I am fuming that Santander would treat customers, who can’t or choose not to save online, in such a second-class way.