Help me find a new bank.

Scar_3

Hey Money Savers.

I am currently with HSBC bank, however they seem to be endless trouble, and don't get me started on the foreign call centres. :mad:

Anyhoo, I am looking to change banks.
-With HSBC I currently have a credit card - the balance of which is cleared every month without fail so I don't pay interest, although I will be looking into getting a cashback card (not that I'll spend enough on it anyhoo to get anything worthwhile, but what I get will be better than nothing!)
-A debit card, which is a solo card which I've had since I was about 13 and from my understanding don't have much protection, so would prefer a card with more protection - which I believe to be a Visa card, correct me if I'm wrong.

I will be looking to save for a house over the next couple of years, but I preferably want somewhere different to where my current account is so I can't say: "Ooo look, I have £xxxx in my account, lets spend it!)

I would like somewhere with an internet banking system so I can pay bills and check my balance online, and with the option of not sending statements to me. Does anyone know of such a bank, or can recommend me one?

Thanks

Phoenix79_2

I'm not sure about the paperless statments but i always recommend Natwest. I have 2 current accounts with them and one current account with HSBC and Natwest are far better. You'll get a Maestro card if you meet the requirements (same as Visa Debit).

Natwest have a good high st presence (always important for me) and you get a direct number into the branch. They also have UK call centres.

They do have a range of credit cards but nothing earth shattering in the way of offers on them. You don't have to have a credit card with your bankers. For cashback cards i would recommend Morgan Stanley. I'm currently getting 3% cashback on my spending.

Gordon_the_Moron

I'd recommend Nationwide rather than Natwest, call centres in the UK just the same and better rates. Open a current account and E-saver (house savings in E-saver) with either, the Natwest pays 0.1% (current) and 4.55% (E-saver)

Nationwide pay up to 4.25% on the current account (if you pay in over £1000 per month, the rate does drop sharply if you don't) and 5.05% on the E-saver.

If you can't pay in over £1000 per month you can cheat by withdrawing cash and re-depositing or BACS transferring in and out from another bank (transfers between Nationwide don't count)

Both have excellent customer service and both have very easy to use online banking. Maybe a few more branches for Natwest but you should be near enough to a Nationwide one.

Alliance and Leicester have even better rates BUT the customer service is pants (requires £500 per month pay in) also less branches, Coventry Building Society requires £1000 per month pay in and pays good interest on large current account balances, Halifax has the best high street current account apart from A&L, their customer service is better but they too require £1000 per month pay in (internal transfers DO count with them though)

:xmassmile DA MORON :xmassmile

Kilty_2

I'd also recommend Nationwide, if only for the free withdrawals abroad. (No charges for ATM or debit card purchases and an exchange rate pretty close to wholesale rates). E-Savings bolts on to current account and pays 5.05% which is pretty close to the top savings rates around (OK, 0.40% lower than THE best but transfers between savings and current account are instant)

Believe their credit card is pretty good as well since it offers the same terms for use abroad as well as 0% on purchases for 9 months

Scar_3

Thanks everyone for your detailed replies!

I have heard a lot of good things about Nationwide but I don't know where my nearest store is to go hav e a chat with them, which is a downside for when I need to go pay money in. At least with HSBC there is one 5 minutes from my house, and yes there are always quees (sp?) but it doesn't bother me as I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes (apart from once, but I went during lunch hour a couple of weeks ago, people were all prepping up for Xmas I think!)

My salary varies, and currently on average I am paying in less than £1000 a month, however I work P/T and I'm job hunting for something more perminant, so I will end up with more money going in. So, currently this could create a problem.

So, looks like Lloyds is out - although my mum uses them and they haven't always been great, although she used to work for them (21 years ago), as did my dad so she has loyality there. Don't want to bank with First Direct seeing as they're part of HSBC I believe? And they have introduced that monthly charge too haven't they? Am I right in thinking that Abbey and the Royal Bank of Scottland are a big pile of poo as well? I have a close friend whose with the Halifax and he has no problems, although he's never really needed to I guess. If something happens I want to know that I'd be delt with by someone who could relate to my situation, hence why I want British people not foreign call centres.

Other thing - do Natwest still fund animal testing does anyone know?

Enough of my jibberish!

PS - Pheonix, I'm not too far from you judging by your location, any ideas where there actually is a Nationwide bank?

Kilty_2

https://www.nationwide.co.uk Click "Branch Finder" at the top right.

Scar_3

Thanks. Theres 2 I didn't know about!

Kilty_2

Oh, as for RBS I'd say avoid like the plague. Abbey I don't know since I've no experience with them and Halifax/Bank of Scotland are pretty good but I don't know what their current accounts are like since I have an under 18's account with them.

topher_2

I'd recommend Smile - very helpful on the phone and you can pay in at co-op branches / post offices.

Phoenix79_2

Scar wrote:

Am I right in thinking that Abbey and the Royal Bank of Scottland are a big pile of poo as well? I have a close friend whose with the Halifax and he has no problems, although he's never really needed to I guess. If something happens I want to know that I'd be delt with by someone who could relate to my situation, hence why I want British people not foreign call centres.

Other thing - do Natwest still fund animal testing does anyone know?

Enough of my jibberish!

PS - Pheonix, I'm not too far from you judging by your location, any ideas where there actually is a Nationwide bank?

(Sh)Abbey are going downhill fast. RBS own Natwest and when i have dealt with them (through work) they have always been professional. As for Natwest funding animal testing? Not sure....i would imagine most banks would have their paws in unsavoury things. If you want 'ethical banking' then the Cooperative Bank might be worth a shout.

Theres a Nationwide (Building Society not Bank) by McDonalds in sutton coldfield. Whereabouts you from?

Scar_3

Phoenix79 wrote:

(Sh)Abbey are going downhill fast. RBS own Natwest and when i have dealt with them (through work) they have always been professional. As for Natwest funding animal testing? Not sure....i would imagine most banks would have their paws in unsavoury things. If you want 'ethical banking' then the Cooperative Bank might be worth a shout.

Theres a Nationwide (Building Society not Bank) by McDonalds in sutton coldfield. Whereabouts you from?

Whats happening to Abbey for them to gho down fast?! :huh:


And thanks, again. And I've PMed you.