changing banks

sammiboo

Friday I applied for an account with allience and leicester. I am currently with Barclays and cant wait to get rid tbh.

Does anyone here have an Allience and Leicester account? How do you find them? My boyfriend switched to them and rates them. So i thought i would give them a go.

I have only ever banked with Barclays

SunderlandBlackCat

I started the move from Barclays to A&L between Christmas & New Year its all gone pretty smoothly so far & they're in the process of moving my DD's & Standing orders over.

The one thing I'm disappointed with is the user interface for the online banking is really poor compared to Barclays but for a 0% overdraft & 6% interest on positive balances I can live with it.

sammiboo

How did you find barclays? I have found them useless tbh.

When i had a serious accident and out lucky to be alive I asked them if i could reduce my loan payments for two months until I was back at work. I wasnt getting any sick pay so i was literally financially on by backside!

They said they wouldnt reduce my payments but they could offer me another loan so the extra money could go on paying the loan back :mad:

Then have stung me £30 going over my overdraft.

I was too lazy to move banks as i been woth these for years but i have had enough.

I took my loan away from barclays, I am paying a much cheaper APR, i told them about this loan i was getting and asked if they could beat it rather than lose my custom but they didnt even attempt to :rolleyes:

GettingThingsDone

I've just joined A+L (through Quidco) and have no complaints for my first month there.

So far, so good. But then this time I intend to be good i.e. make sure I keep an eye on my balance and be in control of what goes in and comes out.

All of my bad banking experiences have come when I've needed them most (and they've needed me least I guess). I think that unless you are with Coutts and Co or similar private bank, then they're all the same at the end of the day.

GirlRacer_2

How are you coping with A&L? Was tempted to join up myself. Currently with Halifax, got a Halifax branch in my town so it's really easy if I get a problem and need to speak to a 'human being'.

The thing that put me off A&L was the fact that there was no branch in my location. What cashpoints can you draw money out of free of charge? Is your money easily accesible?

steve700

I've been with Alliance & Leicester (previously National Girobank.....) for about 20 years!!

I changed to a Premier Online a/c about 18 months ago and I reckon that it's great. No more hanging on the telephone until an operator becomes available....

I'm quite happy with it

sammiboo

My boyfriend is with them and has no problems, he moved from Halifax

There isnt one in Oswestry unfortunately but this hasnt put him off. He withdraws from halifax, and most ATMs and doesnt get charged.

I got the email today to tell me they have accepted my application and i should hear from them in the next few days.

I am really looking forward to leaving barclays and getting this overdraft sorted!

GirlRacer_2

What about the Direct Debit side of things, any problems changing them over?

sammiboo

He didnt - he said they send you a list of what DD you have then you just tell them which ones you want them to take over.

I will be cancelling some anyway, so this will be a good time for me to do it.

GirlRacer_2

I may give it some more thought, look into it again. Thanks for the advice

sammiboo

I'll let you know how i get on, as soon as i get all the paperwork i will be changing.