As someone with UK and German bank accounts, I prefer the UK banks:
* Free real debit cards you can use online vs crappy card that only works in person
* Free, as long as you're careful not to go overdrawn vs frequently charge per month
* Usually free credit cards if you want one vs annual fee
* No charges for depositing cheques, cash, etc vs fees
* Withdraw money for free from any other UK bank cash machine (ATM) vs lots of fees
* Get paid 5 pounds/month for having a Halifax account!
UK banks are not good if you can't keep a positive balance, but if you're careful with your money they're great. The only issue I've run into UK banks is that they'll use bad exchange rates vs German banks, but they need to make money somewhere.
* Free real debit cards you can use online vs crappy card that only works in person
* Free, as long as you're careful not to go overdrawn vs frequently charge per month
* Usually free credit cards if you want one vs annual fee
* No charges for depositing cheques, cash, etc vs fees
* Withdraw money for free from any other UK bank cash machine (ATM) vs lots of fees
* Get paid 5 pounds/month for having a Halifax account!
UK banks are not good if you can't keep a positive balance, but if you're careful with your money they're great. The only issue I've run into UK banks is that they'll use bad exchange rates vs German banks, but they need to make money somewhere.