News

**MSE Dan** · 28-02-2005, 6:53 PM

This discussion relates to the updated Best Current Accounts Article.

Click reply to discuss.

pinkfluffybabe · 28-02-2005, 9:17 PM

Am glad to see the LTSB Classic Plus is still a good buy! I moved there last July after a disasterous year with the Halifax. They have been very good so far.

Christine

gingerdad · 01-03-2005, 9:35 AM

I'm with A&L, the account is fine customer service is questionable. coming to the end of my 12 month 0% so may move to Nationwide as will still be using the overdraft most months.

GD

JoSchmo · 01-03-2005, 10:24 AM

I've been turned down for both the Premier Plus and Premier accounts since reading the article

I've been with HSBC for about 5 years - have £1400 overdraft, £400 on a credit card and a £9,000 professional studies loan. My wages are about £1300 a month.

But I've just moved house this weekend and haven't been at an address prior to this for longer than 6 months - at some addresses I wasn't on the electoral roll as I was staying with friends - does anyone know if this is why I've been turned down?

Also if there's anything I can do to get them to reconsider?

(Hope this is the right place to post this by the way!)

grumbler · 03-03-2005, 1:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin(article)

The policy offered is an annual multi-trip policy for an individual. It can be upgraded for a couple or family for an additional £48

This is true. However, for joint accounts both account holders get free insuranse. And minimum pay-in is still the same £1000 for joint account.

plymouth janner boy · 03-03-2005, 1:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfluffybabe

Am glad to see the LTSB Classic Plus is still a good buy! I moved there last July after a disasterous year with the Halifax. They have been very good so far.

Christine

I'm thinking of swapping from my hsbc graduate account to the lloydstsb current account for both the 4% interest rate and the £50 incentive. Would you advise this? I know Martin hates HSBC!

Can my partner (who lives with me) open an account as well and recieve £50?

grumbler · 03-03-2005, 2:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plymouth janner boy

I'm thinking of swapping from my hsbc graduate account to the lloydstsb current account for both the 4% interest rate and the £50 incentive. Would you advise this? I know Martin hates HSBC!

Can my partner (who lives with me) open an account as well and recieve £50?

You do not need to swap. Just apply for a new account. However, if you want 4% you must
"agree to pay in a minimum of £2,000 a month (if you agree to pay in a minimum of £1,000 a month you will still earn 3.75% AER* / 3.69% Gross*)".

If you recommend your partner after opening your account both of you will get £50, i.e. you will get another £50!

semi_artificial · 03-03-2005, 3:21 PM

Re: the HSB £50, for how long do you have to pay in £1000?
Could you just pay in a couple of months and then stop once you get your £50.
Couldn't spot anything about this in the online details.

grumbler · 03-03-2005, 3:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semi_artificial

Re: the HSB £50, for how long do you have to pay in £1000?
Could you just pay in a couple of months and then stop once you get your £50.
Couldn't spot anything about this in the online details.

'Recommend a friend - and get £50 yourself
Tell a friend/ family member just how good banking with Lloyds TSB is and you could both be £50 better off.
If they open a Classic, Plus, Premier, Added Value, Under 19 or Graduate current account and set up a regular credit of £500 or more per month within 2 months of opening the account, we'll pay £50 within 31 days into their new account once their first credit is received, to say welcome.
We'll then pay £50 into your account to say thank you.'

The only question is how they know that the credit is regular after receiving just one payment.

I am still waiting when 31 days pass for our 2x£50...

robthomas · 03-03-2005, 4:26 PM

any thoughts on this ethical internet account?
they offer free travel and breakdown for £6/month, and seem to have possibility of increasing o/drafts.
i'd like to move out of hsbc territory.
thanks

robthomas · 03-03-2005, 4:28 PM

sorry, i'm investigated the co-op's Smile account.
thanks!
rob

Talon Karrde · 06-03-2005, 12:03 AM

I have a query about changing banks?? Does it matter if you change accounts? I mean, in that they have you as a valued customer etc.....i mean, i have a good O/D facility and a high limit on my Mastercard (which i don't use now, due to better rates and stoozing, but it's nice to know it's there) with NatWest
My worry is if i switch, then i will lose any benefit i might have had with an institution that has known me for years, and i also know the manager of the branch where the account is held through my dad who used to work for a former subsidary, so can get personal service when required..

So, my question is, is it worth it? Do you only gain now that computers and databases are used mainly for "decision making" nowadays?

Also, finally, which is best? LTSB sounds the best finacially, but from this and the other thread customer service sounds iffy, A&L sounds Ok....but Smile seems to win on service grounds but is over 1% less on interest rates

I have O/D facility on NatWest but never use it, and am in credit to an average of £1200 - £2000 every month.....

cheers for advice!

Talon Karrde · 06-03-2005, 10:22 PM

just bumping to get some interest!!

grumbler · 07-03-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumbler

'Recommend a friend - and get £50 yourself. Tell a friend/ family member just how good banking with Lloyds TSB is and you could both be £50 better off.....'

The only question is how they know that the credit is regular after receiving just one payment.

I am still waiting when 31 days pass for our 2x£50...

Now I know the answer to my question. Just a few days after the first payment both of us received letters confirming £50 credit.

SamC · 07-03-2005, 11:13 AM

I'd also like to know how much effect on your credit rating changing current accounts would have. One of the questions on applications is always "how long have you been with your bank?".

I've been with Smile for ages and service has been pretty good but they don't have any form of statement download to MSMoney or Quicken, which is annoying. I asked them recently if they were planning to implement it but they sounded pessimistic. The LloydsTSB account has both forms of download so I may switch there.

grumbler · 07-03-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamC

how much effect on your credit rating changing current accounts would have. One of the questions on applications is always "how long have you been with your bank?".

Usually you do not have to change current account. You can just apply for a new one and keep the old account as long as you want. I have just £1 on my Smile current account for a few years.

Talon Karrde · 09-03-2005, 11:45 PM

Does anyone please have an opinion on the following....
Hav decided to change bank accounts, but due to not wanting NatWest to forget me will not close theirs...
Should I...
a) open Lloyds TSB for 50 quid (service issues)
b) open A+L for 20 quid
c) open smile (no cashback, but good service?)
d) none of the above - move to nationwide where my mortgage is (for the moment)?

please...comments??

BrightonLad · 10-03-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkfluffybabe

Am glad to see the LTSB Classic Plus is still a good buy! I moved there last July after a disasterous year with the Halifax. They have been very good so far.

Christine

i am a big fan of the Lloyds Classic Plus too, moved there last may from Cahoot. (i was finding it difficult to use internet banking all the time for what i required, so wanted a branch based account)

Don't know if they still offering it, but they matched my £1200 overdraft i had with cahoot, at 0% for a whole year. Think the £50 incentive has replaced that offer now, which is excellent too.

Also i received a mailing this week which said... (correct me if i'm wrong someone, as i've thrown it away now) you now longer have to agree to pay in £2000 to get the high rate of interest, just 1000.

pinkfluffybabe · 10-03-2005, 10:59 PM

I have never had any problems with LTSB customer service, i've always found them very helpful and fast at getting things done. I think with banks sometimes its down to luck if you have problems. I certainly felt that LTSB dealt very well with my transfer of all my direct debits etc to my account and kept me well informed every step of the way.

koru · 11-03-2005, 3:01 PM

I think Martin unfairly overlooked IF Bank in his article.

If you have a savings account with at least £1 in it, they pay you the savings interest rate on your current account. That means you earn 4.75% interest on your current account, regardless of the balance. OK, so no cash bung to make you join, but if you have a fair amount in your account you earn a lot more interest.