Replacing soon defunct n&p gold classic a/c

ampersand

As above.

Opened this world-wide usage+fee-free a/c following good advice here several years ago.

Branch staff were in state of shock recently with closure and takeover axing their jobs by August.

Checked with main Bank, Natwest, to see if they had anything comparable upcoming - no.

I do not use credit cards - never have, never would. OAP, with sporadic+variable other wkly cash income. I liked the unfixed date+ revolving door aspect of the £500 mthly deposit>the N&P a/c.

Any recommendations for something similar please? - travel is mostly France, NZ.

Thankyou in advance for any help.

grumbler

For France - Metro Bank - if you have a branch nearby.
For France and NZ - Clarity credit card - if you can get it. Otherwise check Cheapest prepaid travel cards, especially Revolut

WillPS

OP doesn't want a Credit Card, even though that would undoubtedly be the best value.

Metro Bank is the best option if you can get to one of their branches. Nationwide's FlexPlus also has free overseas cash withdrawals but it's £10/month - might make sense if you can make use of the other insurances packaged in.

Virgin Money is also worth a look in as they don't charge for overseas Visa Debit usage (still £1.50 for cash withdrawals though); bare in mind their online facilities are limited to pretty much checking your balance (no real 'banking').

grumbler

bear in mind

Metro Bank is the best for for Europe only, no good for NZ.
That's why a prepaid card can be much better for the OP than any debit card.

ampersand

Thank you both.
A metro branch opened opposite N&P in town of gown last year.

When I enquired, £1500 mthly was required. Not from &, thank you.
My late maman started up the budget/ debt arm of an NZ govt dept many years ago. Buying things on the Never-never was a horror unfolding in the late 50s, early 60s.
I refuse to pay fees. NatWest has use of my money in savings, paying me less interest than they gain. That's ok: that's the offset.

I'll check with metro again, otherwise Halifax, with whom I have a dormant account, which I think they wanted to close for that reason, pre- N&P.

Thankyou again. Pre-paid, will investigate, but will still want access to wkly pension.

grumbler

ampersand wrote: »

Thank you both.
A metro branch opened opposite N&P in town of gown last year.

When I enquired, £1500 mthly was required. Not from &, thank you.

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/

Eligibility

You can apply for our Current Account if:

• You’re aged 18 or over
• You’re resident in the UK.

glider3560

ampersand wrote: »

A metro branch opened opposite N&P in town of gown last year.

When I enquired, £1500 mthly was required. Not from &, thank you.

I have colleagues who opened accounts at the Cambridge branch without needing to fund with £1500 each month. I opened mine in Chiswick (long before the Cambridge branch opened) and don't need to make a minimum deposit.

ampersand wrote: »

Thankyou again. Pre-paid, will investigate, but will still want access to wkly pension.

The prepaid card would not need to replace your current account, it could run alongside. Top it up before travelling and then top up when required.

My parents are also of the opinion credit cards are always bad. I guess it must be a generational thing. I have a direct debit set up to automatically clear the balance every month from my current account. If I only make purchases, there are no fees and no interest to pay. You also get to make between one and two months interest on the money.

jimjames

ampersand wrote: »

Buying things on the Never-never was a horror unfolding in the late 50s, early 60s.
I refuse to pay fees.

You do realise that credit cards aren't just for borrowing? If you have no intention of paying interest then just set the balance to be cleared every month, it's very easy to do.
You seem to be putting obstacles in the way of getting the best deals.

ampersand

Thankyou for good input jj, but credit is anathema to me. Yes, I know cc's are not just for borrowing, but I pay as I go, haggle with cash, in Waitrose too:-). Old Fr. maxim [mse loathes acute accents, so trans:] Live hidden, Live happy.

It's the fee-free facility that matters most for France, although I generally sell+buy my sort of old tonk while away anyway, to offset travel. France is old stamping ground+I ship boxes back<NZ.

I'll have another go at Metro next wk.

veryintrigued

Anyone else noticed that the 'close account' functionality on the N&P account has been made very readily a available online?

ampersand

Saw that in Branch, vi, but am leaving mine open until def. choice/replacement imminent.
I'm very sorry for local staff: bolt from the blue, I was told.

In this notspot, I have only twice ever been able to sign in, see a/c online :-)