Decent banks

mp80

Morning
I'm looking to switch accounts after being with FD for the past 10 or so years. In the last 2 years, the service has (in my opinion, based on experience) gone down the pan, exacerbated by their complete inability to complete a simple re-mortage which I applied for in NOVEMBER last year - won't go into the details, but it was an absolute farce and yesterday they told me I had to start the entire process from scratch due to the AIP expiration so that was the final straw.

Having a look round, they all seem much of a muchness

I value exceptional service above miserly AER
I keep a positive balance always
No credit card debt

I am looking for advice to build investments for the future, including an account for my son, so would ideally like to keep it all in one place (again unless the difference between the miserly AERs is so great that it would be worth not doing)

I also need a remortgage at 75% LTV, so ideally a bank that fulfils the above, plus is competitive in the mortgage stakes!

Thanks
MP

anselld

I think you are unlikely to find one place that fulfils all three issues.

In my view keep banking, mortgage and investments separate. That way you can freely choose the best in class for each item.

FD are, in my view, still the best for Customer service as far as banking is concerned, but I would agree they fall short in mortgages and investments.

Archi_Bald

It's a bad idea to have all your financial affairs with a single bank, and you will almost definitely not get the best deals from a single bank.

I don't know what your definition of exceptional service, or even just service, is. I have accounts with all the banks and with a handful of Building Societies, too. In my experience, they are essentially all the same, bottom line.

mollycat

Archi_Bald wrote: »

It's a bad idea to have all your financial affairs with a single bank, and you will almost definitely not get the best deals from a single bank.

I don't know what your definition of exceptional service, or even just service, is. I have accounts with all the banks and with a handful of Building Societies, too. In my experience, they are essentially all the same, bottom line.

This ^^^ 100%.

Any differences in "service" is likely down to the individual employee rather than any difference between banks.

I'm opposite to OP; dont give a stuff about so called "service", I only care about interest rates.

xylophone

Do you mean that you wish to open a JISA for your child?

https://www.gov.uk/junior-individual-savings-accounts/overview

http://www.hl.co.uk/partners/search/junior-isa?theSource=PCHLJ&Override=1&adg=G+HLBJ+JIA+PPC&gclid=CL6swa-y6c0CFc1uGwodZWYLHg

https://www.charles-stanley-direct.co.uk/Our_Services/JISA/

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/junior-isa

https://www.uswitch.com/mortgages/75-ltv/?mortgage_search%5Bcategory%5D=remortgaging&ref=ppcgoogle~gen~PFG775069&gclid=CIv4mfWy6c0CFbEy0wodvy8GQw

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

moneysavinggirl40

You may want to look into tesco bank. 3% in current account on £3000 but you can have 2 accounts. 1.22% for internet saver, you can have more than 1 at least ( I have 3). I opened mine online within 10mins. Tesco mortgages for remortgages have free valuation and legals, I paid £195 for product, plus £25 for chaps fee for 60%LTV for 2years at 1.59%. You get clubcard points on whilst paying mortgage. also 20% overpayment per year allowed. Internet banking is okay, just got to have patience. Unsure about telephone banking and speaking to customer services. A bank to consider. But like other response to this post, I do my banking across many banks.

robatwork

FD's crown is slipping on here, there are a few rumblings that not all is well with their telephone service. That is a huge problem for them, as other banks are miles ahead with websites and email support.

That said - a bank with exceptional service? How's your luck? They're all pretty much the same now. If you have above £10,000 or so then Santander 123 will get you decent interest and "OK" service.

mp80

Thanks all
Are there any benefits to so called 'private' banking? I was interested in the Natwest service as it costs nothing more and promises 24/7 UK staff, etc... but I don't want to be hassled into buying products that make their bonuses

Cisco001

Should you be consider who give you best offer on mortgage first?

Why do you need to keep current account and mortgage for the same bank?

xylophone

Do you qualify?
http://personal.natwest.com/private.html?extcam=N_ppc_GGL_Priv_Ba_ZOM_private%20banking_Search&gclid=CMOO4czJ680CFbYV0wodnrwD5A

"Is Natwest Private right for you?
We’ll talk you through the benefits - and help you decide whether a Private Bank account is right for you. If you'd like we can book you in to meet for a chat with a Private Banking Manager.

Eligibility criteria

In order to qualify for NatWest Private, you’ll need either:
a sole income of at least £100,000 paid into your NatWest account
a minimum outstanding mortgage borrowings with us of £300,000
or savings and investments of at least £100,000 held with us"

mp80

Yep, I qualify on income, but only just. (125k salary)