Best student bank account offers

pink_phantom

Does anybody know the best student account to apply for? It will have about £600 going in a month. Also what is the best incentives for the accounts, preferably not rail cards as I have a car.x

Chalky87

I have a Smile Online student account, that's quite good. A decent rate as well. Have a look on their website smile.co.uk and see what you think. Also they don't mind you having other bank accounts. :beer:

newsmonkey

Most of the big banks haven't unveiled their student account offerings yet. Royal Bank of Scotland have though - details here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=201322

One bank is giving away a popular music-related gadget, but I'm not allowed to say who until July.

techno_geek

I think Martin Lewis' advice from the 2005 Student Accounts article remains valid...

If you don't want the NatWest Railcard incentive, go with Halifax - they have the best interest- and fee-free overdraft available (and you can sign up now!)

:money:

moneyandmountains

pink_phantom wrote:

Does anybody know the best student account to apply for? It will have about £600 going in a month. Also what is the best incentives for the accounts, preferably not rail cards as I have a car.x

If you have £600 pounds going in a month, you should always consider the mainstream accounts e.g. A&L Premier Direct as well.
You would normally get a bribe for switching, plus a better rate of interest. It depends on how important the interest free overdraft is to you.

Jess

Following Martin's advice and wanting to be ahead of the game I applied for a Halifax Student bank account and have been turned down because I don't score enough points? I thought that banks were falling over themselves to get their hands on students.

Anyone explain why I might have been rejected by Halifax (I'm planning to have a go at them myself and see if they will explain)?

I have a guaranteed place, am currently working, have lived in my current address since I was 1 and have had a bank account (which I am planning to close when I get my new one) for more that 3 years. I have no debts and no reason as far as I know to be rejected, Can anyone tell me why it may be?

pink_phantom

Jess wrote:

Following Martin's advice and wanting to be ahead of the game I applied for a Halifax Student bank account and have been turned down because I don't score enough points? I thought that banks were falling over themselves to get their hands on students.

Anyone explain why I might have been rejected by Halifax (I'm planning to have a go at them myself and see if they will explain)?

I have a guaranteed place, am currently working, have lived in my current address since I was 1 and have had a bank account (which I am planning to close when I get my new one) for more that 3 years. I have no debts and no reason as far as I know to be rejected, Can anyone tell me why it may be?

Was it a college place or university?

Jess

Tricky question - Music College but it's a 4 year degree course so its just the same as a university!

outofdate_2

Just been offered the HSBC student account, but there are no longer any incentives worth having. Thought I would be offered either £50 cash or some CD vouchers, but that was only for last year. Better look elsewhere!

Jess

Jess wrote:

Following Martin's advice and wanting to be ahead of the game I applied for a Halifax Student bank account and have been turned down because I don't score enough points? I thought that banks were falling over themselves to get their hands on students.

Anyone explain why I might have been rejected by Halifax (I'm planning to have a go at them myself and see if they will explain)?

I have a guaranteed place, am currently working, have lived in my current address since I was 1 and have had a bank account (which I am planning to close when I get my new one) for more that 3 years. I have no debts and no reason as far as I know to be rejected, Can anyone tell me why it may be?

I may be able to answer my own question. I have just noticed from the table comparing the different student accounts that the course must be listed by UCAS in order to qualify. The Music College Course is not listed on UCAS but on CUKAS which does the same a UCAS but for conservatoires rather than universities, so this may be the reason although there is a direct link from UCAS to CUKAS. I am speaking to the bank later this week and hopefully they will be able to enlighten me.

zabbyh

I got the HSBC account, I had to register online to be eligible for the £50. But It is much better than the railcard, because the railcard only gives you discount after 10am I think. So if all your lectures start at 9am then go for the £50.

They only release their offers in July I think, cos I remember I went early and they said come back in July.