Best offers on bank account

BertrumB

Im wanting to switch my bank account from natwest, I have recently had a hard time financially which is now resolved, but during this time they have been truly horrible (maybe this is the same with all banks but I want to move on from them)

So, which is the best account around?? Im not wanting one with benefits which cost, I had one before, paid my 13 quid a month but never used any of the benefits.

There will be about £2000 being paid in per month.

Any advice :)

tomreid10

Halifax Reward is my fav. if you regularly pay your salary into it you get a free 5 pound each month. Also, I have the clarity reward credit card from them and if you have this and their reward credit card and put at least 300 pound a month on the credit card, you get another 5 a month off Halifax. That's a free 10 pound a month.

Their customer service can be a bit poor, but if you are patient with them I think this is the best deal around. Santander had some good offers too, but their customer service has such a bad reputation I avoided them.

Good luck

tomreid10

PS there are no charges with Halifax reward if you stay in credit. Believe their overdraft rates are very high, so one to be avoided if you will use an overdraft facility

UnderControl_2

I have recently switched to First Direct, and it has been a great decision. Switch process was very smooth and have just received the £100 joining incentive one week after funding the account with the minimum £1500. I decided to switch to FD after reading the comments on this website, and I don't regret it for a second and would highly recommend.

samwsmith1

UnderControl wrote: »

I have recently switched to First Direct, and it has been a great decision. Switch process was very smooth and have just received the £100 joining incentive one week after funding the account with the minimum £1500. I decided to switch to FD after reading the comments on this website, and I don't regret it for a second and would highly recommend.

Same here, would highly recommend first direct - it's nice getting though to a real person after a couple of rings.
Haven't got the money to put through yet to get the £100 (how long did it take for you to receive it?), but I can see myself closing my other bank accounts now!

UnderControl_2

samwsmith1 wrote: »

Same here, would highly recommend first direct - it's nice getting though to a real person after a couple of rings.
Haven't got the money to put through yet to get the £100 (how long did it take for you to receive it?), but I can see myself closing my other bank accounts now!

It took 7 calendar days from crediting the money to receiving the payment. I was expecting it to take 3 weeks based on other people's comments, so was surprised when I checked my balance yesterday to find the £100 had been credited. Excellent!
Nice Easter present from FD!!

Baldur

samwsmith1 wrote: »

Haven't got the money to put through yet to get the £100 (how long did it take for you to receive it?), but I can see myself closing my other bank accounts now!

43 days from first deposit, with numerous deposits amounting to many times more than £1,500 being deposited in the intervening period.

pjread

hmm do you need to use their switching service to get this free £100 or just fund the account?

equitydealer

I switched to First Direct after getting fed up with Halifax's Faster Payments service. I got £100 within 2 weeks of crediting £1500. So far I've had excellent customer service and do not regret switching. :T

Party_Animal

I was with FD for years. Love their customer service. I only left because they didn't pay any interest on my current account and Santander were offering a better deal. A big mistake. I'm now in the process of changing to Brittannia or Coop, not just for the £100, just fed up with Santander.

Baldur

pjread wrote: »

hmm do you need to use their switching service to get this free £100 or just fund the account?

See http://www2.banking.firstdirect.com/1/2/banking;jsessionid=0000gfYi7vj-heMfiyzAZfcTt63:11jkiufhq?clear=true

The switching service has to have been used to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee if you wish to leave FD.