Nationwide & Halifax small branch closures

Pennywiseperrin

Hello,

I live in a rural area and getting into town is not always easy.

Can anyone advise the best methods to obtain cash when our local building societies are being closed down? I don't like using ATMs and don't want to have to travel into the city to go to the main branch to get cash. I understand that I can get cash from the post office using my card but so many post offices are being closed down too. Which are the best credit cards offering cash back facilities?

Are we meant to buy everything on credit card from the large supermarkets and kill off the local shops now?

Any advice much appreciated. Thank you.

P

StevieJ

Cashback on a debit card in some shops especially supermarkets,

alanq

When you ask about Credit Cards with "cash back" do you mean cards that allow you to draw cash at a supermarket? I think that just applies to debit cards. Even if that is not the case remember that cash withdrawals from credit card accounts incur interest charges from the day of the withdrawal.

I understand a Cash Back credit card to be one that rebates to your account a small percentage of what you spend each year. If that was the case then I would suggest instead the AA Spend And Earn pre-payment card. It is not a credit card, it makes charges for cash withdrawals, it makes charges for topping up the account over the counter and it does not provide that additional protection that a credit (and some debit) cards do. However, if you top up the account by transferring funds from a bank and use it only for making purchases it can be good value. One gets 1 point back on every £2 spent and 1 point for every £1 spent on petrol and motoring products. Those points double if you are an AA member. Each 1000 points is worth £10 in vouchers to spend at certain major retailers.

It seems that if a company sells petrol in any of its branches all purchases get 1 point per £1 spent (at least I have found that to be the case when buying groceries at ASDA and Tesco.) So for an average balance of £100 topped up weekly I expect at least £30 return after a year on my modest spending. 30% is a lot better than a bank account.

N.B. There are two versions of the account. One with identity checks and one without. The one where they cannot verify your identity allows a very limited amount of transactions.
http://www.theaa.com/prepaid-card/index.html

Reaper

I think you will have to learn to love ATMs. Just don't use credit cards in them (debit cards are ok) and try to avoid the private (non-bank) ones whenever possible as they add a charge.

G_M

I don't like using ATMs

Any particular reason? Since branches are closing these are the easiest way to get cash.

If you are 'modern' enough to use cashback facilties when paying for goods on a debit/credit card, why not use ATMs? Or are you woried about security? Use common sense and and avoid using them at night in isolated areas. Otherwise little to fear.

glider3560

Are there not other banks in your town? I can't believe you only have a Halifax agency and a Nationwide agency?!

LongTermLurker

You can withdraw cash from Halifax current/reward accounts at a post office - and it's free to do so :cool:

(PO will let you use some other accounts as well, but don't know which)

Sorry - just seen that you mentioned the PO. It's a great service.

And yes, credit cards are the future (they were 10 years ago!) - along with garlic bread, of course, but if local shops won't pay the charges, what about debit cards instead?

Are we meant to buy everything on credit card from the large supermarkets and kill off the local shops now?

No, but small shops need to make the leap into the 21st century and start taking plastic - prices could rise slightly as a result, but they can't stay in the dark ages forever.

Don't use credit cards to withdraw money though, it'll cost you a fortune in interest.

rb10

LongTermLurker wrote: »

You can withdraw cash from Halifax current/reward accounts at a post office - and it's free to do so :cool:

Ditto for paying in cash and cheques, as long as you speak to Halifax about it first.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/HelpCentre/important-announcement.asp

LongTermLurker

rb10 wrote: »

Ditto for paying in cash and cheques, as long as you speak to Halifax about it first.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/HelpCentre/important-announcement.asp

Interesting. But a bit hypocritical of Halifax...

Why are you closing the agency counters?
The decision to close the counter services provided by our agency network was not taken lightly. Following a thorough review, we have concluded that offering a counter service through another company is no longer right for our business. As a result, we will be closing the counters that are offered by independent agents on behalf of Halifax.


Can I use any of my Halifax accounts at the Post Office?
Yes. We have deliberately strengthened our relationship with the Post Office following the withdrawal of the agency counter service. Under this arrangement, you can now deposit cash and cheques in Halifax bank and savings accounts at the Post Office. To get started with this service just call us on 0800 028 8162* and confirm your name, address and the details for the account you wish to use, we'll then send you everything you need.

Ah, so the Post Office is not another company then? (aggghhh - what's happened to the sarcy smiley? I can't make my emotions clear any more )


...but why do you need to confirm who you are and where you live to pay money in? It's hardly likely that the good old missis in the post office is going to become the favoured stool pidgeon of the global money laundering scene, surely? (damn, need more smilies...)