Recommended Current Account

Recommended Current Account

Author
Discussion

jbswagger

Original Poster:

890 posts

216 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I am moving from First Direct as fed up locking my self out the app. I'd been with them for years and had no real reason to move but they have changed and you normally can unlock the account yourself by phone. Now I have to go to a local HSBC and show my passport. As I don't drive then I it's a one hour round trip on public transport

Also do I get some payment for switch my account

ninepoint2

3,706 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
Nationwide Flexaccount plus

JuanCarlosFandango

8,843 posts

86 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I use Chase and find them very good. Decent rates of interest for a current account and the ability to set up sub-accounts etc. All app based so no need to go into branches at all and when I have had cause to contact them by phone or app I've got an answer immediately.

I do also have a Nationwide Flex account mostly because you get breakdown cover, travel insurance and phone insurance for not very much. I think they've just put it up to £18 a month.

ChocolateFrog

31,747 posts

188 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I like Nationwide. They even gave me some money the other day.

mikeiow

7,110 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
JuanCarlosFandango said:
I use Chase and find them very good. Decent rates of interest for a current account and the ability to set up sub-accounts etc. All app based so no need to go into branches at all and when I have had cause to contact them by phone or app I've got an answer immediately.

I do also have a Nationwide Flex account mostly because you get breakdown cover, travel insurance and phone insurance for not very much. I think they've just put it up to £18 a month.
A vote for all those & more!
Our “main” account is Santander….free to run, does all we need.

…but also have a Chase (great abroad), Flex (for the reasons above - the increase was painful but still works out cheaper for us than separate cover). Monzo (better savings rate than Chase now, & also good abroad).


My main question, however, is why do you keep locking yourself out of the app?
All the above have Face ID….I’d need plastic surgery to get locked out!

jbswagger

Original Poster:

890 posts

216 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I hadn't got round to setting up face reconciliation

mikeiow

7,110 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
jbswagger said:
I hadn't got round to setting up face reconciliation
Well, I’d jump into the 21st century & try that first - if that is your only gripe, issue solved!

I always thought First Direct had a pretty good rep as an account.

JuanCarlosFandango

8,843 posts

86 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
mikeiow said:
A vote for all those & more!
Our “main” account is Santander….free to run, does all we need.

…but also have a Chase (great abroad), Flex (for the reasons above - the increase was painful but still works out cheaper for us than separate cover). Monzo (better savings rate than Chase now, & also good abroad).


My main question, however, is why do you keep locking yourself out of the app?
All the above have Face ID….I’d need plastic surgery to get locked out!
Yep. Also to add the insurances with Nationwide are good. I've had cause to use all 3 over the years and it's always been no quibble. I know other banks have similar offerings but I have heard stories of banks using cheapo policies with restrictions. Never had a problem with any of that.

The only thing I do find irritating with Nationwide is the card reader. They've largely done away with it now but you still need it for somet things. If you struggle with tech OP (sorry if that sounds really patronising!) then it might not be the best idea.

White-Noise

5,152 posts

263 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I used nationwide for a long time which was great for the breakdown phone and travel insurance. I moved over to monzo though. Great app and the pots have half decent interest rates for moving money in and out of plus there are lots of benefit options. And it's good for travel

mikeiow

7,110 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Yep. Also to add the insurances with Nationwide are good. I've had cause to use all 3 over the years and it's always been no quibble. I know other banks have similar offerings but I have heard stories of banks using cheapo policies with restrictions. Never had a problem with any of that.

The only thing I do find irritating with Nationwide is the card reader. They've largely done away with it now but you still need it for somet things. If you struggle with tech OP (sorry if that sounds really patronising!) then it might not be the best idea.
Indeed…..although the Barclays reader works fine with Nationwide cards (& vice versa - perhaps it is a standard!). Can be irritating on holiday when you suddenly have to pay someone new & don’t have it, for sure!

But start with face recognition - it is good security anyway, whoever you bank with.

JuanCarlosFandango

8,843 posts

86 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
Yeah my main problem with the reader is that I use it so infrequently I usually can't find it or the batteries are dead.

mikeiow

7,110 posts

145 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Yeah my main problem with the reader is that I use it so infrequently I usually can't find it or the batteries are dead.
Our two (Nationwide & Barclays) must be *well* over a decade old - maybe two - & just keep on working hehe

craig1912

3,979 posts

127 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
Never had an issue with the FD app. I also use Monzo, Starling and Halifax and the FD app doesn’t seem to be any worse or better although the functionality is a little more clunky.
Activate face recognition and see how it goes.
Wife uses Lloyds and their app is fine and insurances on their paid for account are very good.

Simpo Two

88,957 posts

280 months

Wednesday 26th March
quotequote all
I've used FD happily online for 20+ years. I use a PC as I have no reason to carry my banking details around with me on a little thing so easily lost or stolen.

Vasco

18,009 posts

120 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
Nationwide has been very good for many years. Also the only one of those mentioned above to actually be a Building Society (the biggest) - who will often share profits with their members.
.

davek_964

10,127 posts

190 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
jbswagger said:
I am moving from First Direct as fed up locking my self out the app. I'd been with them for years and had no real reason to move but they have changed and you normally can unlock the account yourself by phone. Now I have to go to a local HSBC and show my passport.
Ironically, this makes me tempted to move to First Direct. Anything that makes it harder for criminals to get my money is a good thing.

Blue M5 and Golf R

797 posts

174 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
I have Nationwide (over 30 years) and Chase a great combo

andye30m3

3,488 posts

269 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
I opened a chase account recently and really like it.

Sensible interest rates on savings and can set up lots off different accounts which I find useful. The couple of times I've had to call the call centre the staff have been brilliant compared to the call centres of high street banks I've used in the past.

LordGrover

33,887 posts

227 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
Having the ability to attend a High Street branch, albeit HSBC is a definite bonus and not something I'd give up lightly.

I have accounts with Chase, Monzo and Starling but can't bring myself to move to any one of them for my salary and DDs. So many tales of woe about people being locked out of their account which can take weeks to resolve (not an issue personally, so far).

I think First Direct is one of the better options, though I haven't used another High Street bank in decades.

Which comparison

Glosphil

4,637 posts

249 months

Thursday 27th March
quotequote all
Had our first mortgage with Nationwide in 1969 & our current account since 1985. Also some savings accounts0 & one of our credit cards.

Last year wife & I received £100 each profit share & this year £50 each when NW took over Virgin Money.

When our credit card details were stolen & used by hotel staff in London the £800+ was returned to the next day. Police & Fraud Line were useless & did nothing.