All I want to do is pay in a cheque!

Hi all

I have a current with the Halifax which I pay my salary of £1700 in each month. I also have a regular saver with them and save£25. It was £500 a month until I became a homeowner lol. I also have a web saver with a few pence in.

I have a current account with the Nationwide, which is a joint account with my partner. We each pay £800 a month into this account to pay the Nationwide mortgage and also the bills.

I have a Virgin credit card which is paid off in full and the Amex cash back card which is also paid off in full every month

We have been in our first home for almost 12 months so saving has stopped for a short while as we do home improvements.

That’s my background.

My issues has arisen today with both the Nationwide and the Halifax. My nearest branch is now around 30 minutes drive away. Ok not a big deal but it’s a pain. I have a cheque to pay in and Halifax have closed all the local branches.

Im looking at two possible options

1/ Closing my Halifax current account and moving to the Natwest (2 minute drive) or one of the banks you can use via the Post Office (2 minute walk).

OR

2/ Opening one of the above as a third current account and use the online functions to move cash around.

[FONT=&quot]Any opinions on the financial institutes involved are welcomed. I’m worried about moving away from the Halifax as they have always been OK, but my loyalty seems to just make life hard. [/FONT]
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Comments

  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 20 June 2011 at 11:15AM
    Have you tried posting the cheque? They all accept postal deposits.

    I would never close your first current account. When asked on a loan applicaton you get bonus points for having a long term relationship with your current account. You don't have to actually use it as long as it doesn't charge fees then keep the halifax account. Open a natwest one and use online banking to transact with halifax.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well there is a third option - post your cheques to the Halifax (or Nationwide)

    snap.....
  • SIRUSKEY
    SIRUSKEY Posts: 58 Forumite
    Well I never! Do I need a slip or just a letter??
  • rb10
    rb10 Posts: 6,334 Forumite
    I would personally avoid Natwest ... their customer service leaves something to be desired!

    As others have said, you can post the cheque to either Halifax or Nationwide - just include a note asking it to be paid into your account. I'd write the sort code and account number on the back of the cheque too, just to be extra safe.

    You can also pay into your Halifax account (cash & cheques) through the Post Office (in England & Wales) (you need to get a pre-printed paying-in book from Halifax to do this).
  • SIRUSKEY
    SIRUSKEY Posts: 58 Forumite
    rb10 wrote: »
    I would personally avoid Natwest ... their customer service leaves something to be desired!

    As others have said, you can post the cheque to either Halifax or Nationwide - just include a note asking it to be paid into your account. I'd write the sort code and account number on the back of the cheque too, just to be extra safe.

    You can also pay into your Halifax account (cash & cheques) through the Post Office (in England & Wales) (you need to get a pre-printed paying-in book from Halifax to do this).


    I dont have any kind of paying-in book, and according to the Post Office website you can only make withdrawals with your card.

    I was thinking of changing to Natwest as they are only bank in the village. I will pop into town tomorrow and pay it into the Halifax and have a think about opening another account.

    Thanks for the advice
  • SIRUSKEY
    SIRUSKEY Posts: 58 Forumite
    I take it back I can pay-in with personalised paying in slip and deposit envelope from Halifax. Looks like they just post it off to me!
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    rb10 wrote: »
    You can also pay into your Halifax account (cash & cheques) through the Post Office (in England & Wales) (you need to get a pre-printed paying-in book from Halifax to do this).


    You also need a special envelope obtainable from Halifax - the Post Office can't do it without one. It goes to a processing centre by special delivery, not normal post

    And there's conflicting information as to whether this service is actually provided by the Post Office

    http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/counter-services/counter-money-services/halifax says yes - but they aren't in the general list
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you can always photocopy any cheques that you send by post.
    It saves a load of hassle if the cheque 'disappears'.
  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,466 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I've paid cash and cheques into my Halifax current account at the Post Office since they closed all their Agency offices. All fine. Usually shows up online within a couple of days (dated the date it was paid in IIRC)
    2.22kWp Solar PV system installed Oct 2010, Fronius IG20 Inverter, south facing (-5 deg), 30 degree pitch, no shading
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  • SIRUSKEY
    SIRUSKEY Posts: 58 Forumite
    [FONT=&quot]I have never considered moving from the Halifax until they closed all the sub offices and agent offices.
    [/FONT]
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