Getting away from Santander - which bank to switch to?

scooby75

I moved from Santander to RBS, only now to find that RBS is being taken over by Santander.

There is no way I am banking with that bunch of w**kers - I'd rather stuff my money under a matress.

What would be the best bank account to switch to that Santander won't eventually get their filthy mitts on? I'll be moving £6000 (most of which I need to keep readily available for if / when I move out) and paying in wages of £1350 per month.

MoneySaverLog

You could go from one extreme to another and move to First Direct. Though interest rates are c**p with the exception of their 8% regular saver.

You could open up a couple of Classic Vantage accounts with Lloyds TSB and put £3k in each, that would give you 3% instant access on a current account.

Ultrasonic

Rather than worrying about the interest rate on the current account surely the £6k could go into an instant access savings account, most of it even into an instant access ISA if that allowance hasn't been used yet.

I've not tried them so can't give first hand experience, but First Direct keep coming top of the customer service poll on this site, and you'd get £125 for switching so I'd be tempted to go for that.

bluebird

You have the option to move to a building society rather than a bank, have you considered that?

Congratulations for leaving the pain from spain.

opinions4u

Depends.

What don't you like about Santander?

First Direct for service.

Lloyds / BoS Vantage for rate on easy access funds.

Halifax for a fiver a month and a half decent online savings account.

In these days of Faster Payments don't be afraid of having current account and savings with different banks or building societies.

scooby75

opinions4u wrote: »

Depends.

What don't you lie about Santander?

1, Removing my student overdraft without telling me when unemployed for which I incurred £400 charges.
2, Failing to deal with my complaint about this other than send a standard letter about challenging overdraft charges
3, Lying to the FOS, who agreed with the Spanish !!!!!!s, about my ignoring their letters
4, Ruining my otherwise unblemished credit history throughout all of this - even the likes of PC World won't give me credit now.

I could go on but I won't. They are thieving lying devious !!!!!.

opinions4u

4 might make it difficult to get a full facilities account elsewhere.

adamc260

scooby75 wrote: »

1, Removing my student overdraft without telling me when unemployed for which I incurred £400 charges.

I thought overdrafts were a privilege not a right myself =/ The 'not telling you' part is a bit harsh but I'm sure some form of communication would of gone out.

scooby75

adamc260 wrote: »

I thought overdrafts were a privilege not a right myself =/ The 'not telling you' part is a bit harsh but I'm sure some form of communication would of gone out.

I am not saying that I demand an overdraft - the point is that I had a contractual arrangement which they completely disregarded. At risk of going OT, their contract stated that unless there is a good reason otherwise (such as account misuse, fraud etc), they would give me 28 days notice of any changes. I did not fall into any of those categories, so as far as I'm concerned I should have received notice that they would be reducing the overdraft. I did not receive it, and if the bank thought it so important then it should have sent it recorded.

The Farsical Office of Silliness agreed that there had been no circumstances that would require no notification, but because the bank noted that a letter had been sent to me with my correct address, it is more than likely that I got the letter, with no proof of posting even being required.

Imagine if we all used that argument?. "Yes, I did pay my loan off in full Mr Debt collector. I note in my diary that I sent to you a wad of cash in an envelope that was correctly addressed and stamped, so you are deemed to have received it."

Anyway, this thread is about getting away from Santander, not about rights to an overdraft.

scott_lithgows

Is it to late to move your accounts to a Scottish branch?

I agree with opinionsforu re point 4,perhaps a word with a Nat West branch manager since its RBS sister bank.

Good luck.

MoneySaverLog

scott_lithgows wrote: »

perhaps a word with a Nat West branch manager since its RBS sister bank.

Natwest is RBS's sister, please don't tell me they are being sold to Santander :eek: