How long does you bank take to process card transactions?

dbelle · 8 August 2011 at 2:12PM

Instantly, or a few days?

Currently with Santander - was Alliance and Leicester. When we were with A&L the card payment went out of my available balance immediately - meaning I couldn't spend what I didn't have.
Since the switch to Santander (still not 100% switched yet, internet banking is half way there) I am finding it is a lot slower.

Sometimes it does go out of my available balance straight away but others not. And a few days later it appears on my breakdown.

I also have a HSBC current account and the money takes days and days to go out of my available balance, which isn't very good either.

I have been considering moving to First Direct because of the free £100 for switching but if they are owned by HSBC surely it will be the same?

JacksterD · 8 August 2011 at 2:17PM

With RBS and Bank of Scotland it comes out of my available balance instantly. With the Co-Operative it takes a few days to come out of the available balance.

Bear in mind that in some instances it could be the fault of the retailer. I know a few supermarkets won't actually make the request on your card immediately, they save them up for a few days - especially when you use self service machines.

And finally, I've not got any experience of either myself, but my understanding is that First Direct's online banking hasn't been updated in years and that HSBC's is much more modern.

pmduk · 8 August 2011 at 4:26PM

Any delays I have ever had have been at the hands of the retailer.

jen245 · 8 August 2011 at 4:46PM

I bank with Natwest and Halifax, and transactions always show on my available balance immediately with both, but the money actually showing as coming out on my statement, varies with each retailer

Saints2011 · 8 August 2011 at 4:50PM

With Lloyds come off straight away.

Noble_Savage · 8 August 2011 at 5:06PM

Co-op seems to take a few days for debit cards. It's just about the only thing I don't like about the account - everything else is great.

hate-banks · 8 August 2011 at 7:24PM

I have 3 current accounts: 1 with Smile (Cooperative), 1 with Barclays and 1 with RBS. When I transfer money from any of these accounts to any of the other ones, money gets to it almost instantly. At the most it takes like 30minutes.