Budgeting & bank accounts

Archives for February 2007

changing current accounts. Close or not to close
:confused: Does anyone know whether changingbank acounts impacts on your credit worthiness. I'm interested as I card tart and length of time you've had a bank account seems a major question. I have had mine over 21 years- I know time to change. I have opened an A&l premier account and want to know whether to keep my…
First Direct & HSBC
Hi, We have just moved our personal accounts away from Barclays and into a single First Direct account. I still have my business account with Barclays and am intending to move this to HSBC. My question is, what is the clearance time for BACS between HSBC and First Direct?
SWITCHING SERVICE alliance and leicester
i have just opened an Alliance and Leicester account as i am in the process of reclaiming my bank charges with HSBC and want to close my account with them The Alliance and Leicester have a switching service where they transfer , direct debits , salary etc.. and close your exsisting account I wondered if anyone had used…
Anyone Struggling To Get An Account?
Go to yorkshire, I had seen other people most about it but wasnt convinced it would be so easy. Popped in there at 12 today to open an account was out by 12.30, signed a couple of forms showed my passport. Easy as that. Really friendly staff, did try to sell me other things like savings, mortgage etc but were ok when I…
US bank acount for non-residents, it is impossible?
Hi, now it is nearly a Year I was looking for getting a real US based bank account for me as a non-resident from Europe. That bank account should have at least a Visa or Mastercard debit or ATM card. Maybe someone here has a idea where to get one ( if this is still possible, I don´t know ) I have heard that a stockbroker…
Advice for Budgeting - self employed!
Hello Myself and my fiance have just bought our first home and we have saved money etc to prepare us for bills etc but i am just wondering the best way to budget for when he is off - he is self employed and so when he is off on holiday etc he does not get paid - does anyone have any ideas what to put aside per month etc…
out-of-date cheque
A question for the bankers among you: I have an out-of-date cheque in my position for several hundred pounds. Its actually a few years old now as it fell down between a set of drawers. Obviously it can't be cashed now in its current form. My quandry is..have I a legal claim on theses funds or because I failed to lodge them…
Dormant Account
I lived in New Zealand for a year on a working holiday. I had a First Direct account with one direct debit of £60 going out each month. This was fine whilst i was in credit but as soon as i dipped into my overdraft i was sent a letter stating that as no money had been paid into my account for a few months (even though i…
Current Account for Business - Advice Please
Hello. Apologies if this is in the wrong place. I am currently trying to set up things to trade under my business name. for the moment, I just want to be able to build up a presence, nothing all that big, trading on eBay, but having people able to pay me in the name of the business. i probably don't need nor want all of…
Overun with customers requesting 6 years bank statements
I work for Natwest, today we have had loads of people asking for duplicate statements for the last 6 years. Martins programme is obviously having the desired effect. I totally agree.:T
Foreign currency cheque or wire transfer
Hi, I hope I am posting this in the right forum. If not, please feel free to move it to the right forum. What is usually the best way to transfer some US Dollar funds into UK current account - a) Wire transfer in USD b) Getting a cheque (by mail) in USD Are the currency conversion rates same for cheques and wire transfer…
Alliance & Leicester Premier Direct Current Account Interest Rate - existing customer
I opened my premier direct current account back in July 2005 when the terms and conditions said the interest rate was fixed at 5% until July 2007 (or thereabouts). If I follow the links when I'm online to find out my interest rate it says premier direct is 6.1%. Does anyone know whether this will apply to me as an existing…
Cheque for ICEsave
I normally transfer money to my ICEsave account by direct debit; however I have a cheque I'd like to pay into it directly, but there's no guidance as to how I go about doing this. Has anyone any experience of sending them a cheque, since I don't want to send it to their Freepost address and risk losing it in the system.
Girlfriend left me with all joint debts any tips?
In a nut shell I came home last April to find my girlfriend had departed and had taken a car and most of the stock of a now defunct buisiness. I understand she is now abroad. The joint current account is 857 overdrawn, lloyds are now threatening me with legal action for the whole amount. They have made no attempt to…
girlfriend Debit card problems
hello all, i'm after a bit of advice my girlfriend who is a Slovenian national moved to the UK back in September. She was seeking employment so we tried to get a bank account set up, I bank with Lloyds TSB so we got her one there, I had to introduce her as a customer before they would give her a current account Now the…
Current Accounts with bad credit
Help am new to this I am looking to open a new bank account (just incase when I try to reclaim my bank charges they close my account). I cant find a bank account because of a bad credit rating. I havent had any issues within the last year, but prior to that had major issues with credit and think my score was about 4 which…
Getting fraudulent withdrawals back from Halifax
A month ago I had £200 taken from my account in 2 amounts, paid through to Betfair in London. As soon as I found out I rang their customer services, who gave the obligatory "we're looking into it" reply. The same day I went to the bank and explained what happened - was asked a few questions while the person filled in a…
RBOS Highline card
Just appiled for an account with RBOS and I will recieve a highline card. Does anyone else have one? Whats it like? What functions? Is it embossed (silver type writing) ((sorry just like nice looking cards, I remember the green abbey one - yuk that was gross) Any anwsers thanks in advance ;)
Spot the Mutual
From the front page of today's Sunday Times Money Section - Nationwide's incoming boss, Graham Beale, also said he would consider introducing current-account fees. He said: "If the industry changes its approach we would follow" However, Barclays boss John Varley said last week he remained committed to free banking. Proud…
Cash machine didn't give out £50 but bank says it did
Hi, A friend of mine recently withdrew £50 at a cash machine, but although it whirred away for a bit, no money came out. The branch was closed so he couldn't go in and ask about it. When he contacted his bank to sort it out, they won't believe him - he is a student and maybe they just don't trust him. According to their…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

