Recommend a decent premier/private bank?

neil9313

rathernot wrote: »

As subject I guess, I'm cheesed off with automation and talking to a computer or a call centre (I appreciate they're all call centres but you know what I mean) and continuously being sold to when calling.

Whilst I'm not loaded I'm always in credit and could afford to keep a decent minimum in a current account if the account itself was free (I appreciate technically you pay by foregoing interest on the minimum balance but it's a psychological thing I guess) and the service was decent.

I don't want to do anything demanding, just the usual internet banking, dd's and a visa debit card, I'm not fussed about "lifestyle" services.

I've had a quick look around at the usual "premier" accounts and I came across Cater Allen who look "interesting", but most references I can find are from people who use them for business banking.

Appreciate any thoughts/comments.

Its First Direct, outstanding Bank :T its part ot HSBC but better rates, you may even get £100 pound for opening Acct! Your salary needs to be £24, 000 for free banking! But you can just move money about! Again outstanding bank!

neil9313

rathernot wrote: »

The thing that put me off about First Direct was that they only seem to offer a Maestro debit card, and as I understand it they're not too widely accepted outside of the UK (I'd sooner not have the hassle of a separate card).

Im with 1st direct, never had a problem with Maestro abroad ever

skyrider007

BenL wrote: »

You do not need a massive amount of money either to join.

Is it similar to HSBC Premier at £50,000 or higher/lower?

rathernot

BenL wrote: »

I used to work for Cater Allen, part of the Abbey/Santander group now.

Thanks BenL some useful feedback there, how long ago was this (roughly) please?

Have to admit I did like the look/sound of them hence mentioning them in my original post, especially the deferred Visa idea and the fact that, as you say, you don't seem to need to have serious money to use them.

Perhaps I also need to look into First Direct, though the Maestro issue does bother me simply because most of the online stores I look at all take Visa/Mastercard but few seem to mention Maestro.

Oh and I don't ever carry a cheque book

neil9313

rathernot wrote: »

Thanks BenL some useful feedback there, how long ago was this (roughly) please?

Have to admit I did like the look/sound of them hence mentioning them in my original post, especially the deferred Visa idea and the fact that, as you say, you don't seem to need to have serious money to use them.

Perhaps I also need to look into First Direct, though the Maestro issue does bother me simply because most of the online stores I look at all take Visa/Mastercard but few seem to mention Maestro.

Oh and I don't ever carry a cheque book

Maestro is switch as well, never had a problem, i think you may have got this confused with something else!

[Deleted User]

I can recommend Lloyds TSB's Premier account.

£25 a month, but it's value for me and my partner - pays for our top-package AA, phone cover for two phones, 24hr home emergency cover (great for when our loo flooded last week at 2am), and travel insurance too.

The guy at the branch knows us by name, and we don't get hassled for those "account reviews"!

They have a geographical number on the card that gets you straight through to someone on the phone with no queueing or "press this/that".

ldavies_3

hsbc premier service is deffo free if you have assets worth 50 k plus or if you have a mortgage of 250 k plus and an income of 70k (i think). you also get free travel insurance and premier discounts for shopping, hols and other such. and pref rates on savings. also a freefone 24 hour uk call centre. hope this helps

BenL

I left them about 2 1/2 years ago i think.

I had a look over the website and the products look the same as then, the admin is still in Bradford as well it appears from the address they use so it will probably be broadly similar in structure i would think.

janetteosborne

Hi

I seem to be banging on about Nationwide but they are good. They will do anything we want them to and you get interest on your current account. We have everything with them. Online banking is good and fast and high interest on their ISAs and bonds. Give it a go.

JOsborne

rathernot

This might be a silly question, but is there any limit on the number of current accounts you can have with assorted institutions (over and above common sense i.e. how many do you need/can you manage)?

I ask as I've always been brought up to have one current account for routine stuff and then move savings about and have multiple accounts etc.