My RBS branch is moving to Santander

gadgetmind

And they want to move my current account.

This is more than a little annoying as we've had our account with RBS for over 20 years, and it comes with a lot of perks such as a named contact at RBS, which is something you'd have a pay a fee for nowadays.

We don't make heavy use of the features, but it is nice to hit speed dial on the 'phone, speak to someone who knows you, and say "I'm buying a car on my debit card. Please can you put my overdraft limit up to £25k for a few days, and no, I won't be paying an arrangement fee", and to get confirmation on the spot.

I'm going to hit speed dial on Monday, but wondered if there might be a better current account/bank for us rather than sticking with RBS out of inertia?

Masomnia

As I understand the situation, I think all you can do is opt to change your home branch to one in Scotland even though I imagine you live some distance away!

gadgetmind

Masomnia wrote: »

As I understand the situation, I think all you can do is opt to change your home branch to one in Scotland even though I imagine you live some distance away!

Yup, I'm in the grim North, but not North of the border.

I guess I need to call my "Relationship Manager" and get the full story, but I suspect my free ride of (so called) Private Banking without paying a fee is probably coming to an end.

atush

Oh dear, dont wait until you have problems with the new bank, just shoot yourself now lol.

I have an old RBS acct in Jersey from when we lived there, and they are transferring ti to Natwest as the Brand is 'less tainted'.

gadgetmind

atush wrote: »

they are transferring ti to Natwest as the Brand is 'less tainted'.

I'm not sure there are really any words you can put in front of "bank" that will help with that nasty whiff.

MiserlyMartin

Blimey how much is a call to Spain these days? But seriously you need to close your account. Santander are a pig to deal with, you'd be better off banking with any other bank and starting again. Santander = bank from HELL

oldvicar

I've got the same dilemma gadgetmind, from what was originally a Williams & Glyns branch in England. What I'm not sure about is what they plan to do with Direct Saver online accounts as these are centrally based in Glasgow (yes, not Edinburgh) rather than linked to branch.

The sad thing is that, if it were offered by anybody else with a decent reputation, the new Santander 123 current account might well appeal. Forget about asking for temporary increases to overdrafts etc. as you suggest, just use the decent (3%) interest rate and stick plenty in to avoid any risk of overdraft fees.

I have a current account elsewhere which I've been using more and more and expect I will ditch Santander/RBS, but am hanging on just to see what they might offer - do Santander have the equivalent of private banking?. The staff at the RBS branch I'm linked to are OK as well, so at least in the first few months (before they try to integrate with Santander IT systems) I'm pretty hopeful that they will at least be able to close accounts without complications. I would in any case be able to take all the money out first.

stclair

You can request for your personal current account to be transferred to a RBS branch in Scotland.

This can be done by calling 0800 096 3975

Opening hours: 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and
10am to 4pm weekends and Bank Holidays.

gadgetmind

oldvicar wrote: »

The sad thing is that, if it were offered by anybody else with a decent reputation, the new Santander 123 current account might well appeal. Forget about asking for temporary increases to overdrafts etc. as you suggest, just use the decent (3%) interest rate and stick plenty in to avoid any risk of overdraft fees.

I have looked at that account, and the interest rate is very good for a current account. And, as you say, I can just keep it nice and full to avoid issues.

We currently have Santander esavers and First Home Savers, and we haven't had too many problems, but when we have, it's taken ages to get things sorted as everyone tells you something different.

qpop

I would recommend keeping well away from Santander for any banking more complicated than an online-based cash ISA/saver.

Depending on the level of savings HSBC Premier is a fairly attractive proposition. The rules have got stricter more recently, but the requirements are either: "investable assets" of >£50,000 or annual income of >£100,000. The only problem is they're shifting from "named branch contacts" to the "premier direct" service, who aren't bad, but it's still a call centre.

Santander own Cater Allen - http://www.caterallen.co.uk/

But given it's all Santander branded now it may be no better than their standard bank.

I bank with First Direct now, and though you don't get a named contact I haven't yet talked to someone on their CS team who didn't know what they were talking about, and the "brand ethos" is sound. (They also give you £100 for joining up, and have a £300/month regular saver at 8% AER)

gadgetmind

qpop wrote: »

Depending on the level of savings HSBC Premier is a fairly attractive proposition. The rules have got stricter more recently, but the requirements are either: "investable assets" of >£50,000 or annual income of >£100,000.

According to the brochure, that's £50k invested with them, and the £100k has further caveats of either a >£300k mortgage with them or "a product taken out through our independent financial advisory service".

I bank with First Direct now, and though you don't get a named contact I haven't yet talked to someone on their CS team who didn't know what they were talking about, and the "brand ethos" is sound. (They also give you £100 for joining up, and have a £300/month regular saver at 8% AER)

Thanks, I've often looked at FD, and have spoken to them regards a mortgage for a holiday home (which we didn't buy), but inertia kept us with RBS.