Best Bank Account article discussion

Moonbeam

BrandNewDay wrote: »

Halifax (Bank of Scotland) sorta tricked me out of the 6% interest today when switched. She told me that I had to open as a basic account and then could change to something else when the switching was all sorted out... and now I realize that I won't be a "new" customer! Grrrrr.:(

I'll still get the £100, though.

Not sure why they've told you to open basic account and then change - seems a bit pointless - if you can fund it with £1000 per month then should be able to open the account as a switcher.....how did you apply for it? In branch or over the phone?

regularsaver1

BrandNewDay wrote: »

Halifax (Bank of Scotland) sorta tricked me out of the 6% interest today when switched. She told me that I had to open as a basic account and then could change to something else when the switching was all sorted out... and now I realize that I won't be a "new" customer! Grrrrr.:(

I'll still get the £100, though.

That is odd - branches do not open basic accounts (they are postal)

so you may mean a current account (this is not basic) and then you can redesignate to the High interest later , but they should have put high interest now

mayb_2

I have noticed that nobody replied to the post by chriskilga regarding switching to the A&L Premier Direct Account from a Natwest Account. Is this the place to ask this question as I am thinking of doing the same thing?

I don't have an overdraft facility on my NatWestOne account as it is no longer linked to my mortgage. Will I still get an overdraft facility - no point in it being 0% if I can't have one. Also is it an easy process, how simple and efficient is the online banking facility. The NatWestOne online service is useless although the telephone service is superb. There are not many branches for A&L and the nearest one to me is about 8 miles away how easy is it to use the Post Office for paying in? Lots of other questions spring to mind.

Has anyone any experience on this or should I be posting elsewhere?

Any advice very welcome. Thanks

Chippy

ShoesAreDamnExpensive wrote: »

I applied on-line for a Halifax account nearly 2 weeks ago - but as yet I have not heard a thing - no forms or e-mails or calls. I didn't see any reference on the original application to contact them but wondered if it's simply demand and that I should just sit tight and wait for the Halifax to get their act together.

As an aside why do these big banks make these offers and then not have the staff to cope with the demand!!!!

Have you heard anything yet? I also applied online about 2 weeks ago and have had no acknowledgement at all. Like you i have no idea how to chase it up and if we don't get the account soon we won't qualify for the £100. Am I right in thinking the offer ends on the 23rd??

Anyone else in this position?

regularsaver1

pop into branch to call the call centre

offer ended 16th, but if application was done before you will be ok

DawnW

mayb wrote: »

I have noticed that nobody replied to the post by chriskilga regarding switching to the A&L Premier Direct Account from a Natwest Account. Is this the place to ask this question as I am thinking of doing the same thing?

I don't have an overdraft facility on my NatWestOne account as it is no longer linked to my mortgage. Will I still get an overdraft facility - no point in it being 0% if I can't have one. Also is it an easy process, how simple and efficient is the online banking facility. The NatWestOne online service is useless although the telephone service is superb. There are not many branches for A&L and the nearest one to me is about 8 miles away how easy is it to use the Post Office for paying in? Lots of other questions spring to mind.

Has anyone any experience on this or should I be posting elsewhere?

Any advice very welcome. Thanks

Whether or not A&L give you an overdraft depends on your circumstances I guess. The online service is not bad, works ok for me, and you can also use phone banking if you like. Paying money and cheques in at the post office is fine, they give you an envelope for cheques which they then send off. It is only a little slower than paying it in at a branch (my nearest is some distance away as well).

mayb_2

Thanks for the reply DawnW - did you use the bank account transfer service for direct debits etc?

Chippy

regularsaver1 wrote: »

pop into branch to call the call centre

offer ended 16th, but if application was done before you will be ok

Thanks for that....earlier I arranged for a call back via the web site, but they called me back on an automated system just to tell me they were closed!!

Why do you think the offer finished on the 16th...your quotes on post no's 13 and 35 state its the 23rd. Did they withdraw it early?

BrandNewDay

regularsaver1 wrote: »

That is odd - branches do not open basic accounts (they are postal)

so you may mean a current account (this is not basic) and then you can redesignate to the High interest later , but they should have put high interest now

I'm sorry, I meant a "basic" current account with no bells and whistles... no high interest rate or whatever. I don't remember her reasoning, to be honest. It was in person at the branch.

She also tried to say that the £100 wasn't on any more, but I pointed out that the brochure in their branch clearly gave the end date as the next day. She still seemed to hesitate, but I wanted assurance that they were going to honor their advertising and she was able to say they would.

Chippy

For those of you still waiting for an online application to be processed...I have just spoken to the call centre(via call back system) and it seems they have had a massive response to this account and they are still processing applications that were made several weeks ago. I was told I should hear in 3-5 days and that I would still qualify for the £100 incentive. Apparently they withdrew the £100 offer a week early because of the demand.