MSE News

Barclaycard's cutting minimum repayments – you could be in debt YEARS longer paying DOUBLE the interest
If you've got debt on a Barclaycard, it's likely the minimum you have to repay each month will be cut from July. If you're unaware, and don't act, you could stay in debt for many years longer and pay possibly £1,000s more in interest.
NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank to close at least 100 branches in 2024/25 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, which are all part of the NatWest Group, will shut at least 100 of their bank branches in 2024/25, after RBS announced a further 18 closures.
Co-op Bank customer? You could be moved to Coventry Building Society in future – here's what's happening
The building society has today agreed to a potential takeover of the high street bank – though it's still very early days and the deal needs regulatory approval.
Got a text, email or letter from the Met Police? Don't ignore it – you may need to act to protect yourself from scams
If you got a text message or email from the Metropolitan Police between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday 17 April – or you get a letter in the next few days – don't ignore it.
Save up to £1 on your takeaway coffee – while saving the planet
Many of us regularly reach for a cup of coffee or tea to give us a caffeine boost, but if you’re out and about and can't bring a thermos from home, the cost of this can quickly mount up.
Chase customer? Check if you can get its boosted 5.1% easy-access saver
If you have a Chase current account, you may be able to get a table-topping 5.1% easy-access savings rate to go with it, as the bank has launched a new, temporary bonus offer for some existing customers.
New online state pension boosting tool promised to Martin Lewis hit by delays – here's what you need to know
The tool was first promised to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live last summer and was expected to launch before the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
Spotify to hike prices by up to £24 a year – here's what's happening
If you've got a Spotify Individual, Duo or Family account you'll see prices rise by up to £2 a month (equivalent to £24 a year) in a month's time, the music streaming service has announced.
Subway customer? You've got until 14 May to use your loyalty scheme points before shake-up – here's what's happening
If you're a Subway Rewards member, you have until the end of Tuesday 14 May to spend any points you've built up – or lose them entirely.

View All

Budgeting & bank accounts

Discussion List

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free