Barclays or HSBC for current account?

Bloomberg

dezza wrote: »

Since RBS has elected to do like Lloyds in regards to overdraft charges (fee + interest), I've been looking to move my main account elsewhere.

If I use my overdraft, it's only for a few days a month and never in excess of £100, so the RBS new charging scheme is very expensive compared to the current one, which doesn't cost anything for less than £100 o/d.

After looking at a few high street banks, it seems only a couple still charge only interest - the ones with daily fees again for me would be impractical.

I've been looking at Barclays and HSBC accounts, and was wondering if either of these are any good? Obviously all banks have good and bad stories, but are either of these better/worse than other banks in general?

Thanks for any advice.

I agree that the HSBC website offers more information. The ability to see pending payments is also a very big thing for me. When it comes to packaged accounts Barclays really do put HSBC in the shade. I use HSBC as my main account and Barclays for the RAC cover, phone insurance and legal helpline.


Another area where Barclays put HSBC in the shade is with their mobile banking app. With Barclays you can transfer money between your accounts as well as pay bills. With HSBC's lame app all you can do is look at accounts which you have a card for, they really need to sort this out.

dezza

Sorry if it's a daft question, but by pending payments do you mean it's possible to see how much has been authorised from your card - as reflected in the available balance? Or does it tell you the details of the actual transaction?

Bloomberg

dezza wrote: »

Sorry if it's a daft question, but by pending payments do you mean it's possible to see how much has been authorised from your card - as reflected in the available balance? Or does it tell you the details of the actual transaction?

Pending payments show credits and debits which are due to be applied to your account the next working day. For example if you get your wages paid into your HSBC account you can go on line at any time the previous day and it will show how much you will get the next day. Also it will show direct debits due to leave your account.

dezza

Ah ok thanks I see, sounds similar to what RBS show on a Saturday if payments go in/out on a Monday - I think?

pmduk

dezza wrote: »

Ah ok thanks I see, sounds similar to what RBS show on a Saturday if payments go in/out on a Monday - I think?

Yes, but whereas with RBS you can transact on that money from the Saturday, you can't with HSBC

dezza

Fair enough, that wouldn't really bother me - but to see the pending payments would be useful still.

You-kip

This thread is like asking someone Sunday Roast or Full English as everyone's different and what suits one person might not suit the other.

dezza

You-kip wrote: »

This thread is like asking someone Sunday Roast or Full English as everyone's different and what suits one person might not suit the other.

I understand what you're saying but was just interested to find out the general consensus of both brands - as looking at reviews around the web, all banks seem to score 1-2 out of 5, and just wanted to get a more balanced opinion.

kloana

Bloomberg wrote: »

With HSBC's lame app all you can do is look at accounts which you have a card for, they really need to sort this out.

Yep, it's a bit poo - all I've ever used it for is to compare the difference between balance and available balance (I have a habit of chucking card receipts), and to check that money paid into an automated PIM has actually credited (I use these a lot). Otherwise it's pretty useless - the info being no different from what you'd see on an ATM ministatement.

dalesrider

dezza wrote: »

Sorry if it's a daft question, but by pending payments do you mean it's possible to see how much has been authorised from your card - as reflected in the available balance? Or does it tell you the details of the actual transaction?

No it only shows payments such as DD's, S/O & future dated faster payments, both in and out.
NOT card payments.