Nationwide Current account or Halifax ?

morganlefay

Arrgh, my head is spinning with information overload (but great info, thanks, Martin) I have decided to close the Natwest Current account which I have had for 50 (yes, 50) years since they want me to pay an annual fee of £293.00 - for which I feel I get nothing. I go to France a lot and am considering a Nationwide current account since they do not charge for cash withdrawals (I already have one of their credit cards which don't charge extra for purchases in France) OR a Halifax account - the one which pays you £5 monthly if you pay in so much. I really can't decide. Does anyone have experience for or against either of these accounts ? I don't get overdrawn and don't keep a huge balance in the account on a regular basis but I want an account which is easy to use (internet bill payment facilities which work) and just the usual stuff. The Natwest TV ads nauseate me and I wonder how much of my annual £293.00 goes to Fred Goodwin.
Any views greatly appreciated..........

td_007

I have both and specifically use Nationwide debit card for foreign currency and Halifax for the Reward. Both have decent online access (though I feel Halifax has the edge). Also, have a Nationwide card (easy to get if you are an a/c holder) for foreign usage.

Kavanne

Just to let you know you can have a free account with natwest. go to any branch or write a letter and ask to downgrade to 'Current plus'. There is no monthly fee for having this account

Inactive

Kavanne wrote: »

Just to let you know you can have a free account with natwest. go to any branch or write a letter and ask to downgrade to 'Current plus'. There is no monthly fee for having this account

Indeed, but I have to wonder how the OP ended up with a fee paying account when free alternatives are available??

More shifty selling by NatWest Staff???

morganlefay

I've banked with Natwest since I was 17 (am now 67) and when I was a reasonably high earner had this account which gives a big overdraft (which I have never used) and lots of other 'free' stuff. I think the account used to be free, then they started charging a bit, and the charges have just gone up and up. I felt nervous about changing banks, but this year the worm is turning - what a waste of £293.00 when I don't actually use the 'free' extras (travel insurance and stuff like that) And I have mightily gone off the Natwest (not just because of Fred Goodwin but because I can never get hold of my so-called "Relationship manager" - who changes all the time and has recently moved offices, so now I don't know who he/she is or where he/she is.And because I think their TV ads are all such LIES). I would never have bothered without all the good advice on this site.
I like td_007's idea of having both a Nationwide account and a Halifax one(never thought of that) and will probably do that.
Thanks a lot.......:beer:

Bobby75_2

I've got a Nationwide bank account and found it very useful. There's no charge for using your card in Europe meaning no hidden charges!! The only charge that Nationwide make is to transactions made outside of Europe - and I rarely go that far afield anyway.

FluffyFiFi

I'm a bit biased as I work for Nationwide but I had their Flexaccount before I joined them as an employee and have to say I am really pleased with the account. It does depend on your local branch as to the service you get, however I've used the Flex throughout Europe and USA and have never had a problem with it.

flyingscotno1

Why not have both- then you get the best of both worlds! :T

morganlefay

Have just applied for the Halifax account but when I tried to do the same for the Nationwide one it asked if I was planning to use this as my 'main' account ie have my salary paid in there. I said no, and they said 'well you can't have an account then...' I could do the thing with the Halifax and move the money around, but I'm not organised enough and would be bound to get it wrong some months. I was planning to use the nationwide like a small savings account but use it when abroad, but it seems I can't do that. have you got any ideas FluffyFiFi ?

FluffyFiFi

morganlefay wrote: »

Have just applied for the Halifax account but when I tried to do the same for the Nationwide one it asked if I was planning to use this as my 'main' account ie have my salary paid in there. I said no, and they said 'well you can't have an account then...' I could do the thing with the Halifax and move the money around, but I'm not organised enough and would be bound to get it wrong some months. I was planning to use the nationwide like a small savings account but use it when abroad, but it seems I can't do that. have you got any ideas FluffyFiFi ?

The problem is Nationwide has got wise to everyone using the Flexaccount for their trips abroad and they do not think this is fair. If you want I could try and get you an account through the branch I work at, just send the application to my branch and I will see what I can do. PM me if you want me to do this.

scott_lithgows

Nationwide wins easily in my opinion