Switch to Santander?

Blue_Elephant

I'm thinking of switching to Santander's preferred account from barclays, mostly because I'm getting no interest with my current account. I didn't want to mess about with bank accounts while I had other financial priorities, but I'm getting to a position where these are nearly sorted.

However, I've heard horror stories about Santander. What do you think?

BlueC

Don't bother, they are horrendous. The worst bank I have ever banked with.

If you have enough money in your current account to be bothered about interest on it then that money should probably be in a savings account. The interest on a current account is probably going to be about £2 per year... not really worth the hassle of changing accounts and certainly not worth the hassle of having to deal with Santander.

adamc260

My experience has been very positive with them. I used the switching service and it has been fault free. I've spoken to them on the phone to open their regular saver and they were really helpful and friendly. People moan about Aviva insurance too in a big way but I've been with them for a few years and they've also been brilliant.

Don't believe everything you read online, think of the millions of customers they have yet you may only see a few complaints. Things need to be put into perspective.

IrishGypsy

Blue_Elephant wrote: »

I'm thinking of switching to Santander's preferred account from barclays, mostly because I'm getting no interest with my current account. I didn't want to mess about with bank accounts while I had other financial priorities, but I'm getting to a position where these are nearly sorted.

However, I've heard horror stories about Santander. What do you think?

It depends on how you handle it really. If you can afford to drop £2500 into a new Santander current account (and still leave enough to cover all that months bills with Barclays), then you'll have no reason to worry. There'll be enough cash for the move in both accounts AND the £2500 will be your first months credit meaning 5% on that balance from day one. And I'd go into a branch and do the account opening and switch so you can confirm that the actual switching process is processed before you leave.

thomasdown

adamc260 wrote: »

My experience has been very positive with them. I used the switching service and it has been fault free. I've spoken to them on the phone to open their regular saver and they were really helpful and friendly. People moan about Aviva insurance too in a big way but I've been with them for a few years and they've also been brilliant.

Don't believe everything you read online, think of the millions of customers they have yet you may only see a few complaints. Things need to be put into perspective.

Totally agree with this Adam. But just wait until something happens? I hope it don't happen to you like it did me, everything was going great with Santander. Until I had £1670 taken out of my account (5 mins after being paid) and on 20th December just in time for XMAS. It took them 2 weeks to refund the money whilst investigating where as other banks refund you straight away whilst investigating. Then blame me saying it was my internet security but they know its fraud? (I think its someone in the bank somewhere) Confused? So am I and its only just been sorted out yesterday so a whopping 2 months? So personally I wouldn't recommend them to anyone, customer service is shocking I feel?

Tiggy_Wiggy

I've been with Alliance & Leicester (now Santander) for years, and have a number of products with them Had a couple of minor issues over the years but no serious problems.

Can't fault them, so recomment them. But that's just my opinion.

dave_dph

If you apply online within the next 5 days there is also £75 cashback:

http://www.topcashback.co.uk/santander/