Recommend a decent premier/private bank?

Kavanne

rathernot wrote: »

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.

No limit as such but it looks a bit suspicious if you have a LOT! (from a fraud/money laundering point of view)

Night-owl_6

You may like to try a Barclays current account or A&L current direct account!

HC_2

I used to have one of NatWest's premier accounts, but downgraded to the completely ordinary current account, to save money. I've been with them for 20 years.

I've never had the slightest problem with them. Superb online banking, excellent and highly efficient telephone customer service (using a geographical number from www.saynoto0870.com) and I have a named 'Relationship Manager' at NatWest Private Banking if I want to discuss anything (not that I ever do). Not sure if everyone gets this last service but, as I say, I have a bog-standard current account.

I'm never hassled, never pressed to take out any additional services even when paying cheques into my local branch. So, for me, I can't see any advantage in going to one of the private banks or registering for a premier-type account.

Night-owl_6

Dont touch Natwest, they are the worst bank going.
they dont nknow the meaning of customer relations!!!

HC_2

Night-owl wrote: »

Dont touch Natwest, they are the worst bank going.
they dont nknow the meaning of customer relations!!!

Well, I guess you've had a bad experience. As I mentioned, I've been with them for 20 years. I'm not recommending them, simply saying that I've had not the slightest problem in all that time, been treated with respect and courtesy through good times and less good times.

rathernot

Kavanne wrote: »

No limit as such but it looks a bit suspicious if you have a LOT! (from a fraud/money laundering point of view)

No that's fair enough, I guess what I meant was is it normal to have a couple and leave them both running vs. transfer and when you're happy close the original - sounds like it is normal anyway.

HC_2

rathernot wrote: »

No that's fair enough, I guess what I meant was is it normal to have a couple and leave them both running vs. transfer and when you're happy close the original - sounds like it is normal anyway.

I have two current accounts. One for home, one for business (I'm freelance), with different banks. Not the slightest problem.

Night-owl_6

HC wrote: »

Well, I guess you've had a bad experience. As I mentioned, I've been with them for 20 years. I'm not recommending them, simply saying that I've had not the slightest problem in all that time, been treated with respect and courtesy through good times and less good times.

No disrespect HC however I have found them to be the worst bank ever!!!!
I opened a current account with them around 8 months ago, I posted this story on here before but I just let you know quickly incase you never saw my posting:

I opened the account, never was sent any card, letter, anything, kept going into the branch, they reordered the card and after doing that 5 times gave up, cant close the account due to not knowing the details, says on my Experian report I have a current account that is active with them, has been opened for 8 months, still no letter from Natwest, nothing, they say they have no ideal why I am not receiving anything/nothing they can do - they are in my view the worst bank.
They can search for the account by name/address and I can show ID, But no, cant close it without my card(which I have never received) or my account number and sort code.
I asked them will they close it after its not used in a certain amount of time, there reply was they will send a letter after 3 years of inactive account operation to me, to sign and return if I want the account CLOSED but I wont get it and there banks staff are always poor spoken, no manners!!!

rathernot

Yeah thanks, I feel a bit dumb for asking now, but tbh I'm not with Lloyds for any reason at all other than that years back when I went to Uni they offered the most stuff for free.

Next question. Does staying with your bank for a long time boost or have any impact on your credit rating?

For example I know I'm very clean/creditworthy etc. and I'm not sure in this day and age if having been with Bank X for Y years actually counts for anything unless you're asking Bank X for a loan or something where they have their own internal records?

If it does that's an argument for keeping the existing account open, should I open one elsewhere.

HC_2

Night-owl wrote: »

No disrespect HC however I have found them to be the worst bank ever!!!!
I opened a current account with them around 8 months ago, I posted this story on here before but I just let you know quickly incase you never saw my posting:

I opened the account, never was sent any card, letter, anything, kept going into the branch, they reordered the card and after doing that 5 times gave up, cant close the account due to not knowing the details, says on my Experian report I have a current account that is active with them, has been opened for 8 months, still no letter from Natwest, nothing, they say they have no ideal why I am not receiving anything/nothing they can do - they are in my view the worst bank.
They can search for the account by name/address and I can show ID, But no, cant close it without my card(which I have never received) or my account number and sort code.
I asked them will they close it after its not used in a certain amount of time, there reply was they will send a letter after 3 years of inactive account operation to me, to sign and return if I want the account CLOSED but I wont get it and there banks staff are always poor spoken, no manners!!!

I believe I might have seen the thread, now you remind me. I recall the bit about them ordering the card 5 times.

What a frustrating situation. I can understand that you wouldn't touch them with a barge pole from now on.

Impossible for someone who's looking for a bank to know whether to go with them - two such conflicting experiences. Same with so many organisations, I suppose.

Who did you go with in the end?