New bank, any suggestions ??

sue_sue_2

Hi all,

I have been with Natwest since I worked for them for a short while in my early twenties. However, I'm now fed up with their mistakes and muck ups they frequently make on my account and their shocking due to terrible customer service I have decided to switch.

Can anybody recommend a good account with a small overdraft and a bank with good customer service ? I have had nationwide and Santander recommended to me.

Also, does anybody have any information on how the 7 day switch service works ?

Thank you

Thrugelmir

What mistakes? Current account banking should be straightforward as isn't complex.

sue_sue_2

Hi, I have had my accounts frozen by mistake last year and have had a number of charges applied for no reason which means I have to keep calling them up etc.

Also feel that it's probably time for a change anyway !

1jim

I have recently moved from smile to nationwide

There was a mess up with the application process online, they couldn't find the application for sometime, then one day everything just turned up. The 7 day switch went very smoothly with no issues at all. The online banking has been great once I got used to having the card reader to log in with.

I have just applied for and been accepted for credit card from nationwide as well, this has gone smoothly, has appeared online account already, just waiting for cards now.

Overall am quite happy with nationwide :-)

sue_sue_2

Hi 1jim , thanks for this info ! Do you pay a monthly fee for your account ?

YorkshireBoy

sue_sue wrote: »

Also, does anybody have any information on how the 7 day switch service works ?

Every bank's website has information on the 7-day switch service.


Additionally, see here...


http://www.simplerworld.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

1jim

sue_sue wrote: »

Hi 1jim , thanks for this info ! Do you pay a monthly fee for your account ?

No, I have the flexdirect account which is free. I am seriously thinking about the flexplus account though and might change to this before summer holiday and when breakdown policy due for renewal

System

Most banks these days make overdrafts very expensive because they levy a standard daily/monthly charge as well as the interest.

I moved to the Clydesdale Direct Current Account because they offer 4% interest on credit balances and their overdraft rate is lower than most banks with no daily charge on top.

Clydesdale operates under the Yorkshire Bank brand in England and Clydesdale in Scotland. You can choose which brand to go with wherever you live. The advantage of Clydesdale is that you can use the Post Office to deposit cash/cheques and withdraw cash - for some reason Yorkshire doesn't offer the Post Office facility apart from with their basic account.

I switched my account to them in seven days with no problems at all. My salary appeared in the account on the dot even though I hadn't let my employer know at that stage. Bear in mind the seven day switch starts when your new account is fully open - that could take a couple of weeks by the time you get the paperwork to sign and send back.

The only negative is that you have to sign up online then wait for them to ring you to open the account. You can speed up the process by contacting them by phone - there are 0800 numbers available if you search this forum or check with www.saynoto0870.com for alternative contact numbers.

Sparx

1jim wrote: »

There was a mess up with the application process online, they couldn't find the application for sometime, then one day everything just turned up. The 7 day switch went very smoothly with no issues at all. The online banking has been great once I got used to having the card reader to log in with.

You know you don't need the card reader to login Nationwide's online banking? On the right-hand side just click "Log in using memorable data".

YorkshireBoy

scgf wrote: »

I moved to the Clydesdale Direct Current Account because they offer 4% interest on credit balances and their overdraft rate is lower than most banks with no daily charge on top.

Agreed, but cross the line and they penalise you heavily with one of the highest unauthorised overdraft interest rates on the market and also the heftiest of fees (the worst of all the banks?).


Anyone prone to slip ups should avoid!

System

I would concur with that. However most people fall out with their bank because they slip over an authorised overdraft. These days you've just got to make sure it doesn't happen. (Famous last words, no doubt, lol).