Really basic question re switching to A&L

Seaxwyn

Hello there

I've just opened a Premier Direct Current Account and have received a cheque book and debit card. I haven't done the switching yet and after reading another thread here have decided to do that myself.

My question is - can I start using the interest-free overdraft already? ie can I pay £1,000 (my limit) into my old account. Or do I have to do the switches first?

Advice please! I feel rather nervous as I last switched banks 19 years ago...

Sarah

Mc4ndy

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/currentaccounts/index.asp?page=prem-legals&currpage=overdraft

Did you read this, it suggests that the 0% is from account opening.

I just opened one recently. I did their switching service. It went fine for me.

Seaxwyn

Thanks McAndy. I just phoned them and they confirmed that it is from opening so I'm heading off to my old bank to make inroads into old overdraft - hoorah!!

Glad to hear the switching went fine too. I'm going to use their service as I found out they will only match your old o/d if you use the service.

jimmyjim_uk

I personally have done the switch myself.

You don't have to use the switching service to get your overdraft matched. A copy of your bank statement with OD limit on will suffice.

Seaxwyn

Hi Jimmy

The man on the phone definitely said that using their switching service was one of the criteria. I've posted the form off now - I've only got 4 DDs going out and 2 coming in anyway so not too much hassle for me just to phone them and make sure.

jimmyjim_uk

I was told on the phone that a copy of my statement was enough.

A mate at work has used thier switching service with no hiccups.

In my case they offered me more than more old banks OD limit on application anyway.

Seaxwyn

I'm really glad to hear you and your mate have had a good experience switching to A&L, I was getting nervous reading some of the other threads here.

Fingers crossed they match my existing overdraft, it's huge!

Dibdob

Seaxwyn wrote:

Fingers crossed they match my existing overdraft, it's huge!

Hi Seaxwyn,
Let me know how you get on. I was thinking about applying as my overdraft is HUGE too...and I also have been with my bank since I left school so 21 years for me!!!! Worried that they wont match my o/d if I apply!!!
Good luck!

Mc4ndy

how HUGE? They say they'll max it up to £2500... I think.

Seaxwyn

Hi.

My overdraft limit is £3750 and I'd love to have the same at A&L. From reading the smallprint they say 0% interest up to 2500 overdraft and 5.9% above that. I've met all the criteria so I guess they are bound to match it - let's hope so. Dibdob, I'll let you know when I hear from them.

My account is now working. It was a strange feeling inserting my new card into the machine yesterday and seeing 'Balance - Nil' come up.

Seaxwhy

Dibdob

Good luck....yeah do keep me posted!!!