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Cumberland BS - Use Abroad

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callum9999
callum9999 Posts: 4,434 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 12 September 2010 at 5:36PM in Budgeting & bank accounts
I just read the Cumberland BS website and it seems that the visa debit card with their current account can be used abroad fee-free, yet this is never mentioned by MSE. I just read the travel money and it actually claims Nationwide was the only card that allowed this.

Is it definitely fee-free? I don't see why this wouldn't be mentioned at all if it was.

Their criteria for running the account seem a bit awkward if you didn't want it as your main account, but probably worth it if you go abroad a lot?
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  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    callum9999 wrote: »
    I just read the Cumberland BS website and it seems that the visa debit card with their current account can be used abroad fee-free, yet this is never mentioned by MSE. I just read the travel money and it actually claims Nationwide was the only card that allowed this.

    Is it definitely fee-free? I don't see why this wouldn't be mentioned at all if it was.

    Their criteria for running the account seem a bit awkward if you didn't want it as your main account, but probably worth it if you go abroad a lot?


    Yes as far as I can see it's fee-free.

    The snag is you can only open an account if you have an address in their branch area - if you live elsewhere in the country you are not eligible.
  • callum9999
    callum9999 Posts: 4,434 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    dzug1 wrote: »
    Yes as far as I can see it's fee-free.

    The snag is you can only open an account if you have an address in their branch area - if you live elsewhere in the country you are not eligible.

    Ah I didn't see that, thats probably why they are never mentioned then!

    I went as far as the end of the application page and they didn't mention anything about having to live near them - they should make it clearer.

    EDIT: Actually it's the first thing on the application page, maybe I should have paid more attention!
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Likde Dzug mention you need to reside in one of their branches.
    They clearly mention about this in their website:
    http://www.cumberland.co.uk/current-accounts

    "We welcome new applications from new and existing customers who live within our branch operating area, however, we do not accept new accounts from new customers who live outside our branch operating area."

    ADINDAS
    callum9999 wrote: »
    Ah I didn't see that, thats probably why they are never mentioned then!

    I went as far as the end of the application page and they didn't mention anything about having to live near them - they should make it clearer.

    EDIT: Actually it's the first thing on the application page, maybe I should have paid more attention!
  • gt94sss2
    gt94sss2 Posts: 6,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    callum9999 wrote: »
    I just read the Cumberland BS website and it seems that the visa debit card with their current account can be used abroad fee-free, yet this is never mentioned by MSE. I just read the travel money and it actually claims Nationwide was the only card that allowed this.

    Metro Bank also offers a fee free debit card for use abroad with their current account, though you will need to open an account (in person) at one of their stores in London.

    There are several credit cards which offer commission free use overseas.

    Regards
    Sunil
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Is there any monthly payment requirement into this a/c ?

    Thank you
    ADINDAS
    gt94sss2 wrote: »
    Metro Bank also offers a fee free debit card for use abroad with their current account, though you will need to open an account (in person) at one of their stores in London.

    There are several credit cards which offer commission free use overseas.

    Regards
    Sunil
  • GFA
    GFA Posts: 102 Forumite
    edited 14 September 2010 at 6:41PM
    adindas wrote: »
    Is there any monthly payment requirement into this a/c ?

    Thank you
    ADINDAS

    There isn't for the Metro Bank account.
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thank you for your info. Cumberland BS require monthly payment of at least £200, otherwise they close the a/c/

    Forget to ask about the dormancy fee or possible closure to you a/c in Metro Bank, in case no actity. Is there any ?...

    If not, it will literary mean that we could open it to be used solely for overseas spending purposes. We just need to feed the a/c when we are about to travel abroad ....

    ADINDAS
    GFA wrote: »
    There isn't for the Metro Bank account.
  • GFA
    GFA Posts: 102 Forumite
    edited 14 September 2010 at 7:18PM
    adindas wrote: »
    Thank you for your info. Cumberland BS require monthly payment of at least £200, otherwise they close the a/c/

    Forget to ask about the dormancy fee or possible closure to you a/c in Metro Bank, in case no actity. Is there any ?...

    If not, it will literary mean that we could open it to be used solely for overseas spending purposes. We just need to feed the a/c when we are about to travel abroad ....

    ADINDAS

    I don't think so. I didn't ask this specific question when I opened my account yesterday but I did ask the rep what fees are payable on the account and he said to me that it is fee free. (There are no minimum/regular funding requirements or no minimum balance necessary).




    However, you will pay:
    • interest if you use the overdraft whether authorised or unauthorised (currently 15.9% I think), and
    • charges for clearing items if you have an unauthorised overdraft like all other banks.
  • adindas
    adindas Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Thank you again for your info

    ADINDAS
    GFA wrote: »
    There isn't for the Metro Bank account.
  • GFA
    GFA Posts: 102 Forumite
    adindas wrote: »
    Thank you again for your info

    ADINDAS

    You're welcome!

    One further point - if you're thinking about opening an account with Metro Bank - ignore the website when it states that for most customers a photographic driving licence will be sufficient ID to open an account. This is rubbish!!! They will require photographic ID (driving licence or passport) plus two forms of ID verifying your address which is not more than 3 months old (not a mobile phone bill). I pointed out to the rep that opened my account that this contradicts their website. He confirmed that he wasn't sure why the website states that a driving licence could be sufficient, their policy is to ask for photographic ID plus two other forms. They can only open accounts once they have had all of the necessary ID!
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