Advice on changing bank account from Santander?

MjW5

Looking for a bit of advice if possible...

A couple of years ago I opened an Alliance and Leicester Premier Direct Current Account, which I really liked and got a good deal on. However, now that it has been changed to Santander I am considering changing to another bank. I know that they are a large bank but I'm not impressed by the limited dealings I have with them and the lack of support (or even consideration) they were going to offer me mortgage-wise as a first time buyer.

I was wondering if anybody would be able to recommend a good quality (however you define that) and 'safe' bank to transfer to? I have a steady income so would be able to get an account where you need to pay your wages into it.

Thanks for any help in advance.

missile

You were happy with A+L? IMHO almost any bank would be an improvement. Any bank will be happy to accept your salary. Switching is easy.

I would suggest you pick a bank with a convenient branch to service your account.

McCreary

Just changed username... thanks for the reply!

I was happier with A+L than I was with Santander! Unfortunately I live in a rural village and the nearest bank is Barclays - used them in the past but their interest rates were chronic. I mainly only use online banking. I work in a town so can pop into the centre to use any of the main banks.

Which would you recommend? I'm reading bad things about Santander.

YorkshireBoy

MjW5 wrote: »

I have a steady income so would be able to get an account where you need to pay your wages into it.

If you can pay in (or cycle) £1K per month, and don't ever (or very rarely) use an overdraft, then the Halifax/BoS Reward account will pay you £60 per year. And there's a branch on almost every high street.

To be honest though, as well as Halifax (and A&L) I bank with LTSB, HSBC, Nationwide, Yorkshire Bank, & NatWest...and they all do what they say on the tin!

McCreary

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

If you can pay in (or cycle) £1K per month, and don't ever (or very rarely) use an overdraft, then the Halifax/BoS Reward account will pay you £60 per year. And there's a branch on almost every high street.

To be honest though, as well as Halifax (and A&L) I bank with LTSB, HSBC, Nationwide, Yorkshire Bank, & NatWest...and they all do what they say on the tin!

I would pay in £1K a month and haven't used my overdraft for over a year (although like it there for an added layer of security). I had a Student Account with Halifax but had numerous problems with fraudulent transactions appearing on my account, which is part of the reason why I left in the first place. I'd prefer to go with a bank that is very 'safe' but I know we are in difficult times!

diable

If its now owned by Santander then run away........ Think about First Direct and see what offers they have and transfer packages available.........

McCreary

diable wrote: »

If its now owned by Santander then run away........ Think about First Direct and see what offers they have and transfer packages available.........

Problem is I am in the process of setting up a mortgage so don't want to change until direct debits etc are set up.

Was considering Cooperative but heard they weren't as safe as they seemed. What are the reasons you suggest running from Santander?

missile

McCreary wrote: »

Problem is I am in the process of setting up a mortgage so don't want to change until direct debits etc are set up.

Was considering Cooperative but heard they weren't as safe as they seemed. What are the reasons you suggest running from Santander?

I don't know where you heard coop is not safe? You need to be careful with security for online banking whichever bank you choose. I find LTSB with Vantage to be a good no nonsense bank account and in my case gives me a healthy 4% return.

diable

McCreary wrote: »

Problem is I am in the process of setting up a mortgage so don't want to change until direct debits etc are set up.

Was considering Cooperative but heard they weren't as safe as they seemed. What are the reasons you suggest running from Santander?

I have just experience extremely cr4p service from them.

getmore4less

McCreary wrote: »

Problem is I am in the process of setting up a mortgage so don't want to change until direct debits etc are set up.

Just open the new account ready to take over all your finances, don't close down the old one.

You can transfer stuff yourself or see if they can do a delayed transfer of all DD.

OK a lot of transfer are ok but there are still the odd horror story so keeping both open and funded for a while is sensible.


Happy with barclays and FD in this household.

Santander have been a nightmare to deal with but the branch staff have still been good and helpfull.

jen245

I switched from A&L (Santander) to Natwest, and I also have accounts with Halifax and Lloyds, and haven't looked back. If you do most of your banking online, Natwests online banking service is excellent, and their faster payments are very reliable. Lloyds online banking is also very good, and Halifax give you £5 a month if you credit £1000 of more. Any bank you choose will be an improvement on santander!