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Budgeting & bank accounts

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

pre loaded debit card wanted
Anyone recommend me one that will allow you to top up with cast from say a whole in the wall or a travel exchange counter or say a pay point Also that allows international transaction worldwide? Thanks
How to send money abroad from Starling account
Anyone know how to send money abroad by bank transfer in euros using IBAN/Swift details from a Starling account? I assume we set up as a new payee but as it is euros and not sterling is this possible?
Totally stupid question: How do we get our two single accounts to a joint under the switching scheme
I say stupid - but evidently from my experience with my own bank this week - it isn't. Because I can't do it. So, me and my fiance are moving in officially together next week after living in and out of each others houses for 7 years. We get married this summer, so it's time to be fully fledged grown ups! He banks with…
Payment Name Display Format in First Direct vs HSBC
I currently hold a bank account with HSBC, and I have noticed that when I make payments or transfers, only my surname appears on the recipient’s end. This has caused some confusion. Upon contacting HSBC, I was informed that this is a standard feature of their system, where only the sender’s surname is displayed. In…
Do I need a business bank account?
Hi! This is the discussion thread for the Do I need a business bank account? guide. If you haven't already, join the forum to reply. Thanks!
First Direct app on Android fails every few months, needs reinstalling
Hi, Every few months, my First Direct app (on Android) just decides to stop working - it gives a "try again later" message, but that never happens - once it's got into this state, it's stuck there. The first time this happened, after over a day of not working, I phoned them up and the helpline said breezily "oh, just…
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…
First Direct Current Account
Can I get the First Direct Current Account without switch? I'm aware that I'd loose out on the £175, but is it available as a 2nd account without switching & would I still have access to the 7% savings account?
NatWest debit card I didn’t apply for
I’ve just got home and have a NatWest debit card I didn’t apply for. I need to report to their fraud team but their automatic number asks for account details I don’t have because it’s not my account. How can I get in touch with a human urgently?
Is the Post Office OK as a bank?
My bank branch in our small town closed so I'm considering opening a current account with the local Post Office. Are they much different from the mainstream banks? All I need is: * A joint current account with cheque book * Credit card * Debit card * Online banking * Standing orders & direct debits Can I use CASS to easily…
Police requesting bank account and sort code
Nearly two years ago, our car had its windows smashed by a distant relative who has issues with my wife and some unhealthy habits. He confessed to the crime and avoided going to court. Instead he has to pay some money to myself and my wife. The Police have asked for our bank account number and sort code, to pass on to him…
Switch from Chase failed due to *incorrect" debit card details
I am trying to switch my second/not main Chase current account to Lloyds for the switch bonus and have received a message from Chase: Hi. Unfortunately we've not been able to complete your switch to LLOYDS BANK PLC. You didn't give the correct card details to LLOYDS BANK PLC, so please check and try again I have tried…
Co-op Bank: Can They Really Be That Bad?
Good afternoon all, Those of you who will have read my posts probably know that I bank with NatWest. I have two current accounts, main one joint with Mrs T and one sole. (A hangover from my share trading days). I’m looking about for an account with another bank for the purpose of emergencies in case I get frozen out of NW.…
TSB £160 switching offer starting 22/01/2025
What’s in the switcher offer? Step 1 £100 switcher bonus * Complete a full switch request when you open an account with us * Log into the TSB Mobile Banking App * Make at least 5 payments using the debit card on your new account * If you do all of this before 14 March 2025, we’ll pay your £100 bonus between 28 March and 11…
Virgin Money regular saver + flexible ISA
Hi guys, was wondering if anyone could help me with the Virgin regular saver (10% one) T&Cs. As I dripfeed from my flexible cash ISA, I want to retain the largest ISA allowance I can for or 25/26. So I plan to empty some savings accounts (not just the Virgin one) to bring my balance up in the ISA just before April 5th and…
Nationwide being crafty
I've just opened a new NationwideFlex account. They're offering £175 if you switch to them by 31st March, so I opened a new account this morning. Except that the earliest date I was offered to switch was 8th April so no windfall for me! I carried on anyway because I'm really unhappy with my bank of many years, Santander.
Opening Lloyds Under 19's Account (regarding LBG applications)
Hi MSE Forum On 3rd February 2025, I opened a Halifax Expresscash Current Account. I'm now interesting in opening a Lloyds Under 19's Account, but I've heard that Lloyds can permaban customers who open too many accounts with LBG in a short space of time. Will I be ok to get this Lloyds Under 19's Account, or should I wait…
Paypal asking for ID
I barely use Paypal (except for 99p a month payment for Apple storage). Had an email from Paypal saying I needed to log in and verify some account details and they've already temporarily limited some features. I logged in (NOT VIA THE EMAIL) and saw they were asking for photo ID and 2 other identity proofs. This annoyed me…
Recurring Payments
Hi I had a Microsoft account for my daughter and realized a while ago I hadn't cancelled the payments, it hasn't been accessed for a few years, would I be entitled to a refund?
Santander should i stay or go..........
So am 64 drive a coach for national express and have a few bank accounts, santander been 1 of them. Today while driving into London i thought to myself am going to switch away from them no real reason or thought process behind the initial thought. I have accounts with santander, halifax, chase, kroo, 1st direct, natwest,…

