I need a new bank

grumpyoldgit_2

Hi
Try Alliance and Leicester online - they are paying a joining bonus - high interest on current account and linked savings account - plus huge overdraft free.

So far (4 months) they have done all I have asked of them and seem to be on the ball. I am a rate tart and have 3 other accounts going with Halifax, Co-Op and First Direct - at moment A&L is best by far for both returns and service - their website is not quite as easy to move around as say the Co-Op but its pretty good and it may just be my lack of familairity that is the problem.

If you do decide to go with A&L there is a way of increasing the bonus paid if you link your application to an existing customer - don't forget who told you about it!!

GoG

grumpyoldgit_2

Nick_C wrote:

I've always been happy with the customer service I get from First Direct, and I think you'll find that's the general opinion of their customers....

SORRY but not me - they cut me off from my account for refusing to go through telephone security procedures when I only wanted to know in advacnce what they woulkd charge me for processing a foreign money transfer!! I have had an account with them since they started - just use it now for tax to keep it live.

Their website is not bad when you get through the front end crap they load it with these days.

In my view FD are far too anal in their security (both a good and bad thing - for me BAD) and they are infuriatingly keen on sending unsolicited mailshots at every and any opportunity.

There are better!!

GoG

JoseChungsDoomsday

Ive heard that about FD as well... wasnt going to go with them as they're part of HSBC and they are shipping all the call centre jobs abroad (one of the reasons i have a halifax account is because they have a call centre here in belfast, even tho it is awful!)

A&L look good, if i do apply dont worry ill pm you!

daveboy

For the record the interest free overdraft with Cahoot will be going down from £250 to £100.

Makes me happy I opted for Nationwide instead as I'm going abroad soon.

cadboll

I have banked with the Nationwide for a number of years and have always found them to be very helpful etc. Recently switched my current account to A&L due to higher rates. So far so good - no complaints to date. So recommendation would be to go for the Premier Plus Account as you get 5.00% Gross/AER on first £2,500 - ideal for putting your salary into etc. Of course there is the added incentive of a £50 bonus just for joining - see their 'Recommend a Friend' section on their website.

I've considered using Cahoot as their savings account is 4.85% Gross/AER but since their interest is paid monthly I think I'll give it a miss.

So to sum up happy to recommend Nationwide or A&L.

JoseChungsDoomsday

many thanks guys, i think i'll be going to nationwide, free foreign withdrawls, decent interest rates and very good customer service is what i need! however, what does everyone think of the hsbc now offering free foreign wthdrawls on their new current account??

cadboll

I'm not that familiar with HSBC but just from a quick look at the rates on their current accounts, I don't think that free foreign withdrawals alone would entice me to use them! I don't think you'll go far wrong with Nationwide but would advise keep a close eye on interest rates to always ensure you're getting the best deal!

grumpyoldgit_2

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote:

many thanks guys, i think i'll be going to nationwide, free foreign withdrawls, decent interest rates and very good customer service is what i need! however, what does everyone think of the hsbc now offering free foreign wthdrawls on their new current account??

Hi

There was something on TV recently (and I think on this site) about the "free" foreign withdrawals - it seems they are free of NW charges but may still be subject to local fees at point of usage. May be worth doing a bit more research if that is your main advantage - unless of course someone else on the board knows more....................?

GoG

Caped_Avenger

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote:

Ive heard that about FD as well... wasnt going to go with them as they're part of HSBC and they are shipping all the call centre jobs abroad (one of the reasons i have a halifax account is because they have a call centre here in belfast, even tho it is awful!)

fd have a call centre in Leeds, and one in Hamilton, Glasgow. They don't have any abroad, and aren't moving any abroad. Unless you're talking about HSBC, who do have CCs overseas, yes.

grumpyoldgit wrote:

they are infuriatingly keen on sending unsolicited mailshots at every and any opportunity.

Phone them up, and tell them to stop. Simple as that.

virgin_moneysaver

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote:

Actually ive never been charged by the halifax but that doesnt mean I have to sit back and let the raise the charges for everything from failed dd's to chaps payments..

So its down to the nationwide and smile! used to have a smile account to pay my bills out of, why oh why did i ever close it down!!

just to play devils advocate - you're complaining about charges that have never been made, so you're proof that a bank account can be run without charges - a feat that some people on this forum fail to grasp or acknowledge - as to chaps payments, payments abroad etc - they are a service above & beyond the normal requirements of a standard personal account, of which basic services like regular payments, statements ,provision of cheque books & debit cards are all free, so the banks charge a fee for this extra service - the financial institutions are a business like any other & charge fees like any other business - so would you call a plumber in to repair your boiler & then complain when he charges you for the parts to do the job? -