Top Bank Accounts Discussion Area

TokyoRed

I am moving back to the UK and want to open an account before switching to the Halifax Ultimate Rewards account to get the 100 switch bonus (and the insurance benefits). Are there any catches about the length of time you have to have held the old account? I don't see any in the T&C from Halifax.

Will also open Santander for the cashback and interest but I don't see any switching bonus so will probably just open that one directly.

Thanks!

grumbler

TokyoRed wrote: »

I am moving back to the UK and want to open an account before switching to the Halifax Ultimate Rewards account to get the 100 switch bonus (and the insurance benefits). Are there any catches about the length of time you have to have held the old account? I don't see any in the T&C from Halifax.

If you don't see then there is no any.

Will also open Santander for the cashback and interest but I don't see any switching bonus so will probably just open that one directly.

http://www.topcashback.co.uk/santander/ . Every little helps.

TokyoRed

Thanks grumbler. So now I need two "dummy" accounts when I arrive to switch to the ones I want...

londonlydia

Hi,

I opened a First Direct current account last October, and I fully switched around 6 weeks ago (I was with HSBC before). This was based on the good recommendation on here about their customer services.

However, after a bit of hassle during the switch, and because I dont like their internet banking interface and lack of Windows smartphone app, I want to switch away. As it's within the year, I believe I could apply for £100? Has anyone done this?

Also, does anyone know which banks have apps for Windows phones but still have decent current accounts?

grumbler

londonlydia wrote: »

However, after a bit of hassle during the switch, and because I dont like their internet banking interface and lack of Windows smartphone app, I want to switch away. As it's within the year, I believe I could apply for £100?

You can, but there are some conditions: http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/banking/current-account?WT.ac=FSDT_LHM_BA_BA1330

Has anyone done this?

>>first direct leaving bonus

Also, does anyone know which banks have apps for Windows phones but still have decent current accounts?

Define 'decent'.
That said, if Widows app is your priority, AFAIK you won't have much of choice.
Barclays have it.

londonlydia

grumbler wrote: »

You can, but there are some conditions: http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/banking/current-account?WT.ac=FSDT_LHM_BA_BA1330

>>first direct leaving bonus

Define 'decent'.
That said, if Widows app is your priority, AFAIK you won't have much of choice.

Thanks for the links, I should satisfy those so that's good.

In terms of decent for me, I dont have an overdraft so I would prefer an account that has some form of reward system. I would like a switching bonus but its not essential. Big thing for me is definitely having the banking app though, as I miss having that since switching to FD. Interest on credit is appealing too but non-essential as I scoop most of my savings elsewhere.

innovate

londonlydia wrote: »

. Interest on credit is appealing too but non-essential as I scoop most of my savings elsewhere.

You realise that there is a bunch of current accounts that pay a lot more interest than savings accounts, incl cash ISAs?

As to mobile banking for Windows - literally all UK banks have a Windows version for their mobile app.

grumbler

Barclays is the only bank I know that have an app for Windows.
For switching bonuses search the board for Coop/Smile, Halifax and M&S. Halifax offer £5 p.m. as well.

Re the in credit interest, current accounts are currently the best for limited amounts: Top Savings Accounts. Unless you have tens of thousands saved, 'scooping elsewhere' is probably not the best idea.

BTW, by leaving FD you lose access to their Regular Saving account that is currently the best for saving £300 p.m.

MSE articles:

• Best Bank Accounts
• Best Premier Current Accounts

innovate wrote: »

As to mobile banking for Windows - literally all UK banks have a Windows version for their mobile app.

I randomly checked Barclays, Nationwide, Halifax, HSBC, then got bored. Barclays was the only one. Santander have 'mobile friendly site'.

innovate

grumbler wrote: »

Barclays is the only bank I know that have an app for Windows

Halifax (and therefore Lloyds and TSB) have a Windows app. So do Natwest (and therefore RBS). Others have Windows phone friendly mobile sites.

Though I must admit, selecting a current account based on a phone OS seems a bit like the tail wagging the dog. May be I am just getting old now.

grumbler

Yes, I was wrong about Halifax