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Budgeting & bank accounts

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

How's this for identifying genuine/fraudulent phone calls?
I've just received an email from my bank announcing a new measure in place, which seems to be a simple but effective way to verify that it's genuinely the bank calling me, and not a fraudster, when I receive such a call: I realise that not everyone wants to use banking apps, and the system may be less simple for banks that…
Bank account issues - need an account
Hi all, Apologies in advance for the long post. Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. So basically I need/want a bank account, but simply can't get one. Some background so this all makes sense. I've been married for 15 years. Always had joint bank accounts which was fine as we only just earned enough money to…
Co-op Regular Saver Not Appearing in Online Banking
Has anyone else had issues with the new Co-op 7% Regular Saver not showing up on their online banking? I applied on Thursday when it went live, but couldn't do it from the online banking page as it wasn't showing on the list of accounts available to apply for, so I had to find the page on the main site and apply from there…
Joint current account 2 savings account
I have a joint BoS vantage account with my wife and opened a BoS Regular Savings Account at 5.5% interest and thought, can my wife open one as well. So I logged in as her and yes I could so I now have 2 regular savings accounts paying 5.5%. There is only one problem, whoever is logged in cannot see the other persons…
Keep money in an ISA and pay less deposit on Mortgage, or lay down bigger deposit
Hello I have approx 170,000 in an ISA. A property may be becoming up on the market for say around 300K. With my partner's savings, we could have 230,000 in savings. Would it be better to lay down the money on a deposit, or would it be better to keep some in my ISA? Just wondering if having money kept in ISA would off set…
New HSBC Advance Switch Offer
Get up to £220 when you switch, bank and save with an Advance Account and Online Bonus Saver Get £100 when you open an HSBC Advance Account and switch your existing account using the Current Account Switch Service. Start your switch, including 2+ Direct Debits or standing orders within 30 days, and within 60 days pay…
NATWEST account application
I am in the middle of making an online application for a current account. My proof of address documents have been rejected. The reason for this is because there is a minor difference in the address that I have input for the application and the address on the proof of address document. THE PROBLEM. The problem is that the…
Nationwide Direct Debits list showing wrong dates and amounts
Has anyone had this issue? The last payment dates on my direct debit list changed saying last payment was a completely different date to the normal payment date but it never even came out. I seen this during the week. Now today, all of my direct debits are showing as coming out today but the amounts are showing the same as…
How to find bank accounts opened for my daughter
When my daughter was born, nearly 23 years ago, a close family friend of my parents said that they would like to open a savings account in her name and pay into it on birthdays, Christmas and special occasions. They asked me a couple of times to borrow her birth certificate to open new accounts as they had maxed the one…
Voluntary NI contributions for expats
When I called up today about getting my 18-digit number to pay £840 for a missing year, the person on the phone asked me if I was out of the country that year. When I said yes, she told me that I should call another number and see if I could pay the lesser amount of 163.80 for that year (2014/15). I plan to do that on…
Switching to Natwest select/rewards account
Just tried to switch current accounts to Natwest Rewards and because I have no photo ID (Passport has ran out and I don't drive) I have been told I can switch but because I am not providing photo ID will not get the £200 switch incentive. Has anyone else experienced this and is this the correct information I have been…
Ulster application
Applied online and opted to switch as part of application. Said I was eligible for the account and gave an application reference at the end, but no account details. Nothing received by text or email to login and upload any ID etc. Has anyone else had the same?
Lloyds switch offer Feb 2024
I see from MSE news that Lloyds are, once again, offering a switch incentive. Anyone who's received an incentive since Apr 2020 is not eligible. Who's eligible for the bonus? - You can't have had switch cash from Lloyds or Halifax since April 2020. How to get the £175 bonus: - Open the account online, by phone or in…
Natwest card reader
I'm trying to make a transaction (create a standing order) on my Natwest account. It says the transaction needs approval, and suggests biometric approval (which just doesn't work for me, getting my face where the app wants it is too difficult) or Use a card reader (which is shown as a link). When I click on the link it…
How to find where a payment has gone.
Hi guys, I hope you can help. My husband has a payment that has been taken out of his account by standing order every month since Feb 2010. That's 168 months. It is for £50 and is paid to Natwest, but we have no idea why. He has never had a Natwest bank account, Loan or credit card. He thinks it may be for an old debt, but…
Cynergy Bank
I can't login at present, is it just me or is the system down?
Lloyds Bank switch offer
Hi, I'm with Lloyds for so many years and I was wondering that can I still get the £175? I will use a donor bank account.
Best UK bank to send and recieve to Australia - AUD
Hello, Looking at a move abroad, to Australia in the next 12 months or so, and looking at a current UK bank for a short interim that has the ability to send and recieve AUD. I understand there is services such as WISE and no doubt will use similar but I am looking for a bank that can do this just incase. I currently bank…
Ulster Bank ID help!
Hi i switch to ulster to get the £200 and i put in a ni branch and i dont get a text or email? Please help!
Zopa app: latest version = no savings
I’ve got a Zopa ISA. Zopa is all app-only. Yesterday I could see my savings, with app version 112. Today there’s nothing about savings anywhere on the app version 113. The live chat people were totally unhelpful but I did manage to get them to raise an official complaint. I'm now really worried they’ve got my money and I…

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MSE News

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.
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 Payments 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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