Best bank for current account?

gazfocus

Following a bad experience with Nationwide, I am once again on the hunt for a new current account.

Basically, I applied for a Nationwide FlexDirect account, asked them to switch my account from Barclays (apparently they never received the details) and now have reduced the overdraft from £750 to £250 and are now charging me 50p per day for the privileged.

I filed a complaint but they told me I left it too late to complain and they're not willing to review my overdraft until March next year.

Unsurprisingly, Nationwide offered to go ahead with the account switch but I explained that if I do that, I will be £500 out of pocket while they take they're £500 reduction in my overdraft.

So, now I have told them to close the account and I am now looking for a new bank account. I want a current account for myself, one for my wife and also a joint account.

Can anyone please recommend a good current account?

colsten

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts

Note that current account switching does not include the switch of any overdraft arrangements. Not sure why you went ahead with a switch request if the overdraft on your new account was less than you needed. http://www.paymentscouncil.org.uk/switch_service/faqs/

clara75

There's no such thing as a 'Best bank', they're all equally bad It also depends what you need them for.

Having said that, I have accounts with Barclays and First Direct, they both have decent overdraft options, good online banking and apps, and decent service (FD better than Barclays). I've tried the Halifax Reward before - as a secondary account, and went back to FD. I never left Barclays, I'm quite happy with their "current account plus" option.

gazfocus

colsten wrote: »

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts

Note that current account switching does not include the switch of any overdraft arrangements. Not sure why you went ahead with a switch request if the overdraft on your new account was less than you needed. http://www.paymentscouncil.org.uk/switch_service/faqs/

Thanks for the link, but I don't think you read my OP properly with regard to the overdraft. I didn't go ahead with the switch process.

clara75 wrote: »

There's no such thing as a 'Best bank', they're all equally bad It also depends what you need them for.

Having said that, I have accounts with Barclays and First Direct, they both have decent overdraft options, good online banking and apps, and decent service (FD better than Barclays). I've tried the Halifax Reward before - as a secondary account, and went back to FD. I never left Barclays, I'm quite happy with their "current account plus" option.

Thanks. I'm trying to get away from Barclays to be honest - the main reason is because they are the one bank that doesn't open in our town on a Saturday and I work full time so the only way of getting into a branch is to travel 30 miles to the nearest one that opens on a Saturday.

Our mortgage is with Halifax so I was considering applying to them.

clara75

The Halifax Reward account is considered a good option... it gives you £5 monthly plus the £100 switching reward. Their overdraft daily fee of £1 isn't exactly friendly though... assuming you care about that.

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/reward-current-account/

clara75

PS. You could also look into the Ultimate Reward account, there is a monthly fee but it covers ww travel insurance, AA breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance, home emergency cover etc - all for a fee of £10 per month - if you meet certain conditions. And it comes with a £300 interest-free overdraft option so it's not a bad account...

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/ultimate-reward-current-account/

Archi_Bald

clara75 wrote: »

PS. You could also look into the Ultimate Reward account, there is a monthly fee but it covers ww travel insurance, AA breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance, home emergency cover etc - all for a fee of £10 per month - if you meet certain conditions. And it comes with a £300 interest-free overdraft option so it's not a bad account...

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/ultimate-reward-current-account/

If you want that, you'll do much better with a Nationwide FlexPlus as that one also pays 3% interest.

gazfocus

Archi_Bald wrote: »

If you want that, you'll do much better with a Nationwide FlexPlus as that one also pays 3% interest.

Did you even read the op? :-p

gazfocus

Anymore thoughts?

Dobbibill

It depends what you are looking for with a 'best current account'

Are you looking for an account to reward you for switching? One that rewards you every month if you stay in credit and pay your bills from it? Or maybe one that has an overdraft to use with minimum cost?

Let us know what your plans for the new account are and we may have some suggestions that are suitable for your needs. Unfortunately it's not a one size fits all.

Good luck

DB

gazfocus

Not overly bothered about an overdraft or rewards, just a good bank with good customer service really.