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MSE News

Martin Lewis: How to call your bank with just three digits – as 'anti-scam' phone number called over a million times
One million calls have been made to the '159' anti-scam phone number since its launch in 2021, new figures reveal today (Wednesday 30 April). MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis – one of the well-known faces most used in scams – explains how to call your bank by dialling just these three numbers.
Revealed: Holland & Barrett's supposedly cheaper 'Subscribe & Save' often costs more – it's promised a review after our investigation
Holland & Barrett's 'Subscribe & Save' scheme claims to offer regular shoppers "the best value" – but it failed to do so in the majority of cases MoneySavingExpert.com checked over a five month period. The retailer has now promised to review the scheme after our research found it was often more expensive.
Don't get your passport by post – 360,000 paid more than needed last year
If your passport is due for renewal, apply online if you can – it'll save you £12.50. More than 7 million Brits did just that last year – but over 360,000 missed out on savings by using a paper form instead, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal.
Sainsbury’s Bank customer? NatWest takes over this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
Sainsbury's Bank's savings, credit cards and loans will be taken over by NatWest from Thursday 1 May. For most, this means little will change for now as the Sainsbury's Bank brand will remain, though it's expected to be phased out towards the end of this year. However, if you've over £85,000 saved across both banks, it's worth considering moving any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.
Chase customer? Check if you can get its newly boosted 4.8% easy-access saver
If you've got a Chase account, check if you can boost your easy-access savings to 4.8% – made up of a 1.8% AER fixed six-month bonus plus its standard 3% variable rate. Chase says over 2 million customers can get the boost, which would top our normal savings tables if it were open to all, though it's beaten by the top easy-access cash ISAs.
NatWest to complete takeover of Sainsbury's Bank this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
Sainsbury's Bank's savings, credit cards and loans will be taken over by NatWest from Thursday 1 May. For most, this means little will change for now as the Sainsbury's Bank brand will remain, though it's expected to be phased out towards the end of this year. However, if you've over £85,000 saved across both banks, it's worth considering moving any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.
Martin Lewis: Is the £20,000 cash ISA limit about to be killed off? What savers should be doing now
Plans to cut the £20,000 cash ISA limit later this year are being considered by the Government. In his latest video, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains what's likely to happen, what the changes would mean for savers and what you should be doing now.
NatWest to complete takeover of Sainsbury's Bank this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
Sainsbury's Bank's savings, credit cards and loans will be taken over by NatWest from 1 May. For most, this means little change for now as the Sainsbury’s brand will remain, though it's expected to be phased out towards the end of this year. However, if you've over £85,000 saved across both banks, you'll need to move any excess elsewhere to ensure your cash remains protected.
NatWest to complete takeover of Sainsbury's Bank this week – here's what it means for savers and borrowers
From Thursday 1 May, Sainsbury's Bank credit cards, loans and savings accounts will be run by NatWest as part of a deal between the two banks. You'll be moved to NatWest in the future, likely towards the end of this year, but for now the Sainsbury's Bank brand will remain and you can continue to use its products and services as before.

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Budgeting & bank accounts

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