Alliance & Leicester Premier a/c - to be closed?

Leigh73

Hi,

I opened an A&L a/c back in March, but never got around to using it, and continued to use my Co-op basic 'Cashminder' (think it's called) a/c which I've now had since 2004 and ran well.

Wished I'd used my A&L a/c now, as they sent me a letter dated 8th of July saying that unless I funded it with £500 "this month" (is that a month from 8th July or by the end of July does anyone know?) they would close the a/c.

The letter does however, go on to contradict itself, by saying that if I deposit less than the £500 minimum (no way I can afford this for the next month or two, since starting a new job yesterday), they'll keep the a/c open but will charge me £5 a month while I'm depositing less than the £500.

I can deposit £40 into the a/c on Thursday, and will be able to have my salary paid in (fortnightly) soon, but am just worried that they'll close the a/c now, and it was my first half - decent a/c ('proper' Visa debit card) in ages

Any of you guys experience of this situation with the A&L, and whether they'll allow a few days for my first (tiny, but something..) deposit?

Thanks,

Leigh.

apt

You can avoid the £5 charge by putting the £40 in and out of your account 13 times.

silversilver

You say that you havent used the account, but then you say:

"I can deposit £40 into the a/c on Thursday, and will be able to have my salary paid in (fortnightly) soon, but am just worried that they'll close the a/c now, and it was my first half - decent a/c ('proper' Visa debit card) in ages "

If you havent used it up until now, and dont really intend to use it, and are happy with the account you have at the co-op, while prolong things and risk incurring fees for under-funding your account?

I would suggest that you just contact them, explain that you have not used the account, you recieved the letter and want to close the account, then when you are ready to open another account, do it then and make sure you use it.

YorkshireBoy

If you do want to keep a second account (especially since it has the full Visa Debit card facilities you desire), just downgrade the A&L Premier to a standard account...ie one that doesn't have a monthly funding requirement.

Leigh73

Thanks all.

I'd like to keep the A&L a/c if I can, as I will be depositing more than £500 a month as of next month, with my salary.

However, I just hope they haven't decided to close it in the meantime!

The Co-op basic a/c is fine for what I need, but if I'm honest I would prefer the A&L both as a back up as well as for the 'normal' Visa debit card (no cheque guarantee or o/d - don't want them!) rather than the Co-op's Electron card, but this is a minor thing all the same.

YorkshireBoy - I think the standard a/c may only offer me Electron as opposed to Visa Debit. Also, as I say, the minimum funding req of £500 won't be a problem from next month, just so long as I can get my debts under control asap, which I will!

Thanks again,

Leigh.

System

They'll actually change very little.
You'll keep the Visa Debit card, cheque books you have.

They just remove the credit interest, and free insurance.
Might be worth doing, so you don't have to worry in the future?

Leigh73 wrote: »

Thanks all.

I'd like to keep the A&L a/c if I can, as I will be depositing more than £500 a month as of next month, with my salary.

However, I just hope they haven't decided to close it in the meantime!

The Co-op basic a/c is fine for what I need, but if I'm honest I would prefer the A&L both as a back up as well as for the 'normal' Visa debit card (no cheque guarantee or o/d - don't want them!) rather than the Co-op's Electron card, but this is a minor thing all the same.

YorkshireBoy - I think the standard a/c may only offer me Electron as opposed to Visa Debit. Also, as I say, the minimum funding req of £500 won't be a problem from next month, just so long as I can get my debts under control asap, which I will!

Thanks again,

Leigh.

Leigh73

Thanks for the info Heng Leng. That's good to know.

Just got back from the A&L now, having deposited £100 into my a/c.

Showed the girl at the counter the letter I'd received from them, and she confirmed that the a/c is still open, and there were no plans to close it.

She also said that they probably wouldn't charge me the £5 monthly fee for a few months of using it anyway, even if it's under the £500 min deposit.

However, as of next month, I'll be depositing more than the £500 of my salary anyway, so I shouldn't be charged at all.

Am just relieved to keep this a/c.

Can anyone on the boards here, confirm that the A&L Premier a/c is a good a/c in their experience?

Thanks,

Leigh.

Leigh73

PS - Also, re the Visa Debit card, I have the one without the cheque guarantee facility, which is fine, as I don't want any credit.

However, can anyone confirm whether or not this comes up at retailers, as a normal Visa or is it essentially a rebranded Electron?

Cheers,

Leigh.

cifpower

It comes up as a normal Visa Debit card. I dont have the cheque guarantee function either.

Leigh73

Thanks cifpower.

Do you find it's a good a/c, and that the A&L are OK?

cifpower

Leigh73 wrote: »

Thanks cifpower.

Do you find it's a good a/c, and that the A&L are OK?

Sorry, I think I may have misled you. I have a Halifax account and with that I only have a Visa Debit with no cheque guarantee function. My friend has a standard A&L account with the same Visa Debit card and he really likes it.