MSE Blog: It took me eight months to switch bank 26 August 2014 at 3:51PM in Budgeting & bank accounts 6 replies 1.5K views

Former_MSE_Helen

"We've all been there. We're going out with a girl/guy (delete as appropriate) we know is no good for us, we know we could do better and yet we stay with them because… well because, often it's just easier. ..."

Read MSE Amy's full blog:
It took me eight months to switch bank


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karlie88

Do you keep meaning to switch banks but feel like something is holding you back?

No.

As soon as a new switching incentive pops up, I'm on it like a car bonnet.

Of course, having a couple of donor accounts always helps.



So far, First Direct (£125), Halifax (£100), Co-Op (£100 + £25 to charity), M&S (£100 gift card), Santander (£40 via Quidco) and Nationwide (£35 via Quidco) have all been a fruitful switch.

I await for the Post Office to offer its £100 One4all gift card again with their current account switch service and who knows, Virgin Money may even join in.

Fortunately, a lot of these switches have also led to some decent accounts, e.g. FD's 6% Reg Saver, Halifax's Reward Current Acc, Santander's 123 Current Acc and Nationwide's FlexDirect Current Acc.

Oh and by the way, I have always kept a close on my credit rating when switching to new accounts.

colsten

No # two.
..................................

Archi_Bald

Me no three.

anoncol

So what was the psychological thing holding op back? She didn't say.

Hazzanet

Quiet news day?

Herbalus

Poor Amy. It's perfectly understandable that some people will feel held back before switching, especially when you haven't done it before, don't have donor accounts, and have fewer than 2 accounts anyway. That counts all of you lot out above me! It's different when you only have one account as opposed to 10+, because it doesn't matter if it goes Pete Tong when it's your fourth barclays that you're switching.

The psychology is a fear of change, which might be irrational, but it still exists. I'm a great believer in switching for perks, but I can understand people might not be too keen. Not everybody is a 'professional' switcher.

P.S. Amy - you can avoid the £10 FD fee by having another product with them. Not all are included (see the T+Cs for which are), but the easiest is a savings account with £1 in.