Best Current Accounts Discussion Area

penny263

I've been with First Direct for over 15 years (only just cottoned onto this website so I can see that changing in the near future!).

However, I have current and savings accounts with them, plus credit cards and a smartmortgage and can praise them to the highest level. Excellent customer service, always available and have only ever made 1 mistake in my entire history with them and even then, when I pointed this out to them, they immediately fixed it and credited my account with an additional £10 as an apology. Having a smartmortgage and linking all accounts to it pays an extremely reasonable interest rate too.

ken_rayner

Just wanted to say - thanks to this site - that I switched from a Natwest current account that I'd had for 14 years to the online Alliance & Leicester account last month.

Best thing I ever did - instead of being charged £12 a month plus interest for the privilege of having an overdraft (lord knows how I got myself into that mess) I am pleased to say that A&L matched my overdraft and it's fee and interest free. So much so that this month I *got* 45p interest paid in.

We have to spread the word - it's so simple to do and it'd screw the big banks if everyone jumped.

Thanks again (am only a slight bit worried that the online banking security only relies on a customer number & passcode, though - and both are typed in to the browser, an open sting for keyrecorder trojans).

grumbler

ken_rayner wrote:

...I switched .. to the ..Alliance & Leicester account last month.

Have you got £50 recommend-a-friend bonus? If not it is not late yet to send them a voucher ...

lauraj_3

To Poppy 25, I've been with Barclays for nearly 9 years apart from my 6 month disasterous stint with Alliance and Leicester. I am in the process of opening an account with First Direct after much research. I opened a savings account with First Direct about 4 months ago and was really impressed with their level of customer service. Every time I have called them they have answered the phone after about 4 rings and you don't have to press any options or anything! I have got through to a real person straight away each time and they've always been really nice and hepful. I'm really pleased with everything so far, just recieved my welcome letter today and looking forward to switching over from Barclays :-)

CannyGirl_3

I have had bank accounts with FirstDirect, Cahoot, Lloyds and Nationwide all for several years. I should say I am always in credit and what I am looking for is a good rate of interest on a credit account, preferrable with a related savings account, and something where I can principally use internet banking

I find First Direct by far the most professional - the website is straightforward, you speak to real people when you call, the text messages are really handy and they don't muck things up. However, the current account interest is pathetic (0.1%) so I would not recommend them unless you can get a better deal

Cahoot on the other hand are the most incompetent bunch of shysters I have ever been unlucky to deal with. The website works fine but they are a nightmare to phone - and when you do thay are completely unable to do anything. If you ask them a question by email you get a standard answer back (in my experience they have never actually answered the question I asked). They have completely mucked up on numerous occasions (6 weeks for my husband to get a new debit card and a PIN that worked; they reversed a CHAPS payment on completion of a house purchase erroneously and didn't even tell me; I could go on and on...). They offer good interest rates but like others on this forum I would not touch them with a bargepole. I like to have different accounts for different things (and have flexibility to use the one with the best interest rates) but I have closed my Cahoot account.

I have never had any problems with Nationwide. The website is not as handy to use as FirstDirect but they do seem to maintain good interest rates etc. They are particularly good for things like using your debit card abroard - they don't charge exchange fees where everyone else does & that makes a big difference

I got fed up with Lloyds before, for making mistakes, but have just restarted using them as they are Martin's best buy account. So far so good, although I have discovered that they are very slow at making bill payments (5 days, where with Nationwide it is 2 or 3) so you have to plan in advance with them.

Hope that helps some people in deciding where to move (anywhere but Cahoot!)

Kamran

Hi guys,

There's a lot of talk about the best current accounts, but is there a thread or an MS article :money: on the best STUDENT current account? At the moment I'm with Natwest, and they seem to be fine. I'm ALWAYS in credit and don't really need an overdraft, although I have an interest free overdraft of £1000 at the moment (that i'm yet to use). and I have a weekend job that earns me about £1500 per annum only.

Many thanks!! :j

Kam

grumbler

Kamran wrote:

... is there a thread or an MS article :money: on the best STUDENT current account?

Top Student Bank Accounts 2005/6 and discussion
The Best Graduate Accounts 2005/6


Articles - link to all articles in the green bar above.

aussieintheUK

Has anyone successfully earned the 50 + 40 + 40 pounds with their partner?

We have just moved back here from Australia and have only one current account between us, that is, a joint account. My (Brit) husband has had this account for years. But will Lloyds pay out to both of us - if we open two separate Lloyds accounts?

Any ideas?

Frank1in

Hi ,
I have decided to move to Loyds in the next few days, do Lloyds run a refer a friend scheme? if so does anyone want to refer me and maybe split the bonus fee?

cheers

Frank1in.

grumbler

Yes, they run such a sceme: http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts.asp?link=top_navigation.
As I understand this, if you are going to switch your £1000+ salary, you could be better off (£50) without recommendation than with recommendation (£40). With salary below £1000 it is worth using 'recommend a friend' voucher. PM me if you decide to go this way.
Be aware that they are very sneaky with £50 bonus: LloydsTSB £50 bonus .