bank - highest rate for (1) Savings (2) Direct Debit funds

ED

For anyone (like my family) seeking the most efficient, competitive bank or building society paying the highest rate (gross quoted, not AER) for :

(1) Savings account + internally-linked account for
(2) outward Direct Debit, Standing Order + BACS facilities

Coventry Bdg Soc :
4.85% gross - 'NetSave III' a/c, from which SOs + BACS can go direct
+ outward DD via:
3.15% - 'Callsave MoneyManager' a/c (4.25% after 1st £2,000)

Norwich + Peterborough BS :
5.10% - 'NetmasterGold Saver II' a/c
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
2.96% - 'Gold Account' (less if under £500 per month deposited)

Abbey :
4.60% - 'eSaver' a/c (+ 0.50% bonus for first 6 months)
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
2.50% - 'Abbey' current a/c (less if under £1,000 per month deposited)

Alliance + Leicester :
5.35% - 'Online Saver' a/c, but £'s take 24hrs to reach Current a/c
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
4.89% - 'Premier Plus Current' a/c, but it takes extra banking day for DD/SO/BACS

Anyone here experienced extra benefits (or hitches) in any of the above?


MSE readers' experiences sought re saving + sending SOs, etc, via :

Nationwide :
5.00% - 'eSavings' a/c
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
0.50% - 'FlexAccount'

Cahoot :
4.98% - 'Savings' a/c
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
4.17% - 'Current Instant' a/c (w/o ch bk) - do DD/SO/BACS take the usual 2 banking days?

Lloyds TSB :
up to 5% incl bonus [explain!] - 'Online Saver' a/c - online transfers instant to Current a/c?
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
3.93% - 'Classic Plus Instant' a/c - do DD/SO/BACS take the usual 2 banking days?

Halifax Bank plc :
4.90% - 'Web Saver' a/c (lower rate if with cheque-book)
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
3.00% - 'Current Instant' a/c - but inward cheques take extra bdg day to clear

Smile :
3.25% - 'Current Instant' a/c - what is the best procedure to pay DD, etc?


+ bottom of the options :

First Direct :
0.10% - 'Savings' a/c (3.20% on £500+ balance)
+ outward DD/SO/BACS via:
1.98% - 'Bank Account' (0.10% if under £1,000 per month deposited)

Chadsman

I have been with Nationwide for 5 years now and never had any probs with their current ac or e-savings. The only slight gripe I have is that bill payments to their Credit Card take three days to arrive and you cant pay the CC with a debit card.
Whilst they are not often the best buy they are usually a very good buy.
Chad.

PS: I think the current account pays a bit more interest if you regularly pay in a certain amount.