Is Santander reneguing again on 'free business banking forever'?

schumannplayer

A previous thread on this subject was closed about 10 years ago after Santander announced a U-turn in response to the outcry caused by their proposed charges for business bank accounts inherited from Abbey, who had promised free business banking forever.   I have had a letter suggesting they are trying again, this time by changing my account type, from Business Everyday Current Account to Business Current Account - classic.  Under 'what's changing' in the enclosed paperwork they list the following:
- Monthly account fee
- Cash deposit charges
- Cash withdrawal limits and fees 
- Cheque deposit charges
- Arranged overdraft interest rate
- Arranged overdraft annual fee
- Unarranged overdraft interest rate
I'm not too concerned about the last ones, but a monthly account fee is very clearly in contravention of the 'free business banking forever' pledge.   Is there a campaign to stop this?  It would be very helpful if MSE could publicise and comment on what is happening here.

subjecttocontract

It might be useful for you to read through the other thread on this subject where it's been discussed in detail.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617469/santander-free-forever-bank-account-changes

MyRealNameToo

schumannplayer said:

A previous thread on this subject was closed about 10 years ago after Santander announced a U-turn in response to the outcry caused by their proposed charges for business bank accounts inherited from Abbey, who had promised free business banking forever.   I have had a letter suggesting they are trying again, this time by changing my account type, from Business Everyday Current Account to Business Current Account - classic.  Under 'what's changing' in the enclosed paperwork they list the following:
- Monthly account fee
- Cash deposit charges
- Cash withdrawal limits and fees 
- Cheque deposit charges
- Arranged overdraft interest rate
- Arranged overdraft annual fee
- Unarranged overdraft interest rate
I'm not too concerned about the last ones, but a monthly account fee is very clearly in contravention of the 'free business banking forever' pledge.   Is there a campaign to stop this?  It would be very helpful if MSE could publicise and comment on what is happening here.

There was a thread a recently about it too... https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617469/santander-free-forever-bank-account-changes

The did get involved 10 years ago but back then there were still 230,000 customers. Suspect that number is much smaller now and ultimately there will come a point when too few are impacted to get the attention of media. 

sausage_time

Closing - please use the other thread linked to above.