Clearer Statements Wanted

izools

Deefw wrote: »

but the bank thinks its ok to just put the untaken money back... Is this a bank scam to try and make us go into the red???

What would you be saying if there was an (all to common) glitch with the shop's PDQ machine which authorised the card twice? You'd be ranting blue murder if they didn't put the second (ghost) authorization back into your account within a very brief time frame, I bet.

It's really not difficult, just run your life in such a way that you are aware what purchases are within your means and which are outside. Don't sail so close to the wind.

It's not the banks fault if you try to live a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget.

And FYI, I'm only working part time, on minimum wage, have a small amount of help with state benefits, so I can't be described as "affluent". More... "striving".

Do I use my overdraft? No. Do I incur charges? No. Do I have so little self control that I depend on a real-time balance to ensure I don't incur overdraft interest or bounced transaction charges? No.

Common sense. Simple, common sense.

(EDIT: Cor, if I could see myself five years ago we'd have such a blazing row about financial responsibility...)

Milarky

Spiggle wrote: »

I'm with Satander but it used to be an A&L account. When I log on I see 'Balance', 'Overdraft' and 'Available Balance' which is the combination of the first two minus any payments already drawn/in the process of being drawn.

If I recall correctly, it used to be terrible when logging on to A&L accounts and seeing balances which defied actuality. But since the Santander take over all the actual transactions are shown in 'real time' on the statement page - not a day later. The worst remaining aspect [if this still does apply?] for old A&L accounts is the limit of 265 days for viewing past transactions. Fine if you get paper statements but unacceptable if your account is deemed 'online' but that's the only form of statement provided

casper_g

Bloomberg wrote: »

Showing the available balance including the overdraft does not give you a true picture of what you actually have. It is almost as if the bank are trying to engender a feeling that overdraft is YOUR money. HSBC do the same thing as you have described which is not ideal.

As for the credit card payment due date I set a reminder on my BlackBerry so I am not overly fussed about the relevant information not being enlarged.

HSBC don't do what the OP describes. He says his internet banking shows ONLY the "Available Balance" which includes the overdraft. The main screen on HSBC's internet banking only shows the "Balance" for each account, which will be +/- depending on whether the account is in credit or not. Likewise the statement page for each account shows only the Balance, +/-. It's only by clicking on a link for "account information" that you can see the "Available Balance", and it's presented along with the "Balance" so the difference is immediately apparent.

izools

casper_g wrote: »

HSBC don't do what the OP describes. He says his internet banking shows ONLY the "Available Balance" which includes the overdraft. The main screen on HSBC's internet banking only shows the "Balance" for each account, which will be +/- depending on whether the account is in credit or not. Likewise the statement page for each account shows only the Balance, +/-. It's only by clicking on a link for "account information" that you can see the "Available Balance", and it's presented along with the "Balance" so the difference is immediately apparent.

Not only this, but what on earth do some people expect "Available Balance" to mean?

Errm... the balance which is available to the customer to draw upon? Sounds pretty darn clear cut to me.

So, how could a balance, which is described as "Available" - i.e. what the customer can draw upon, not include the overdraft limit?

Either the OD is available to draw upon or the customer doesn't have one.

I can't believe some people actually trying to find fault with such a simple, clear cut, obvious system, instead of simply looking in the mirror and revising their own financial ineptitude. I did it years ago. So can everyone else!

This attitude of "It's all gone wrong so let's find as many 3rd parties to blame as possible" is one I will never understand.

The world would be a better place if more people started to realise that it's the things we can change in ourselves that make the most difference, not what everyone else can change. It's called responsibility.

/rant

SingleSue

casper_g wrote: »

HSBC don't do what the OP describes. He says his internet banking shows ONLY the "Available Balance" which includes the overdraft. The main screen on HSBC's internet banking only shows the "Balance" for each account, which will be +/- depending on whether the account is in credit or not. Likewise the statement page for each account shows only the Balance, +/-. It's only by clicking on a link for "account information" that you can see the "Available Balance", and it's presented along with the "Balance" so the difference is immediately apparent.

I am with Santander, it shoes the available and current balance, so if there are transactions pending, they show in the main balance with the available balance minus those transactions.

Re overdraft amounts, it has always been my experience no matter which bank I have been with, to show the available balance including the overdraft..although no idea if that has changed recently as I don't have an overdraft available now (even though they keep trying to give me one)

Edit - Re credit card due dates, I have a standing order set up weekly (suits me better that way rather than monthly but is done so there are never any charges, the minimum payment is usually the equivalent or less of one weeks payment) so no remembering to be done at all.