Easy to switch current accounts?

sur76

I saw from ads its 1-2-3 to switch and all is sorted but looks like that's big lie. Due to HSBC's parrots like call centres decided to switch UK based only banks. Tried Natwest all promised to be done quickly but customer service are not interested despite sending all documents nothing happened so gave up!! Tried Nationwide but same results. Basically I just wanted to change where I send my monthly salary but seems mission impossible to me. Its straight forward change from existing UK bank account to another with no bad credit history all clean but still it seems not possible to change? Should contact FSA? Any good experiences with any other UK call centre based bank before I spend my time again!!!

Teatwosugars

Would it not be easier to go into a branch to open a bank account? They all have account switching procedures. You usually fill out 1 form to switch your Direct Debits and Standing orders whch the bank will deal with, and one form that you give to your employer for them to put the money into your new account. You may find it's much easier doing things face to face than on the telephone!

MoneySaverLog

You can trust your bank to do the switching or you can arrange the switching yourself by contacting all the companies you have DD's and SO's with.

I chose the second option when I switched to NatWest as I did not want all SO's to be moved across to them as pay will still go into Lloyds with a SO to cover the DD's being sent to NatWest.

What's left in Lloyds now is spending money / saving. :-) Also I wanted all savings related DD's/SO's to remain with Lloyds to go out to other banks like AA (Not Used) and HSBC (Regular saver for them and FD).