Making my money work best

Katiehound

Does the Nat West a/c have a monthly charge? If so you need to factor in that cost.
(I have no idea- left NW more than 10 years ago after a lifetime with them!!)

You don't need to set up a 'donor' account with DDs. I would suggest you left a sum of money, £50? in it and then wait. You can set up some DDs quite quickly if needed.

My Lloyds a/c sat there with £1 for well over a year because Lloyds changed their t&cs big time. When I saw the M&S switch deal I just 'groomed' it!! with a decent sum of money and the required DDs, so pleased I hadn't closed it in 2014.

Opening/ upgrading etc current accounts in a short time may well ring alarm bells with your credit rating, I think that is why some folk get rejected. IMHO it was very much easier to open the TSB + a/c than HSBC & M&S (and First Direct is from that stable!)

Alexdozza

Thanks all