Moving from First Direct...but to where?

MSJ_3

I've been (happily) with First Direct for 5 years (i think) but it’s no longer giving me the best deal out there - but having gone through most of the money sites I can find (and even having trawled MSE extensively) I’m still none the wiser as to who I should move to...
Citibank or Alliance & Leicester or LloydsTSB...or...???!
I'm looking for a decent rate of interest...and preferable a few £ thrown in for opening an account (well...why not.)
Any good ideas?
???

b.abraham_2

I can recommend LloydsTSB - sometimes you want to be able to walk into a branch of your 'own' bank to sort problems out. I transferred to them about 6 months ago after having been with scumbag Barclays for years, and I've had no problems.
If you get recommended by a current Lloyds TSB customer you both get 35 quid too (use me if you want, but a nice earner for a friend !)
;D

omega27

I'd also recommend LloydsTSB - in the process of switching to them at the moment, and the CS has been fantastic. Only thing I can fault them for is the number of trees they're killing, as the amount of post is phenomenal. Postie must think I'm very popular suddenly :-)

scarsdale

I have had a current account with Intelligent Finance for over 2 years without any major problems. The current rate of interest on credit balances is 4.75% providing you open a savings account with just £1. As far as I am aware there is no stipulation as to the amount to be paid in each month.

You are provided with envelopes for posting any item to them, they do all your standing orders and direct debits and you get a printed monthly statement posted to you as well as being able to access on line.

Hope you find this helpful.

1jim

I am with smile at moment
very reasonable rates
good customer service
can pay in and withdraw money from post office or coop bank

snakey_2

MSJ wrote:

I've been (happily) with First Direct for 5 years (i think) but it’s no longer giving me the best deal out there - but having gone through most of the money sites I can find (and even having trawled MSE extensively) I’m still none the wiser as to who I should move to...
Citibank or Alliance & Leicester or LloydsTSB...or...???!
I'm looking for a decent rate of interest...and preferable a few £ thrown in for opening an account (well...why not.)
Any good ideas?
???

alliance and leicester are offereing a good rate...also offer £20 if you go with them...however have heard bad things about them....still...have applied myself and see how it goes

glasgowc

Can I just ask in what ways are First Direct not meeting your needs? Have you tried giving them a call and explaining your situation? They are there for you 24/7 to do that, no offense but there could be a few ways they could help you that you just don't know about.

grumbler

Do not look for introductory offers when making long-term decision!

I’d recommend Nationwide. Not the best at the moment but one of the best on average, if no promotion offers are taken into account. Also it is ‘must have’ if you travel abroad. Good bank (BS) to keep all your direct debits to avoid switching while chasing different promotion offers. At the moment I have a few other accounts along with NW:
Lloyds TSB – it was very competitive about a year ago and offered £35 to join. Am going to close it now.
A&L – is the best at the moment (I think) and offers free worldwide travel insurance.
Abbey monthly saver – offers the best interest.
…

When giving this advice I do not consider customer services quality, as I almost never visit branches, rarely use telephone and prefer internet banking. The only disadvantage of NW is that the first time you want to pay money online to some new destination, you cannot do this the same day – you must ‘create’ a payment first and it will be available the next day.

bridiej

I've been using Smile for a year now and can recommend them.

You can pay in to the account via your Post Office, which means you have branches nearly everywhere!!