Best Bank Account for a "switcher"

bingobob

I'm considering switching from my halifax bank account (standard current account with bolt-on websaver and a cash ISA, if i move I'll move the lot). Is it painful these days and how long does it take?

I'm an Internet addict so a good online banking site is essential and seeing as I'm making a switch are there some good accounts around that offer an incentive payment?

V interested in any recommendations?

Thanks,

bb

gloucesteroldspot

I've been trying to switch recently and opened a Premier account with Alliance and Leicester, tempted by the good interest rate. What a mistake! It prides itself on its security arrangements, but these are an own goal as I would defy anybody to remember their 12 digit codes and plethora of passwords, codes and secret questions without writing them down somewhere. It has a very eccentric system of sort codes varying according to what you are trying to do, which critically is not recognised or understood by the rest of the UK banking system, a recipe for real disaster, and it is well nigh impossible to communicate with anybody if you have a problem. It doesn't even provide an email address for queries on an internet operated account! Branch staff say it's not their problem and refuse to help. It's really not worth the few quid a month you might earn (you can only get the high rate of interest on a maximum of £2,500 at any one time anyway) if the account isn't easy to operate, efficient and problem free. Can anyone recommend an alternative? (I'm switching from First Direct, disgusted by it's policies and dispirited by the rapid decline in service standards.)

chesky369

I think Lloyds has the best website - but can't say much about the rest of their services.

bingobob

Couldn't agree more with the previous poster about the A+L website. It's woeful. We have it (me and my girlfriend) for our mortgage and joint account. Like you say, it's not good, not friendly not well formatted difficult to read balances...doesn't give me a warm feeling - I will discount them.

Seems like there's no stand out leader....maybe I should stay put !