Current Account Discussion Board

System

I want to swap my joint current account from bank of scotland to anyone nice! We've been with bank of scotland for years, and they seem to be constantly mean to us, making mistakes which they barely apologise for (like losing the 30K cheque we paid off our mortgage with), and charging us a fortune when we make mistakes (like going £10 past our o/d limit). Now that they've removed their £25 'safety-net' for going past o/d limit (which they only introduced recently), we've had enough.

As a mum of 3 young kids, losing brain cells with the birth of each one, I really want an account with someone who's a wee bit tolerant of me forgetting to transfer money til after 6pm. I always write down all our transactions, nag my husband constantly about giving switch receipts to me immediately, make him write cheques for any significant amount, have a seperate current account specifically for d/ds so I can cope with all the transactions and use phone banking so often I know the automated menus by heart. There must be a bank out there who understands real life & doesn't charge ridiculous amounts for wee mistakes.

Any advice much appreciated!

CMcM_2

I am currently having a nightmare with Barclays Bank - after having been with them for over 16 years I am now totally fed up with their polices, attitude and not being able to talk to anyone in a branch. I have 4 accounts with them - 2 current in sole name (1 which they have just set up wrongly (their error) which I now can't change until I have put some money in it).

1 joint account which I am trying to have my name removed from (and have followed their procedure of sending in a letter in joint signatures asking for my name to be removed - their response is that they have written to my ex asking is he still wants the same level of overdraft (the account is in credit currently) - if they don't hear from in 28 days they won't remove mey name!!!)

1 Savings account.

I am totally fed up with their errors (losing cheques and miss keying cash as a debit rather than a credit), setting up incorrect accounts that you can't change. Can anyone suggest a good bank/accounts to transfer to? Also one that organises all the transfers of Direct Debits etc for you?

Help ???

johnllew

Smile - excellent bank. A Which? Best Buy and it has their highest customer satisfaction score.

ED

How much does it cost a building society to pay their bank to CHAPS transfer £'s for a customer?

I know most building soc's + banks charge the customer £20 or more for CHAPS. But how much of that is profit?

Really need to know, a.s.a.p., because Britannia BS have messed up BACS transfers instructed to several other b-societies, a month ago, so they have volunteered to transmit via CHAPS without charging me a fee. But I wouldn't want Society funds to be wasted, if sizeable...

gallygirl

I am currently having a nightmare with Barclays Bank - after having been with them for over 16 years I am now totally fed up with their polices, attitude and not being able to talk to anyone in a branch.  

I am totally fed up with their errors (losing cheques and miss keying cash as a debit rather than a credit), setting up incorrect accounts that you can't change.  Can anyone suggest a good bank/accounts to transfer to?  Also one that organises all the transfers of Direct Debits etc for you?

Help ???

Like other's have suggested - Smile. Decent interest rate, will transfer DD's. Available 24 hours a day by phone & give excellent service - I phoned 2 days ago to ask for temp extension of overdraft while cheque cleared - was done while I was on the phone. And you can pay in or cash cheques at post Offices - save you a trip into town.

Can't rate them highly enough.

Good luck!

HC_2

Regarding Smile, I have been thinking of changing to them from NatWest.

Do they have a good internet site? NatWest may pay a pathetic interest rate on current account balances, but their site is fantastic. I check my balances, do all my transfers, bill payments, absolutely everything on there. Their phone customer service is also superb.

Just not sure whether to switch. Any comment would be appreciated.

pennymakespounds

nothing but praise for smile.
website quick, easy and straightforwrd.
great for transferring money to and from other accounts.
do all direct debits and paying bills.

never a problem
and pay 3% interest !!

pingu

hi
just opened A&L premier current account online and have received the forms to sign

do i need to send any identification with the form" A"?

and when do you usually get £25?

thanks

theloft

I have a current account with Natwest and usually keep it in credit. Last month due to exceptional circumsatnces I had over 5K in the account for 5 weeks! while I was deciding about another car. Due to a slight miscalculation I then went overdrawn for 8 days!
The have now sent me a statement stating I owe them £5.72 for interest on the overdraft ! I have told them that if they make me pay then I am moving my account (after 30 years). I was thinking of moving anyway, but with an internet account, isn't there even more of a delay in paying in cheques to your account ? I have read all these posts, but am still undecided so can you tell me WHICH IS THE BEST AND EASIEST TO OPERATE CURRENT ACCOUNT ???


??? ??? ???

johnllew

WHICH IS THE BEST AND EASIEST TO OPERATE CURRENT ACCOUNT ???

IMO, Smile.