HSBC Introducing Overdraft arrangement fees

skintlass

ShelfStacker wrote: »

That'll be why. If you went over in the 6 months before the review (i.e. you informally requested an overdraft), you get charged the arrangement fee. The only way to avoid the fee is to not go over or increase your OD limit in the 6 months prior to the review (annual, on the anniversary of your OD limit first being instated.)

Thanks for the info but I think that HSBC has been going down in customer service for years. The last year they have tried to get me to switch to a fee paying account, then they changed my account (along with most peoples accounts I think) and now the o/d charges. Time to see if another bank is better.

skintlass

Mike1989 wrote: »

A&L are now owned by Abbey. For the last two or three years they have been voted worst for customer satisfaction. They are known for having rubbish call centres were staff don't answer your questions and do put the phone down on you before your problem is solved. So by all means switch to avoid the charge, but my advise would be to pick a bank which would offer good customer service and satisfaction.

Was it Abbey who was voted worst for cust satisfaction or A & L?

Mike1989

skintlass wrote: »

Was it Abbey who was voted worst for cust satisfaction or A & L?

It was Abbey, so you may well be fine and still get A&L service. They finished fourth, top was Co-op, followed by Nationwide, then RBS. So I suppose you'll still get their service if you switch to them. Depends on how far down the line A&L's customer service sections get merged with Abbey's, if that's the case then unless Abbey improve drastically you may get their quality service. Might not happen, but, your choice in which bank you go for. Can't remember the link I read it on originally but this has the chart, rubbish quality picture though...

http://www.myfinances.co.uk/news/bank-accounts/banking-practices-and-conduct/co-op-tops-bank-customer-satisfaction-$1239713.htm