Back in the UK; where to put my savings?

soldave

After 10 years in Japan, I have finally moved back to the UK and am going to be starting work here in a week's time. I've got about £17,000 in cash right now in a HSBC current account and fixed rate savers, and will be getting around £2,400 gross each month in salary.

Question is, where should I be putting this cash? There are going to be a couple of expenses later in the year (including the wife's visa), but am wanting to get some savings going.

I'm thinking £5,760 into an ISA from the Post Office but am not so sure about the rest.

Does anyone have any thoughts for someone who needs to quickly get up to speed with UK finances once again? Thanks in advance

hunsbury0

check out Santander current 123 a/c.

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1237892266671&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_ViewSelector

soldave

I looked at Santander, but have heard nothing but bad things from people I know who've had accounts with them (and subsequently moved to other accounts).

I've now maxed out a cash ISA with the Post Office. Wondering whether I should just wait until April and put the rest of my savings into an ISA too.

ariba10

We have been with Santander since they were Giro bank and never had a problem.
Have never been in a branch office as the nearest one is seven miles away (Never had cause to)

Done everything online.

ColdIron

soldave wrote: »

I looked at Santander, but have heard nothing but bad things from people I know who've had accounts with them

Let me help redress that balance. I have had nothing but good experiences with them and I love my 123 accounts

A number of years ago they did have problems integrating Abbey but this has been resolved for quite some time now

It would be unwise to dismiss one of the best current accounts on mere heresay. Look at the facts

Archi_Bald

soldave, check out the posts of people who have the 123 account. You will find a very different picture from the one you have seen.

I personally have had the 123 for close to two years, and it's been one of the best accounts I ever had.

The anti-Santander posters seem to be slowly dying out because their arguments don't hold water any more. However, if you would rather believe them, you could look at alternatives, such as Lloyds and BoS Vantage, or TSB Enhance. I have these accounts, too, but don't find them as easy to use as the 123, and they don't pay me as much as the 123 because there is no reliable cashback with them.

hunsbury0

I have been lucky so far with Santander paying 3% on the 2 a/cs. I earn more cashback than the £4 pm they deduct for the 2 a/cs.
No problems so far.