basic current account with instant online update??

gtanny

Hi all,

ill get the question out the way first and give an explanation after, im after a basic current account that has a good online system with a correct available balance (an android app would be nice but aslong as i can check via browser ill be happy). i currently have a co-op cashminder account but the online side of it is terrible and has led to more problems with me knowing what i have available then i care to remember.

i require a basic one as i have a bad credit record being bankrupt last year (released aug 2011) im still sorting out my file cleanup so i still have some (incorrect) outstanding ccj's

i have just moved home and job so i would also like to get this sorted too. i will be paying in around £1950-2200 a month depending on overtime but this seems irrelevant due to my credit history.

cheers in advance, i plan to get this sorted tomorrow so will check back throughout the night

BugsyBrowne

Try Barclays pretty sure they'll take you.

jen245

Agree with Bugsy, Barclays cash account. Their Android app is excellent, and has up to date balances. Im not keen on their online banking, i find it a bit all over the place, so i use tend to use the app more.

System

Try a Halifax Easycash

They have good online banking and an Android / iphone app available. The account is upgradable unlike Barclays Cash Account should you run the account ok.

dtmark

I had/have exactly the same question.

I don't have credit history problems now, but have had the same Halifax Easycash account for a very long time, the Visa Electron debit card works everywhere (with, I think, only one exception I ever noticed - that being M&S online though maybe they take them now).

They try to get me to upgrade the account every time I ring them, but I prefer the Electron card because it means I'll never end up paying any bank charges for overdrafts; I don't allow any kind of automated payments or direct debits to be made from my account so it never goes overdrawn and they have made precisely zero in charges from me in the last decade or so.

The banking side of it works fine and actually I've found their customer service to be quite helpful. The online banking is in real time and the balance is accurate. (I know what you mean about the Co-Op, it is nearly useless, which is why I rule them out).

However the Halifax online banking service is flaky, increasingly so, you log in, click a link, and get logged out and round you go again. This has been getting worse for a while - it appears that the server(s) are simply overloaded. This will presumably get fixed at some point, it's not a showstopper, just irritating.

Faster Payments work well - confirms on screen that will or will not be a faster payment (unlike the Co-op, I think) and you can see the debited entry in the ledger right away.

My main reason for a second bank account is the increasing incidence of banking networks going down denying you access to money for anything from a few hours to a few weeks.

Which is why I had the question - I might try the Barclays one as I have the same criteria - realtime online banking and an Electron card, I can't see any real advantage to having the "standard current account" over the basic one apart from an overdraft and since I don't allow automated payments, I don't need one.

It was only the post above that made me look at the Barclays one again as I didn't think it offered a debit card, and it does, so glad I read this

BugsyBrowne

dtmark wrote: »

I had/have exactly the same question.

I don't have credit history problems now, but have had the same Halifax Easycash account for a very long time, the Visa Electron debit card works everywhere (with, I think, only one exception I ever noticed - that being M&S online though maybe they take them now).

They try to get me to upgrade the account every time I ring them, but I prefer the Electron card because it means I'll never end up paying any bank charges for overdrafts; I don't allow any kind of automated payments or direct debits to be made from my account so it never goes overdrawn and they have made precisely zero in charges from me in the last decade or so.

The banking side of it works fine and actually I've found their customer service to be quite helpful. The online banking is in real time and the balance is accurate. (I know what you mean about the Co-Op, it is nearly useless, which is why I rule them out).

However the Halifax online banking service is flaky, increasingly so, you log in, click a link, and get logged out and round you go again. This has been getting worse for a while - it appears that the server(s) are simply overloaded. This will presumably get fixed at some point, it's not a showstopper, just irritating.

Faster Payments work well - confirms on screen that will or will not be a faster payment (unlike the Co-op, I think) and you can see the debited entry in the ledger right away.

My main reason for a second bank account is the increasing incidence of banking networks going down denying you access to money for anything from a few hours to a few weeks.

Which is why I had the question - I might try the Barclays one as I have the same criteria - realtime online banking and an Electron card, I can't see any real advantage to having the "standard current account" over the basic one apart from an overdraft and since I don't allow automated payments, I don't need one.

It was only the post above that made me look at the Barclays one again as I didn't think it offered a debit card, and it does, so glad I read this

I would say by this post you'd actually love to have a normal account but you actually don't trust yourself with an adult current account and prefer a children's debit card.

dfw1980

Natwest basic account also has a decent iphone app that updates instantly.. Cant speak for an android version tho

InsideInsurance

Most of the banks online systems update "instantly" but of cause remember that not all transactions are instant and so even with the best will in the world from your bank they can never guarantee amounts are correct (eg if you give someone a cheque and before they receive cleared funds). Evidently you can help yourself by having an online only card

dr_adidas01

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

I would say by this post you'd actually love to have a normal account but you actually don't trust yourself with an adult current account and prefer a children's debit card.

Hmm a childrens debit card never thought of it that way.....lol

dr_adidas01

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Most of the banks online systems update "instantly" but of cause remember that not all transactions are instant and so even with the best will in the world from your bank they can never guarantee amounts are correct (eg if you give someone a cheque and before they receive cleared funds). Evidently you can help yourself by having an online only card

True they do except for Co-Op Bank there's takes 3 days to update balances. The system is so antiquated and needs updating very badly.