Switching from N&P

chd1980

I currently have a joint current account with Norwich & Peterborough which my income is paid into and all household bills are paid out off. With the closure of the N&P current accounts I'm looking for some advice as to which current accounts are the best available.

With N&P not being part of CASS I've noticed that most joining incentives are not available which limits some of the options.

The two accounts that I am considering are:-
1) Nationwide flex plus as the £10 per month charge would be absorbed by the travel and phone insurance offered as well as the breakdown recovery. The 3% interest on balances up to £2500 also appears good. However I'm not able to take advantage of the introduce a friend offer of £100 each which is rather annoying

2) Nat West rewards silver account - similar to the Natiowide account but without the breakdown cover but offers 3% rewards on household bills rather than the interest .

Also has anyone had any success in any compensation from N&P as the communication and support to its customers has been very poor and with them not being part of CASS a straight forward switch service is rather more time consuming,

Any thoughts or comments on the above or alternative accounts would be gratefully received.

xylophone

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2017/01/norwich--peterborough-current-accounts-to-be-closed-as-banking-brand-is-scrapped---what-happens-next

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2017/02/banks-will-offer-switching-bonuses-to-norwich-peterborough-customers-facing-account-closures

jamie_02

Some banks (maybe HSBC, others on here would be able to clarify) have said they will switch accounts from N&P so maybe switch out then switch to Nationwide for the referral fee?

EDIT: as per the links above they are HSBC and M&S.

YorkshireBoy

chd1980 wrote: »

However I'm not able to take advantage of the introduce a friend offer of £100 each which is rather annoying

You are, but you haven't realised how yet.

There's plenty of time to open another account with a CASS member, put 2 DDs on it (that are currently on N&P maybe), and switch that one into Nationwide. Then either do a partial switch into Nationwide from N&P (not recommended as no 'protection'), or simply contact your DD originators yourself (advisable).

EarthBoy

There's more information on N&P's website here, -click on the "switching your account" tab:

http://www.nandp.co.uk/existing-customers/current-account/

They're unlikely to pay you any compensation for inconvenience as they want you gone, the sooner the better, and by 31 August at the latest.

veryintrigued

I'll not be doing any switching yet.

I want to make as much use of the free Foreign ATM withdrawals and plus like many others we have a N&P eFamily Regular saver coming from this account.

patientperson

veryintrigued wrote: »

I'll not be doing any switching yet.

I want to make as much use of the free Foreign ATM withdrawals and plus like many others we have a N&P eFamily Regular saver coming from this account.

Similar position for me too.

The free Sentinel Gold option linked to N&P current accounts will probably also come to an end.

I am fortunate that I also have a Cumberland BS Plus current account which gives the same type of free foreign ATM withdrawals. Membership of Cumberland BS is very restricted.

dggar

patientperson wrote: »

Similar position for me too.

The free Sentinel Gold option linked to N&P current accounts will probably also come to an end.

I am fortunate that I also have a Cumberland BS Plus current account which gives the same type of free foreign ATM withdrawals. Membership of Cumberland BS is very restricted.

Is there a way of getting a Cumberland BS account if you live outside the defined postcodes?

patientperson

dggar wrote: »

Is there a way of getting a Cumberland BS account if you live outside the defined postcodes?

Given that lots of N&P current account holders would like your question answered I reckon that if you do not live in their operating area then the answer will be NO.

We welcome new applications from new and existing customers who live within our branch operating area

We do not accept new accounts from new customers who live outside our branch operating area. Some restrictions may also apply to new accounts available to existing customers who live outside our branch operating area

Our operating area is:

Cumbria (all CA and LA postcodes)
South-West Scotland (all DG postcodes and TD9)
West Northumberland (NE46-49)
North Lancashire (all PR, FY, LA AND BB1-2 and BB5-7)


https://www.cumberland.co.uk/about/branch-finder

I have seen that there is an online application form .. how far you get before the computer says NO?.

EarthBoy

dggar wrote: »

Is there a way of getting a Cumberland BS account if you live outside the defined postcodes?

Not without moving house. There'd be no point in restricting accounts to certain postcode areas if there was a way round it.

WillPS

What happens if you move away?