changing current account questions

split_second

Hi all not been on here for a long time :rotfl:

Anyway, thinking about changing the bank I have for my current account, been with the same one nearly my whole working life but one bad bit of service too many and the camel's back has been broken. got a few questions if anyone can help?

There is an account switching service now, back the last time I did it the bank were supposed to do it but I had to do everything myself (a couple of decades back :rotfl:), does it automatically cancel the old account?

my main anxiety is being dumped with a card that isnt accepted anywhere like a visa electron (do they even exist?) or an atm card, is this something that still exists or are they all visa/maestro now?

I havent worked at my job very long (couple of months) if everything else is fine, would this likely be a problem? *disclaimer- i know this is possibly a dumb/unanswerable question, ignore if it is, thanks*

darkidoe

Use the switching service. It's a breeze. All payments setup will be transferred over to the new account and the old account will be closed automatically. Which Bank are you planning to switch to? Try to make use of one of the switching bonus to earn a few quid,

I have not seen a visa electron for ages. It's just visa or visa debit now.

As long as you have some form of credit history, I don't think its very difficult to open a current account at all.

grumbler

MSE: 7-day bank switching era begins: Full Q&A on what it means for you

First you open a new account, then you switch to it. Don't switch if you don't like it.

AFAIK, neither Electron nor Maestro exist it UK anymore. It's all Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit. However, cashcards do exist with some basic accounts.

diamonds

Clydesdale or Yorkshire Bank pay out incentive cashback (was £150 until 31/3) on their basic Readycash account with a Mastercard Debit card, im sure a revised offer will be back soon.

Paul_1977

Do Santander still issue those flat cards, dreadful things.

anniecave

Yorkshire Bank have a fob thing (might be what you mean by a flat card). Not a card reader. It has a unique PIN and I find it very annoying!


I've recently used switching service. Much better than it used to be!

grumbler

Paul_1977 wrote: »

Do Santander still issue those flat cards, dreadful things.

What's 'dreadful' about them? If you mean 'online' cards, they can be embossed in other banks. One of my Santander cards unembossed, and I have no problems with this.

split_second

Paul_1977 wrote: »

Do Santander still issue those flat cards, dreadful things.

they were the electron cards, they were purple when normal debit cards were green.

the numbers used to scratch off and once your signature strip wore off (which didnt take long as atms used to ruin them) or the black strip got ever so slightly damaged, they were a nightmare.

i remember having to check with shops if they accepted electron cards were accepted (they usually weren't) before i shopped there

split_second

anniecave wrote: »

Yorkshire Bank have a fob thing (might be what you mean by a flat card). Not a card reader. It has a unique PIN and I find it very annoying!


I've recently used switching service. Much better than it used to be!

santander don't use card readers at all, natwest one looks like a pocket calculator :rotfl:

diamonds

split_second wrote: »

they were the electron cards, they were purple when normal debit cards were green.

the numbers used to scratch off and once your signature strip wore off (which didnt take long as atms used to ruin them) or the black strip got ever so slightly damaged, they were a nightmare.

i remember having to check with shops if they accepted electron cards were accepted (they usually weren't) before i shopped there

I still have one of both them in a drawer full of personal effects. Bright lime green

Had to pay my fuel on my personal current account and transfer from my business account as they issued Electron with business accounts and late night driving home I could not get petrol at self service, what a royal pain in the bottom it was :rotfl:


They purple cards were a nightmare, had a savings account with one too, memories... (thankfully) you gave me a laugh for a split second

diamonds

split_second wrote: »

santander don't use card readers at all, natwest one looks like a pocket calculator :rotfl:

So does its big bro RBS lol