BOS Vantage

innovate

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks for that info. Did you apply online? My application, which I went ahead with before your reply (patience not being one of my many virtues ) asked how many current accounts I have, what this account will be used for, and and my total savings

I applied online for the first one. Is that what they asked for? I can't remember, lol, probably suffering from selective amnesia. Does happen as you get older, doesn't it.

The 2nd one I could apply for online, that's why I called (see my post about that). It's appeared online now, and has already been filled. Still need to apply for the 3rd one - might do that tonight, when I get free 0845 calls (because I refuse to burn up a month's worth of interest on a phone call).

innovate

jennifernil wrote: »

I opened one on Monday evening, it appeared on my internet banking screen today.

Presumably they send stuff in the post? Does it need a certain minimum deposit to activate it?

I am preparing to switch from Lloyds if necessary, as our branch is being sold.

You get some T&C bumph through the post, yes. And debit card, PIN code etc. My card for my first account arrived today, still waiting on the PIN. Also got a "welcome to Internet Banking" today, with a different userid to my Halifax one.

Not sure what you mean by "activating" the account? As soon as it shows online, you can use it to receive faster payments. I won't be withdrawing any money from mine for a month or so, so won't know until then whether faster payments out will work. Suppose it's a matter of trying.

PS. Interestingly, the address of the BoS Internet Banking Help Desk is Newport, South Wales, NP10 8SB. Surprised they don't have that business in Scotland.

jennifernil

Yes, got my "welcome pack" today, also my debit card, PIN still to come.

I was thinking along the lines of how Halifax needed a deposit of £100 to trigger the debit card, but obviously BOS are doing it differently.

I also got sent a new internet user name etc (without asking), but I have rung them and pointed out that I am already registered and using their internet banking, as I have existing Halifax and BOS accounts, so they have cancelled the new log-in details. It really would be too confusing to have 2 lots of details!

I too was surprised to see the stuff came from Wales. BOS is "the new Lloyds" in Scotland, as all our Lloyds TSB branches are being sold, may be a connection there.

Although BOS/Halifax and Lloyds are separate meantime, they are now using the same systems. We recently opened a new BOS credit card, and were surprised to see it show up on the Lloyds internet banking, apparently that only happens with the newer credit cards.

We also found that despite it being a BOS card, the letters about it were headed "Halifax", and when you ring them they answer as LLoyds......really confusing!

savetilibleed

I have three LTSB Vantage accounts with the 4% thing.

I don't have any BOS accounts unless Halifax (a Reward account) counts.
(edit: I know it doesn't now)

BOS want to know details of savings, income etc. I know they have to know but I don't think I'm comfortable with them knowing all of it. I do just qualify with the £1000/m but as of January next I won't, not that that would prevent me being able to transfer £1000 in and out. Do I have to have any DDs with them? It's messy enough as it is with the requirement of LTSB for the 4% to have DDs on the two accounts used solely for saving. These accounts beats the pants off even fixed rate accounts.

Oh and I wouldn't want their cheques or debit card. Can I opt out? Mixed messages here I know!

innovate

BOS Vantage works exactly the same as 'old' Lloyds Vantage, i.e. pay in £1K a month and get 3% AER on balances between £3K and £5K. No DDs needed.

I told them I don't want a cheque book, and a card only for the first account. Too early to say whether they manage to do so but if they don't, I'll shred what I don't need.

As to the questions they ask when opening an account - I didn't feel they were much different to what other banks ask. I felt I could tell them what they wanted to know, in return for the 3% AER.

gwyn1_2

Opened Classic Vantage (BoS) yesterday, showing on my screen today but just showing as Classic, no mention of Vantage. Is this the same for others who have just opened one.

savetilibleed

innovate wrote: »

BOS Vantage works exactly the same as 'old' Lloyds Vantage, i.e. pay in £1K a month and get 3% AER on balances between £3K and £5K. No DDs needed.

I told them I don't want a cheque book, and a card only for the first account. Too early to say whether they manage to do so but if they don't, I'll shred what I don't need.

As to the questions they ask when opening an account - I didn't feel they were much different to what other banks ask. I felt I could tell them what they wanted to know, in return for the 3% AER.

Understand about the £K/m to get 3% between £3K-£5K thanks. Ah no DDs - that's good!

I got partway through the application before backing out where it asked if I wanted a Debit card. I didn't see a similar option for a cheque book. Maybe that would have come if I'd continued.

I guess I hadn't had to answer such questions - not on savings anyway - before. I did have to regarding income for one LTSB Vantage a/c opened by phone.

Almost forgot - they ask for a temporary password for internet banking. I can log on to BoS using my Halifax details (I have no BoS a/cs). Does this mean I'll have two sets of logon details when registered if I go ahead?

innovate

gwyn1 wrote: »

Opened Classic Vantage (BoS) yesterday, showing on my screen today but just showing as Classic, no mention of Vantage. Is this the same for others who have just opened one.

You need to add Vantage yourself. It's an option well hidden - I am mobile and don't have my bank login details with me right now, so can't remember exactly: I think there's a "benefits" tab, and on there is a link to add Vantage. I did that on my first account, it seemed to work, but apparently it hadn't.......best to call them to get it done, it seems.

savetilibleed wrote: »

Almost forgot - they ask for a temporary password for internet banking. I can log on to BoS using my Halifax details (I have no BoS a/cs). Does this mean I'll have two sets of logon details when registered if I go ahead?

Yes, they ignore that you are already a HBOS customer and send you new login details. Suppose you don't need to use them, except if you wanted to apply for another BoS account whilst logged in. Everything else (paying bills, setting up SOs etc) seems to be possible through the Halifax login.

gwyn1_2

Thanks innovate. I searched through the screens relating to the account and after about four screens found one that said this your account with Advantage. To be sure phoned them, initially was told it was not on then someone else it was and it will show tomorrow on the screen.

When I signed up on line it gave me a choice of Classic or Classic with Advantage which is they one I clicked on. Appears to mirror Lloyds TSB, the same happened with them, the word Vantage appeared the 24 hours after the account appeared on line.

Have to say that the Customer Services for both Lloyds and BoS are very nice to deal with and if I was not so impatient and had waited I probably would not have had to phone them.

innovate

Done my number 3 now, again on the phone. Took about 20 mins (had to sit through the full account opening script) but the agent was very pleasant to speak to, and I called during my free 0845 time, so didn't clock up any phone bill. All in all very painless and worth my while if they keep paying at least 3% AER.