Bank account that isn't crap?

Smirch_This

I've got a Natwest account and an HSBC account. My natwest account has been historically rubbish and HSBC have screwed me a couple of times in the past badly. My credit rating is "rubbish" (as in sitting in a landfill with seagulls crapping on it "rubbish"). Are there any respectable banks out there? I only need BACS, Solo, Cash withdrawal and cheque paying in facilities.

Rafter

Why not go to a bank where they put your interests first instead of shareholders. IE a bank that is owned by its own customers.

I'd suggest the Co-operative as having a good basic account although not many branches.

Nationwide have larger branch coverage but have got more fussy about who they give their basic account to.

R.

gt94sss2

Smirch_This wrote: »

Are there any respectable banks out there? I only need BACS, Solo, Cash withdrawal and cheque paying in facilities.

If your credit rating is poor, you may need to open a basic bank account - the leaflet includes a list of providers.

Regards
Sunil

bengal-stripe

Smirch_This wrote: »

HSBC have screwed me a couple of times in the past badly.

Do you mean they have charged you for being overdrawn, bounced DD etc.? Sorry, (at present) there is not a bank in the land, that does not charge.

Smirch_This wrote: »

My credit rating is "rubbish".......Are there any respectable banks out there?

You can always try Coutts. - Very respectable.

http://www.coutts.com/

spinningsheep

Smirch_This wrote: »

I've got a Natwest account and an HSBC account. My natwest account has been historically rubbish and HSBC have screwed me a couple of times in the past badly. My credit rating is "rubbish" (as in sitting in a landfill with seagulls crapping on it "rubbish"). Are there any respectable banks out there? I only need BACS, Solo, Cash withdrawal and cheque paying in facilities.

Smirch, id recommend you try Yorkshire Bank or Clydsdale if you are able to get to one of their branches. Mine is over 30 miles away,but I made a special trip. I explained about my poor history and they did a credit search as they have to, but just to check if I was BR etc, and they said the low score was no issue. I have their "readycash" account, no OD, BACS and DD,Maestro card. Perfect. I dont use the account regularly but its nice to know I have it as a spare.

Otherwise, try A&L for their standard current account, they only issue Visa debit now (the one with no cheque guarantee facility is the more likely card you would get).

Lastly, you could try Barclays, but I hear they are picky as to who they issue the new 2 in 1 Visa Connect to if you have a low score.

saubryn

I have a terrible credit rating but I managed to get a Citibank account - they're OK - I have a visa debit card, and the account supports bacs / DD, etc. The only problem with them is there are no branches in my area, but you can pay in cheques at branches of Lloyds, or by the post. Takes a while to clear, but I only need to pay in that way once every couple of months so it isn't an issue for me.

MarkyMarkD

Rafter wrote: »

Why not go to a bank where they put your interests first instead of shareholders. IE a bank that is owned by its own customers.

I'd suggest the Co-operative as having a good basic account although not many branches.

Nationwide have larger branch coverage but have got more fussy about who they give their basic account to.

R.

The Co-operative Bank is a bank, not a mutual. It's own by the Co-operative Group which is owned by Co-operative Group members, who are a distinct set of people most of whom are not Co-op Bank customers. Being a Co-op Bank customer does not entitle you to Co-operative Group membership.

Please don't repeat the myth that Co-op Bank is in any means a mutual.

Milarky

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

The Co-operative Bank is a bank, not a mutual. It's own by the Co-operative Group which is owned by Co-operative Group members, who are a distinct set of people most of whom are not Co-op Bank customers. Being a Co-op Bank customer does not entitle you to Co-operative Group membership.

Please don't repeat the myth that Co-op Bank is in any means a mutual.

However, can't you join the co-op through payment of a small fee and - if a coop bank/smile customer - then qualify for (fairly small) 'loyalty' payments - akin to the 'dividend'?

Details here

Rafter

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

The Co-operative Bank is a bank, not a mutual. It's own by the Co-operative Group which is owned by Co-operative Group members, who are a distinct set of people most of whom are not Co-op Bank customers. Being a Co-op Bank customer does not entitle you to Co-operative Group membership.

Please don't repeat the myth that Co-op Bank is in any means a mutual.

Blimey - who got out of bed the wrong side this afternoon?

MarkyMark. The co-op is a mutual organisation in that exists for the benefits of its members and distributes a modest share of profits to them if they choose to join as Milarkey has suggested.

Building societies are mutual but, with the exception of Brittania, don't make annual distributions to their members but re-invest their profits into better rates in the future.

What is different from plc banks is that there are not a bunch of executives with share options and a group of shareholders looking to get the highest possible profits and dividends which leads to behaviours that the original poster has been suffering from: high charges and the bare minimum of customer service.

'The Co-operative Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of a mutual organisation whose customers can chose to participate in a points based profits distribution if they so wish. It is ethical in its operations and exists for the benefit of any card carrying members any of the co-operative group.'

I hope that is a definition of mutuality that dispells the myth I was supposedly espousing.

R.

PS - I don't work for them!

macaroni

Smirch_This wrote: »

I've got a Natwest account and an HSBC account. My natwest account has been historically rubbish and HSBC have screwed me a couple of times in the past badly. My credit rating is "rubbish" (as in sitting in a landfill with seagulls crapping on it "rubbish"). Are there any respectable banks out there? I only need BACS, Solo, Cash withdrawal and cheque paying in facilities.

Whats wrong with your Natwest account? I have a Step account which does what youre looking for and is totally fine !

Teterow

Hi, I only have very very good experiences with First Direct.
You ALWAYS get to speak to someone competent on the other end of the line.

:beer: