Top Bank Accounts Discussion Area

kilapot

If I have previously held an account with them, over 5 yrs ago at a different address will I be eligible for the opening account bonus? I would get her indoors to do it but she is very reluctant to change her bank account that she has held for over 20yrs.....

Archi_Bald

kilapot wrote: »

If I have previously held an account with them, over 5 yrs ago at a different address will I be eligible for the opening account bonus? I would get her indoors to do it but she is very reluctant to change her bank account that she has held for over 20yrs.....

In a word - no.

FD have VERY long memories - 10 years plus have been reported.

Have you and your other half looked at Halifax Reward accounts? Even ignoring switching, and related bonuses (£100 pp), you could make £180 a year from their Reward accounts between the two of you play your cards right. You wouldn't have to give up your existing current account for this, but would need to hoop through a few hoops. Nothing too onerous - look for other threads on this if interested.

slaterio

Hi

My daughter is planning to spend the summer working in Spain and will be paid in Euro's. She currently has a 16-18 debit card account with Santander ( she is currently 17) and is planning to go to University in 2014. Does anyone know what the best option would be to allow transactions between UK and Spain?

Paul_B.

slaterio wrote: »

Hi

My daughter is planning to spend the summer working in Spain and will be paid in Euro's. She currently has a 16-18 debit card account with Santander ( she is currently 17) and is planning to go to University in 2014. Does anyone know what the best option would be to allow transactions between UK and Spain?

For cash withdrawals from her UK account she might already be in the best place. Santander allow free cash machine withdrawals at their ATMs in Spain. Not sure if you get other benefits, might want to give the a call and find out.

I don't know enough about the Spanish banking system to know about accounts there but if it's just for a couple of months to get money back if she has any left you could look at the likes of western union and seeing how their fees are.

gawa75

I joined First Direct a year ago and when you rang their number, you got through to an advisor in about 10 seconds. Today I rang them for the first time in about 6 months and was on hold for a good few minutes.

Is the number of folk joining FD making for longer phone queues? Has anyone else noticed this?

(Ps, don't get me wrong , I wouldn't change it for the world - you get through to a British person and generally they're helpful, pleasant and legible!)
:money:

teeb

gawa75 wrote: »

I joined First Direct a year ago and when you rang their number, you got through to an advisor in about 10 seconds. Today I rang them for the first time in about 6 months and was on hold for a good few minutes.

Is the number of folk joining FD making for longer phone queues? Has anyone else noticed this?

(Ps, don't get me wrong , I wouldn't change it for the world - you get through to a British person and generally they're helpful, pleasant and legible!)
:money:

I had to wait a minute or two last weekend when I phoned but I put it down to the season (it was the Christmas holidays, after all).

That's the only time I've ever had to wait on hold for someone with First Direct.

Vicki5678

Speak to TorFx or Currencies Direct contactable through comparecurrency com these guys deal with this kind of issue day in, day out. As well as getting your transaction fees reduced they should get you a better exchange rate.

Athletic_fan

Hi All,

I want to open a new current account that I can have a debit card for but do not want to use it as my 'main' bank account. It won't have a specified amount going through it each month, I don't want to pay a monthly fee and it doesn't need an overdraft. I am opening it up so that I can keep my online transactions separate from my main bank account. Anyone got any suggestions where to go ? as it doesn't fit nicely into any of The main article's categories. Rather it wasn't Barclays.

In true MSE fashion it'd be nice if TCB or Quidco paid me something for opening it up !!!

Athletic_fan

GingerFurball_2

my_definition wrote: »

I was just about to apply for this account but as we live in scotland looks like thats not happening now

I have a first direct account and while im not a huge fan of the online banking format I was thinking of moving our joint account to them to get the £100 but does anyone know if we would qualify for the £100 as hes a new customer but im not?

Halifax have a branch in Aberdeen and are opening a branch on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow soon. IIRC they're planning on opening at least 5 branches in Scotland. So although they don't have much of a presence up here, that will change as LBG splits the Halifax and Bank of Scotland brands.

oligopoly

Hi, to save me a phone call at lunch is anyone able to answerthe following:

1. Can I open a joint current account on this package with my wife?

2. We plan to move my salary and all DDs to this new accountbut I would like to keep my existing HSBC account open because it's linked tomy pension and because I would like to DD some pocket money back to it eachmonth. Is Halifax that strict that they demand I close my existing account orwill shifting the DDs suffice?

3. Is Halifax’s online banking/iPhone app ok?

Thanks in advance! :T