Top Bank Accounts Discussion Area

Cloudane

Received most of the A&L stuff now including debit card and internet banking PIN. It must cost them a hell of a lot in postage - every single little thing comes in a separate letter!

No internet banking "Customer ID" yet though - thought I'd try a call to customer services to see if they can give it verbally. 14 minutes of listening to the same ~15 second hold music clip repeat itself over and over and I'm starting to see everyone's point...

Edit: 17 minute call, but after some security questions they gave the ID straight away. Not so bad after all really (aside from the long wait!)

The card activation line was much quicker, and the person on the phone very chatty and friendly. Listened to a lot of spiel about insurance etc but she wasn't too "hard sell" and accepted that I'd "decide and call later" without any fuss.

basiaking

NikkyWikky wrote: »

Does any1 know if they have to switch all there direct debits over to FirstDirect in order to get the £100 cashback. Was thinking of leaving my existing current account open and open the First Direct for the cashback, hence dont want to move all my direct debits over.

I don't think you will need to move your direct debits over to them as long as you pay in the £1500 per month they want you to in order to qualify for "free banking." Also they say if you are not happy after 6 months they will give you another £100 and help you move to another bank but what if you have a good service - how do you justify moving away from them? (I am only asking as I'm thinking of doing the same thing!)

NikkyWikky

how do you justify moving away from them? (I am only asking as I'm thinking of doing the same thing!)

You could say that you are quitting your job and going travelling or taking a 6 month break. Therefore you wont have any money coming in and wont be able to maintain the £1500 paying in limit. As a result you will be charged £10 and that is a hard penality when u dont have a regular income.

basiaking

NikkyWikky wrote: »

how do you justify moving away from them? (I am only asking as I'm thinking of doing the same thing!)

You could say that you are quitting your job and going travelling or taking a 6 month break. Therefore you wont have any money coming in and wont be able to maintain the £1500 paying in limit. As a result you will be charged £10 and that is a hard penality when u dont have a regular income.

Thanks good idea. Just to let you know I have now been through the application process and they do ask you whether you want them to take over your direct debits and standing orders; you are able to select 'no.'

NikkyWikky

Thanks for that. Going to open the account online today/tomorrow.

Cloudane

Just to update on A&L (for anyone considering them and curious of the sign up process, who may have been reading my posts)

On Friday the last of the stuff arrived - customer number (which I got over telephone anyway) and a seemingly correct and complete list of Direct Debits and Standing Orders that they'll transfer from HSBC. So far the number of individual letters I've received from them must be about 10-15, they send everything separately.

The transfer list says if there's something you don't want to transfer, tick the yes/no boxes and send the list back in the pre-paid envelope. Otherwise don't bother, and if they don't hear anything after 14 days they'll go ahead with the transfer.

I decided to tick all the boxes and send it back, in the hope that they'll get on with it and not wait 14 days, which seems like forever. (I also said no to a Direct Debit where I know the last payment is going out this month anyway). Time will tell if this speeds up the process or not.

Banking sign in is pretty cool - they don't make you go through the memorable question thing if they already recognise your IP address and browser.

Transferred £100 in from HSBC on Friday and it's appeared today, which is not bad. Still, bring on Faster Payments

Quite happy so far, no complaints other than the long queue times on the telephone and lack of 24hr telephone support (which I enjoyed with HSBC). Long as the job gets done in the end, I'm not too fussed.

ikr2

I'm looking for details of the extra 2% for existing Lloyds Classic Plus customers mentioned in the latest MSE email. Do I just call up Lloyds to get it?

TomJ

ikr2 wrote: »

I'm looking for details of the extra 2% for existing Lloyds Classic Plus customers mentioned in the latest MSE email. Do I just call up Lloyds to get it?

Essentially, yes.
Have a look at this thread to see the reports of MoneySavers who've done just that.

SwitchyChick

cnorm161 wrote: »

I am an Alliance and Leicester customer, and I have to say one of the main problems with this account is that cheques have to be posted and go through Royal Mail

Don't forget you can also deposit cheques at your local Post Office (if you still have one)! Its just about the only reason I go in anymore...

Linguistic_Chimp

I am fed up with having to call 0844/0870 numbers and key in tonnes of security codes and listen to millions of recorded messages before I can actually ever speak to a real person about my bank account. I use Say No To 0870 as much as I can, but lately I just keep going round in circles.

I am with Alliance & Leicester and am seriously considering upping sticks and moving if I can find a bank that actually has GOOD customer service. Ironically for this website, my annoyance at their customer service has meant I've got to the point where I don't even care about any moneysaving aspects of any new bank account.

Please help!

Edit: I read good things about Citibank here. If i just want a regular current account - no fee - is it worth it? I noticed they have a freephone customer service line 24/7 all year round. Any thoughts or advice?