The best bank in the world

gingercordial

Kenshaz, just check out Martin's articles on top current accounts, savings, credit cards etc and you'll have your answer!

At the risk of revealing my whole financial life, I deal with it as follows:

"Working" current account with Natwest because I've been with them for donkeys' years and I actually quite like them. Yes I know I'll get shot down in flames for having any loyalty so credit balances are immediately moved to...

Secondary current account with A&L for the 5% in-credit rate, which feeds...

Regular savers: 10% with A&L and 7% with Halifax.

ISAs: current year's allowance with NS&I at 5.30%, previous years with Bradford & Bingley at 5% as NS&I won't allow these to be transferred in.

Additional savings and stoozepot with ICICI at 5.15%.

"Working" credit cards: Amex Blue for 1% cashback and Natwest for anywhere that doesn't take Amex (I get airmiles and it's the longest-standing account on my credit report).

Stoozing credit cards: currently HSBC, Egg, Virgin and HBOS.

It takes me a very long time to check all of my internet bank accounts! :rotfl:But all the transactions and payments are done via DD so I don't have to actually do much to keep it ticking over.

kenshaz

Ginger ,I would be quite proud of your little empire

michaels

Problem with having lots of different accounts at different providers are
a) loss of interest while money moves can outweigh savings from a couple of bp on the interest rate
b) if funds are in an internet only account with no cash card there is a delay in getting funds somwwhere useable in an emergency

Couple of other points, I think A&L have raised at least some of their rates following the BoE rate rise.
There is a small private bank tat pays better interest (called Rafter? bank I think) but funds are tied up for 30 days.
T&C need to be checked carefully eg first direct savings a/c was competitve but has the silly withdrawel clause, any withdrawels in a month result in none of the balance receiveing any interest and eg2 A&L minimum monthly funding requirement.

Finally a question is it possible to pay off any of the cashback credit cards in full each month using the Halifax 1% debit card an dearn in effect double cashback?

kenshaz

regularsaver1 wrote:

Kenshaz - I am so surprised that you use Halifax, i kinow you used to have your mortgage there until you paid it up.

awww don't RBS offer you a regular saver at the same time? = probabaly not the best bank in the world

I think this is lager talk - PROBABLY - as what is best to one person is not to others. Maybe due to age, profession, gender, and well .......

No they are not ,their products stink ,but they have a good online site ,and branch contact,via telephone,direct to the manager,but I pick and mix,exactly what this thread is about.

What do you mean lager ,that was why I used it on the title ,have you seen the advert,but I drink wine ,mainly and of course G&T

regularsaver1

kenshaz wrote:

Are they all with the Halifax?Please read the original post for clarification,it is about how we pick and mix between banks to create an imaginary bank

Yes - I have not ventured out really. Its more about the facilities that are available to me and me managing my money.

We could all take bits from one bank. or is it more facilites from one account to another.


so yes I didn't read your post, as you do not read mine either

I meant lager in the "probabaly best lager (bank) in the world" way

kenshaz

I have noticed that you have been a little dis-loyal of late in respect to your friend :rolleyes:,but loyalty to a bank can be an expensive enterprise.

regularsaver1

But I get free shares - I can't move them else where