Current Account Discussion Board

johnllew

I hate the layout of the Smile website and its online statements.  Many thanks

That's strange - Smile has the highest rate of customer satisfaction of all banks according to Which? and is rated a Best Buy. I have quite a few online current accounts and believe that Smile is by far the best, not only for its website which is very user-friendly but also for its customer service.

You must be very hard to please.

guiriman

Is anybody using these 0% overdrafts to duplicate 'credit card revenge', a £2000 0% overdraft 'til December sounds better than 5 months 0% on Egg. If you stick it in Ing for 8 months that works out at £48 interest after tax ;D ;D

System

I have had an Abbey current account for the last 15 years but moved to Ireland about 4 years ago. I kept the account open as I have life insurance policies and some direct debits going out of it. I have finally decided to change bank's as they are hopeless (constantly bouncing debits and over charging me even though every few months I transfer several thousand pounds). I don't know whether I can open another account with a different bank as I am not resident in the UK any more. Has anybody any advice?

pgibbs

I have just applied on line for a Lloyds Classic Plus and then a Cahoot Account but have been turned down for both because of my poor credit history. Why should this affect an application for a current account? It's not as though I'm applying for credit.

busted_2

OK Martin,

Here's a challege to you.

Find me a bank that gives an overdraft and account to a person with a bad credit rating.

Sort this one out and even I'll start singing your praises.

M_Thomson

I have just applied on line for a Lloyds Classic Plus and then a Cahoot Account but have been turned down for both because of my poor credit history. Why should this affect an application for a current account? It's not as though I'm applying for credit.

Yes you are. When you get a cheque guarantee card you usally get a £100 cheque guarantee limit. You get around 30 cheques so you could go and spend £3000 straight away and the Bank is obligated to pay the establishments where you use your cheque guarantee card! Even if you don't have enough money in your account!

busted_2

so you could go and spend £3000 straight away

Yes, but you equally could act responsibly and not spend it. ::)

Banks have got to look at the customers individual circumstances and not just assume the worst of every person who has a poor credit rating. Debt will effect most people at some stage in their lives.

Treating each customer as an individual instead of a statistic is what banks need to change in order to improve.

Shawz

Hi,

I am trying to find a current account that gives

Card Protection
Mobile Phone Insurance
AA/RAC Cover

with the account but at a low monthly charge. The only one I have found so far is with Lloyds TSB and its a Select Current Account but it costs £5 per month.
Does anyone know of any others?????

busted_2

OK, here's a tip for people who, like me, can't get an overdraft.

We all find an overdraft useful for saving us from bank charges when we have (for example) a direct debit come out early that makes us overdrawn, and if we don't have that cushion we can end up paying a lot of bank charges.
So, instead of using your overdraft as a cushion, create an internet only account, and keep £100.00 or £200.00 in that account, and when you go overdrawn you can instantly take money from the internet account and transfer it into your current account.

This is what I intend to do with Barclays, but I think this can be done with other banks.
It does mean you checking your account everyday but with internet banking that is quite easy to do.

MajorCharlesIngram

OK Martin,

Here's a challege to you.

Find me a bank that gives an overdraft and account to a person with a bad credit rating.

Sort this one out and even I'll start singing your praises.

Woolwich