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Budgeting & bank accounts

Archives for March 2018

Ring-fencing query
I've got a letter from RBS about ring-fencing and would appreciate some clarification please. Once sentence reads: As my account is with the Childs & Co branch of RBS what branding will I have at the end of April? Adams & Co or RBS?
Everyone flocking to Santander?
I read a news article which said everyone is flocking to Santander and they are gaining a significantly more new customers and current account switchers compared to other banks? Why is this? Anything in particular? Better rewards, cashback, customer service, better brand? Etc Curious on other people’s thoughts if you’ve…
Which bank account for immediate transaction visibility
I have an account with Halifax and a separate Santander account that I use for bills. When I use my card to make a transaction with Halifax (contactless or PIN) I can log into the app and see the transaction instantly about 90% of the time. If it isn't instant it is always the same day. Santander however have no feature…
Cheque payments: how soon do they appear in account?
Hi there, Looking for some info on how long it takes a cheque to be credited to a payee's account. I'm not interested in how long it takes for the funds themselves to be cleared and available to spend, just want to know, for possible audit reasons, how long it takes for the payment to appear on a bank statement. Very…
TSB log in issues
Anyone else struggling?
post office online saver
How long does it take to open a post office online saver? I've sent them the documents they asked for but haven't heard back yet.
Open account online without going into branch
Hi everyone Which bank will let me open a current account online without having to go down to the branch to show ID? (I don't need overdraft allowance if that makes any difference). I know 3 people who opened a Nationwide current account recently. Two did not have to go down to the branch, and one did. I called customer…
First Direct international payments being sent next working day
Anyone else found that standard international payments setup over phone (£4 fee) or online (free) to EU are being sent next working day ? They introduced new system around September last year. Since then international payments seem to go out next working day. Foreign services advisors say it is because payments are…
Natwest log in problem ?
I am unable to log in to NatWest. Does any know if there is a problem with them, or is it me ?
Outgoings to high
I think my outgoing are to high and need to get these down. Here is a breakdown all the figures posted are the best deals I can currently get by shopping around: No mortgage or rent: These are yearly figures: Council Tax: £1170 My car insur: £1000 Wife car insur: £760 Road tax 1: £150 Road tax 2: £135 M.O.T x2: £70 Water…
Bank accounts with interest
Hi, Just a quick Q. I have multiple accounts that are earning me interest on balances (TSB, Santander, Tesco etc) Speaking to someone at Santander and she said this is pointless and I'd be better off putting all my money in a Santander account (1.5%) To me, it sounds inaccurate. Surely, If TSB is 3% up to £1500 (and I have…
Aged 37, No savings or Mortgage or Job
I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post in - please advise if it would be better elsewhere. I'm a bit embarrassed posting this - sometimes you write something down after avoiding thinking about it and the problems looms quite big, large and foolishly. I'm worried about by financial situation, the future and how to…
Santander 1-2-3 still worth it?
I'm toying with the idea of ditching one of our Santander 123 current accounts (possibly the joint one). After taking into account the cost of maintaining direct debits and the monthly fee, I am earning 27p less per month in this account than I would be if I kept that £20k in my mortgage offset. So the only reason I…
Fraud prevention contact
A bizarre question. Are there any banks that just text instead of calling for fraud prevention? I ask because my recent Tesco experience of missing their call lead to a 30-minute call and I'd rather avoid that in the future and just be able to reply to an SMS with a "Yes it was me."
Clean slate or valuable history?
Sat here with my friend tonight talking - he’s been unemployed for 9 months due to a major operation and in turn got into financial difficulty. He’s okay now and just got back into work. A year ago he opened his Barclays account but for the last 9 months it’s been in and out of an unauthorised overdraft, but now his…
The Alternative to a Joint Bank Account
Hi All! So me and my partner are going to be moving in together soon. And one of the big issues to tackle is how we're going to pay for bills. We are against having a joint bank account simply because of the short time we have been together and we don't want our credit scores linked yet. So we're looking at bank accounts.…
Mega difficult form requested by HSBC
Could someone be that kind and help me with the completion of the [FONT=&quot]W8-BENE [/FONT]form [FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]http://www.fatca.hsbc.com/~/media/fatca/pdfs/w8-ben-e-form.pdf[/FONT] They provide a so called instruction [/FONT]…
Lloyd's - anyone offer an opinion?
After finding out Santander block their app on rooted devices, thinking of other banks for our main joint account. Club Lloyd's account, any good? Can I choose different options each year (IE, cinema one year, magazine the next?)? Not really interested in First Direct as they might be good with customer service but their…
LISA loophole
Hi all I opened a H2B ISA just before the end of the tax year 17/18 and transferred in £1200 and £200 every month thereafter. I have recently transferred the H2B ISA to a LISA and topped the LISA up to £4000. However I was reading about a loophole that allows the bonus to also be paid on ISA contributions prior to this…
TSB - anyone offer an opinion?
Am thinking it's time, with great regret, to switch away from the Co-op for our joint current a/c. There is a TSB branch quite local to us and it would be a bonus to be able to speak with a human being face to face if the need arose. My query relates to customer service otherwise. Specifically, do they have phone banking…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Budgeting & bank accounts

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