The first question is:
What do you want the account for?
Is it just day-to-day banking, or are you going to do more complicated transactions like Stocks and Shares ( that does not include ISAs or similar Unit-trust type business)?
If you are not a borrower and have a regular income which keeps you permanently in a credit postition, then choose the one that has an emergency overdraft facility so that if you do go accidentally overdrawn, you do not get hammered for costs. Also find a reliable bank, which is consistent with their costs. If you are not likely to go overdrawn look at all the banks' terms and conditions.
I have accounts with Nat West, and a business account with Co-Op; and the latter have been far superior in terms of service and value for money. They also seem to be more professional and not trying to sell you things all the time; more to the point you get to talk to a human !
The only problem with Co-op is that their branch network is not very good, unless you are in a large city. However their internet banking is effective. If you do a lot of over-the-counter transactions, like paying in cheques or cash, unless you have a branch near you the poor network can be an issue.
Given the state of the five main banks, the only one which is relatively stable is Barclays and they have a good branch net work, albeit not too many tills for the size of some towns. I have had problems with them long ago, but they seem to be more reliable in the Securities area than 30 years ago when I first banked with them.
If you have a regular income and large savings as well, go for a cheque-book/card serviced deposit account. Strictly speaking you cannot have a Direct Debit or Standing Order paid OUT of a deposit account, but there are ways around this. Halifax Bank have a Current account that pays a relatively strong interest rate whislt in Credit and they are reliable and can take Standing Orders and Direct Debits.
Really it comes down to what you need from the bank in terms of service and the way you handle your money as outlined above. I would suggest researching the situation and all the banks including the smaller ones. Most have ATM and on-line facilities which means branch banking is not so much of an issue unless you are dealing with cash and cheques a lot. Check their rates and costs of default and other hidden terms. Discuss it with a proper Manager who knows what they are talking about and not a young 25 year old who has little experience. The latter is the main problem these days, and retail banks have become just that: glorified money shops.
