Current account recommendations, please

[Kermit power]

Evening all,

I've just got home and opened the post to discover that Natwest have decided they're going to reduce many of the benefits on my Advantage Private account and increase the annual charges at the same time under the guise of changing it into something they call a "Black Account".

Needless to say, they've given it the usual Blair-style spin about "giving you more of the benefits you want and removing the ones you don't", but this doesn't change the fact that they've removed some of the benefits I want and put in others I don't. I am therefore annoyed by this, and thinking it may be time to trundle off to a different bank.

The question, therefore, is whom would people recommend?

I realise many will say not to bother with the premium accounts, as nobody really uses all the benefits, so they're not worth it. Personally, however, I generally do, and yes, I'm sure I could probably get a better deal by shopping around separately for travel insurance, breakdown cover, mobile insurance, home emergency cover, etc, etc, etc, but frankly, I really can't be arsed!

The other thing is that although I only ever go near a branch once in a blue moon, I would prefer to bank with someone who actually has a branch network should I want to discuss anything face to face with a real human being. Having said that, they must have decent internet banking though!

Lastly, I've been intrigued by radio ads from Lloyds TSB to do with their money manager thingy. Does that actually categorise your spending for you automatically, and if so, does it also include their credit cards, or just current accounts?

[KelWedge]

First Direct, Telephone service Brill, Internet the same and if you need a branch then HSBC.
Been with them since 1989, and yes they have a posh bank service if you like that sort of thing

[nomisesor]

You've read the forum and are just trying to tease the FD customers out from behind their stones to swallow the fly. Go to FD without all the fancy account stuff.

Chalk (as Linda Slagg would say, geddit!!) one up...

[Brother D]

Yeah FD are consistently rated the best both on here and by peers.

[nomisesor]

Chalk 3 up so far!

[Wings]

First Direct, been with them 19 years with no complaints.

[scottri]

another FD customer here.

[RichUK]

Another FD recommendation here.

[marcosgt]

And another - Been with Midland/HSBC/FD since 1979, never had an issue and First Direct are brilliant in my experience.

Never had a cash withdrawl refused abroad and (touch wood) they don't have one of those stupid calculator things to access your account online...

M.

[Chris_]

I would have a look at HSBC's Premier Account as well. No monthly fees and you get family travel insurance plus various other goodies, particularly on car insurance and if you play golf.

[Kermit power]

Hmm... Lots for First Direct so far!

Has anyone got any experience of Lloyds? I'm highly drawn by their Money Manager thing, especially as I can also get data from credit cards in there and automatically allocated. I'm incredibly lazy when it comes to budgeting, so would welcome something which makes that easier!

[RenesisEvo]

Chris_ said:

I would have a look at HSBC's Premier Account as well. No monthly fees and you get family travel insurance plus various other goodies, particularly on car insurance and if you play golf.

You neatly glossed over just how much you have to have/be earning to be eligible!

[Chris_]

The OP mentioned Natwest Black accounts; the HSBC Premier criteria are the same, so I was comparing like-for-like.

[Kermit power]

I've just been looking at the cost of separate breakdown cover. It costs a bloody fortune! Suddenly packaged accounts are looking financially (as opposed to just lazily) viable on that alone.

[Stu R]

Yet to have any major issues with Barclays in the years I've been using them. First Direct seem to get nothing but high praise though.

[Kermit power]

I'm worried by the lack of Lloyds customers on here now.

I really like the look of the money manager thingy though.

[Wombat3]

And another with FD

+ 12 quid a month for the "First Directory" thing buys me annual travel insurance for the family, mobile phone insurance, breakdown cover & free cash withdrawals from ATM's overseas + some other stuff I think.

[toast boy]

And another FD. Can't fault them, which is more than I can say for the other banks that friends and family have do deal with. Someone polite, competent and friendly to speak to on the phone and a branch network at HSBC should you need it.

I've got First Directory as well which covers the usual insurances/covers plus a load of other benefits I don't use but probably should.

[fourfoldroot]

They have just done this to me as well and I am less than impressed. Still they probably are trying to recoup the losses of their Gambling Sector.
I only took up Private banking because it offered an automatic overdraft facility of 10k, this is now defunct and and overdraft has to be re begged for every year or so.
Have you looked at the Advantage Gold account, it still does the green flag and travel insurance and other bits and bobs. Ok you dont get a personal manager on call but this facility is less useful now as most things can be managed personally online,ie direct debits,standing orders etc. It also save changing banks which will be a fag.

[Kermit power]

fourfoldroot said:

Have you looked at the Advantage Gold account, it still does the green flag and travel insurance and other bits and bobs. Ok you dont get a personal manager on call but this facility is less useful now as most things can be managed personally online,ie direct debits,standing orders etc. It also save changing banks which will be a fag.

This is true. Our personal managers had been excellent right up until the most recent one, who makes me shudder every time he uses "We was" to start a sentence. Mind you, the previous managers weren't as good as their assistant, who had a lovely Welsh accent and went through security questions along the lines of "how did your little lad enjoy his first day at school then?"