Whats the best bank for a current account?
Discussion
I always thought HSBC were really good, in years past if say I was going to go £50 overdrawn I'd be phoned and asked would I like to transfer money in to avoid fees, or maybe a temp overdraft etc Now even with a chargeable PLUS account you don't get that level of service, you just get thrown a non-negotiable fine. So I'm going to close the acount and all my others and go elsewhere, thing is though where? What bank offers the best service, doesn't fine you for minor infringements etc, or at least warns you so you can avoid it etc?
Always had a good service-level - both with their UK call centre and their online banking service - from the Co-operative Bank. Their trading policies have kept them out of all the news during the banking rollercoaster too. In fact, I think they picked up a building society along the way 
SGirl said:
First Direct? I've always found them to be very helpful. They do charge for minor infringements, but a quick phone call can normally get the charge waived.
You can also set up text message banking to let you know when your balance falls below a certain level, allowing you to avoid fees completely if you transfer cash the same day as it goes overdrawn.V8mate said:
Always had a good service-level - both with their UK call centre and their online banking service - from the Co-operative Bank. Their trading policies have kept them out of all the news during the banking rollercoaster too. In fact, I think they picked up a building society along the way
Britannia.Coco H said:
HSBC premier are ok
Whereas Lloyds Premier I've just kicked into touch in favour of First Direct. The former basically accused me of telling lies saying they had no record of conversations and then got very shirty when I pointed out that all the conversations had been 'recorded for training purposes' by their system. Trying to get those conversations out of the system to prove your point is like pulling hen's teeth. Voted with my feet..I use Citibank in the UK still, and find them to be very good.
Very easy to use online banking with loads of functions.
Telephone banking with people that actually speak english.
Account comes with a GBP250 emergancy overdraft facility at no charge!
Not a problem for me but may be an issue to you is that they don't have many high street branches (Canary Wharf and Hammersmith as i recall)
Very easy to use online banking with loads of functions.
Telephone banking with people that actually speak english.
Account comes with a GBP250 emergancy overdraft facility at no charge!
Not a problem for me but may be an issue to you is that they don't have many high street branches (Canary Wharf and Hammersmith as i recall)
Mr Will said:
SGirl said:
First Direct? I've always found them to be very helpful. They do charge for minor infringements, but a quick phone call can normally get the charge waived.
You can also set up text message banking to let you know when your balance falls below a certain level, allowing you to avoid fees completely if you transfer cash the same day as it goes overdrawn.Do any other banks do the text warnings and offer general good service?
I have been with Alliance and Leicester for ages (since they took over Girobank) and they have been very good.
Their Premier Direct current account is pretty good:
5% credit interest paid up to £2500 (yes 5% in this day and age, for 12 months only though)
0% overdraft for 12 months (limit subject to status, roughly matches your incoming wages deposit to max £2000.)
24hour account servicing via internet or phone/mobile (mobile banking via MONILINK including mobile text alerts etc. although since 1st Jan it costs £1.50/month)
Whenever I have rang up (last time about 2 months ago) it has been to a UK call centre.
Their Premier current account offers free European travel insurance.
Free switching service (for changing DD, standing orders, matching overdrafts etc.)
The criteria for these two accounts is you must deposit a minimum of £500 a month and be over 21.
A&L current accounts are good (excellent for the first 12 months) but for savings I would look elsewhere.
Their Premier Direct current account is pretty good:
5% credit interest paid up to £2500 (yes 5% in this day and age, for 12 months only though)
0% overdraft for 12 months (limit subject to status, roughly matches your incoming wages deposit to max £2000.)
24hour account servicing via internet or phone/mobile (mobile banking via MONILINK including mobile text alerts etc. although since 1st Jan it costs £1.50/month)
Whenever I have rang up (last time about 2 months ago) it has been to a UK call centre.
Their Premier current account offers free European travel insurance.
Free switching service (for changing DD, standing orders, matching overdrafts etc.)
The criteria for these two accounts is you must deposit a minimum of £500 a month and be over 21.
A&L current accounts are good (excellent for the first 12 months) but for savings I would look elsewhere.
jnm23 said:
They're not a bank but fufil the name needs - Nationwide
Free cash withdrawals abroad
You can run a normal (flex) and high interest (e-savings) accounts in parallel and switch money between them instantly
Their esavings pays a pittance and the free overseas transactions will cease in about a months time. (Still cheaper for overseas transactions than most, though).Free cash withdrawals abroad
You can run a normal (flex) and high interest (e-savings) accounts in parallel and switch money between them instantly
http://www.rpoints.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=1343597&...
(Guess who's just moved their money elsewhere....)
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