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Budgeting & bank accounts

Discuss bank accounts, banking apps, budgeting hacks and how to organise your money.

Minimum balance to generate DD
Not sure if this is more appropriate to Credit Card forum, but here goes: I need to generate a monthly DD on my BoS current account. I have set up a DD to pay Full Balance on a little used Barclaycard. The amount due each month will be £0.99. Can anyone confirm that Barclaycard will request the DD every month for such a…
swap old bank notes
I have £80 in "paper" £20 notes and need to swap them for the newer ones. I can't believe how difficult this is now! In the past I've walked into a High Street bank branch and they've swapped them happily, even if I didn't hold an account with them. Now I can only find the following options: 1. Return them to a bank:…
First Direct Joint to First Direct Sole - salary now missing
As per title really. Closed my joint account earlier part of this month following divorce and opened up a sole account with First Direct. Was informed that everything would be transferred over and any credits or debits sent to my old joint account would be automatically transferred to my new sole account. Pay day today and…
Santander Switch Direct debits question
If you switch to santander for the switching bonus, does the donor account need to have 2 DD set up, or can you add them after the switch to the santander account itself?
Switching
I think I'm finally being persuaded to switch to First Direct. The wife and I have a joint account and I have a single account with Santander. If I switch only the single account, will I still get the full rewards of the switch?
First Direct/topcashback offer
I just received a email from TCB about opening a First direct account.Does anyone know if i apply for a account through TCB will that qualify for the £45?I dont currently have and First direct accounts, but did have a current account a few years ago.I understand i wont qualify for the £175 switching offer
Convert to a Joint Account
I want to convert my current account to a joint account with my wife. I emailed the bank and the process requires a lot of rigmarole. Does anyone know if it would be less hassle to just create a new joint account and then transfer all into it? Can you do one of those handy account switches within the same bank?
Potential Tide Buyer Scam??
Hi, Need some advice with this. Have just had an item sold on FB marketplace and having agreed on bank transfer the buyer is now saying they have to send an extra £200 to my account which I then have to pay back to them as they are using a ‘Tide Premium Buisness’ account. I received a dodgy looking email from Tide?? If it…
Deposited £700 in internal bank cash machine. Now missing.
Hello all. I gave my son cash for his rent while he is at university. To the tune of £1k, just as a surprise after Xmas. He walked into RBS in glasgow and deposited it into a cash machine inside the bank. After a minute or so it returned 300 and then reset, didn't return the money but did return his card. He then went to…
Bank and PayPal history: how much can be retrieved?
I'm helping someone find transactions from years ago, and it appears that their Santander personal banking statements are only available for 7 years. Anyone have experience of obtaining older transactions? Also: we've read that 7 years of personal PayPal history is downloadable. But we can only seem to see 3 years. Does…
Lloyds Close More Branches While Their Online Banking Fails
It was today announced that Lloyds Bank are closing more branches because apparently everyone is doing their banking online and all much prefer it. I'm that would be great, except for the fact that the technology frequently fails. What are people supposed to do then? This week I have had to make two payments to new…
Applying for a Current Account after paying off a DMP
Hi I paid off my DMP in Feb 2023. I just contacted Virgin Money as i need a cheque book to pay for something.They do not offer a cheque book with their basic account, M Plus Account. Has anyone had any success getting a new back account after paying off their DMP? I am trying to build up my credit rating by paying off a…
Two questions re bank switches
I would like to take the switch opportunity to joing Nationwide, the bank I will switch from is First Direct which is basically just a burner account with no funds and no direct debits. I am thinking f using the website 50pdirectdebits. Any feedback on them? Is everything straight forward? Also, switching from First Direct…
Bank Switch - when can I start again.
Last year I completed all the bank switches available, so I was wondering how long I need to leave it before I can re-start switching with the same banks?
Joint Account with Different pots to save in
Hi , looking for a advise on a new joint accont with my fiancé. But want to have seperate named saving pots so we can have e.g holiday fund , repairs etc., Christmas etc etc. So we can transfer money into them either on a standing order or move manually. Hopefully someone can help. Thanks in advance.
Nationwide Flex Plus price increase?
Now that it’s £18 I’m considering moving to Virgin. Has anyone done the analysis of how the insurances compare between the two? I have a HSBC premier account that has free travel insurance with it, are there any other packages I can buy to get the mobile and breakdown cover cheaper than the virgin account?
Switching bank
Hello I am always tempted to switch banks for an incentive but often hold back as I'm not sure if I fail their criteria for getting bonus. Can I check my previous banking history, ie what banks I've been with in the past to then know if I qualify for bonus. Thanks
Should l do this for switching offer?
I've currently have a Natwest current account and am thinking of trying to open a second one for the sole purpose of switching to Santander. The original NW account is attached to an isa with a few thousand in it. Hence why l wouldn't use it for the switch. If l do go ahead with it and switch the NW account straight away…
Starling ripping off their best customers
My wife uses a Starling current account. From Feb 15 it will no longer pay any interest at all, but they have introduced an Easy Saver account which does. On the app she tried many times to apply for this but it kept saying she was "ineligible". Recently the application seemed to progress a bit further to being reviewed.…
HSBC app - wrong numbers / values displayed?
Hi, I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced something similar. My husband and I were checking our mortgage balance online, and then we requested a redemption quote. When we returned to the account, we noticed that the balance had 'suddenly' increased by £4,000.00. When we called HSBC, they told us it was impossible…

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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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