Sorting out our finances A&L account.

wattosavelots

Hi there,

I'm in the process of sorting out our finances and one thing I'm looking at is the possibility of changing current accounts. We are currently with HSBC our account is in credit and we have a personal loan with them, also a business account. I have an ISA at the Principality building society, which is earning really rubbish interest so would like to transfer that also. I have no real bug bear with HSBC just looking if there are better offers out there for personal current accounts.

I've been looking at A&L which seems very attractive and also has the ISA linked to it's premier account, trouble is, the nearest branch is 25 miles away, but think I've read somewhere that I can deposit and withdraw through the post office? We would need a cheque book, debit card and paying in book. The only cheque to be paid in is my hubands salary, but that could probably be set up from HSBC business account and go by DD.

Our other High Street Options are LLoyds, Barclays, Natwest, and Halifax, as they are the ones we actually have physically in the high street. Anyone have any experiences or negatives to share? Any help greatfully received. Getting very addicted to this money saving stuff

PROLIANT

A&L are good, VISA Debit card, Cheque book, Pay in Book, Overdraft etc etc, i am a customer and no complaints so far

neilp

I moved to A&L about three months ago and am a very satisfied customer up to now. The Premier Direct Current Account is operated by phone and internet with no paper statements. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at Post Offices, and the account comes with a Visa debit card and cheque book. I haven't needed to go into a branch so far and don't think that not living close to one represents a problem.

groovychick69

neilp wrote: »

I moved to A&L about three months ago and am a very satisfied customer up to now. The Premier Direct Current Account is operated by phone and internet with no paper statements. Deposits and withdrawals can be made at Post Offices, and the account comes with a Visa debit card and cheque book. I haven't needed to go into a branch so far and don't think that not living close to one represents a problem.

Hope you dont need to visit a branch becuase you can't. The staff in our have much joy saying " premier account" online only ya ya ya. Have had nothing but trouble with them, have 3 accounts in total and cant be doing with the stress anymore. Online banking is not in real time and only updates over night. I have also banked with HSbc and had no complaints. Only wish i'd stayed.

timnicebutdim_2

Ditto the above, the online banking not being in real time is my biggest grievance, and the balance seems to suddenly change just like that! Also they'll automatically send you a credit card with your new account which i think is naughty. Other than that it's o.k., cheques can be paid in at a PO with a deposit book, the credit interest is good, the free overdraft is good for the first year. Before you set it up do the refer a friend thingy and you'll get £50.

I still haven't cancelled my HSBC current account though and am reluctant, i don't know why. Probably wouldn't have joined A&L if it wasn't for the fact it was a condition of the mortgage to have one of their accounts.

neilp

A& L haven't sent me a credit card - I agree that issuing a card (ie giving out credit) without this having been applied for is unacceptable. There was a box to tick during the current account application process that would automatically apply for a credit card - I didn't tick it! Don't they send a contract that has to be signed before a credit card is issued? I've had quite a few credit cards over the years, and have never been issued one without first signing a contract. I had assumed this was a compulsory part of the application process - am I wrong?

timnicebutdim_2

I thought they send out contracts too....think it must have been a one off then in my case as we were applying for a mortgage at the same time as opening a current account but the adviser never mentioned anything about a credit card. Then again she was trying the (really) hard sell on life insurance, and home insurance too so it doesn't surprise me!

tanith

Have been with A & L for over 20 yrs and I think they are excellent... I always do everything online except paying in cheques and those go in an envelope they supply and get sent off , I can honestly say I have not needed to visit a branch in all that time... its all been done by post , phone, or online... now always online... I know people complain about the website not updating quick enough but it doesn't really bother me as I always keep track of whats due in or out of my account .
I'd definately go for it...

PROLIANT

tanith wrote: »

Have been with A & L for over 20 yrs and I think they are excellent... I always do everything online except paying in cheques and those go in an envelope they supply and get sent off , I can honestly say I have not needed to visit a branch in all that time... its all been done by post , phone, or online... now always online... I know people complain about the website not updating quick enough but it doesn't really bother me as I always keep track of whats due in or out of my account .
I'd definately go for it...

Ditto, you saved me the effort typing.