For anyone researching which Bank to use - Here isa copy of my final letter to Abbey [Santander in the UK] before finally giving up trying to do business with them:

ATTN: Jackie Howard Banking Servicing.

Thank you for your letter [JLH/1276/CST2STLMT1 A/C xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx] dated 17 December 2009.

In which you wrote:

“It is disappointing that the service you have received from Abbey has not met your expectations”.
My expectations were that I may use the account i.e. with a valid Debit card and correct PIN.

My previous complaint was that I had requested a PIN and received a card in stead – 3 times. The complaint was closed in 2007 with the compensation of £105 .
At that time, however, I again gave up as I was left, after some months, with 4 debit cards and, eventually, notifications of 3 different pins.

When I contacted you on the 25th of November it was because I had not been sent a debit card when 4 I had expired.

You claim that you do not have any dates or details of my current complaint.

What part of, ‘I DO NOT HAVE A CURRENT DEBIT CARD’ do you find difficult to understand?

At this time, nearly a month after I last contacted you by email, I still don’t have one let alone a PIN to use it with!
How you can write the words, “I hope I have resolved the issue(s) you raised with is” in reply to a message sent 22 days ago – having done nothing what so ever to help frankly beggars belief!

It is hardly surprising that my account has remained ‘dormant’ when, after years of complaining to you, you still are unable or unwilling to provide an in date debit card and a correct PIN. Is it?!!!

I give up sending emails, letters and I am not going to call Abbey as it is a pointless waste of time. The people on the phone have not helped after years of phone calls, are rude, and hang up on customers.

When I can make time I shall close the account at a branch.

I have been trying to obtain a working debit card and PIN from you for near three years!!!

For Heaven’s sake!

It’s not as if I asked for the crown jewels! Is it?!
How anyone ever manages to do any business with you is totally beyond me!

I HAVE GIVEN UP.

THE ACCOUNT WILL BE CLOSED.

NO MORE BUSINESS.

YOU ARE INCOMPITENT IDIOTS.