I've made three SEPA deposits to Kraken and each time they were available the next business day. I haven't withdrawn anything yet but BTCs. The website is really well done and the possibility to use leverage is quite interesting (and risky!). I believe you need to be verified to use this feature though. Bitstamp looks good too, much more volume.
I can confirm kraken processes payment VERY fast. And the registration process is very fast as well and not nearly as restrictive and tedious as mtgox and btc-e. In fact after about a week mt. Gox finaly emailed me about my registration, and they DENIED it (while I sent them legal documents that are undeniable proof of residency) while kraken accepted them in a matter of hours.
Can't even get money into btc-e so I'm not even going to bother with that. Not to mention I hear a lot of stories that tons very hard to get money out of mtgox.
I honestly believe kraken is not nearly as popular as it should be, just because it's new doesn't mean it is bad. Quite the contrary in fact.
Localbitcoins works well too, easy to use, just note that it's kind of like an eBay for bitcoins, you or buying them "over the counter" from individuals, and it's possible to get scammed, so make sure you're dealing with trustworthy people only.
Kraken will get much more popular and liquid when they accept CA amd NY clients. Until then they will have low liquidity. I really like their support and the website is rock solid with unmatched security. Oh, and if they try to rob me, I can show up with the Feds at their door and at their bank without much hassle.
I have done a little localbitcoin but nearly got scammed for a sizeable amount by a counterfeiter. Lucky for me my bank recommended a cool little counting and counterfeit detection machine that saved me a load of coin. For all the crap said about banks, I would rather trust them with my BTC than most the endless fraudsters in Bitcoinland.
What is sad is that BTC-e probably started just fine but they seem to be overrun with inside scammers and all the newbs here look ridiculous when Hero members still talkup BTC-e. Seems that BTC-e knows very well how to play the shill game on these forums too as they have been here for a while.