Recommend a bank account

[worsy]

As title

Sadly First Direct have decided to end their First Directory so I need an account which provides Worldwide Travel Insurance, Mobile Phone Insurance.

I've been with FD for 35 years so have never moved accounts, so needs a nice easy process. Joint account required, can be premier level if needed. Credit card and savings accounts naturally. Thinking that HSBC Premier would be the easiest, however annoyingly as an existing FD customer they won't bung me 500 to switch

What is the recommendation these days?

[illmonkey]

Was just looking at my letter wondering where to go for the same!

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-...

[alangla]

I can’t recommend an account, but having switched a year or so ago (ironically to First Direct), the current account switching process seems to be generally fairly painless, so I wouldn’t worry too much about the mechanics of relocating your account.

[worsy]

alangla said:

I can t recommend an account, but having switched a year or so ago (ironically to First Direct), the current account switching process seems to be generally fairly painless, so I wouldn t worry too much about the mechanics of relocating your account.

Good to know. The worst thing will be not being able to reel off my account number at sort code

illmonkey said:

Was just looking at my letter wondering where to go for the same!

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-...

Darned annoying. Have weighed up the cost of sorting it myself but it is a good perk.

[_Rodders_]

Nationwide do all that.

[worsy]

_Rodders_ said:

Nationwide do all that.

Yes I think it is their Flexaccount. We had our mortgage with them and no issues, and on the plus side they have a presence in the small town we live in, so good option I think.

[Quhet]

Halifax does all that too. Been very happy with them for the 15 odd years I've had my account

[Dave Hedgehog]

_Rodders_ said:

Nationwide do all that.

they also give us £100 profit sharing reasonably frequently

[worsy]

Quhet said:

Halifax does all that too. Been very happy with them for the 15 odd years I've had my account

Sadly closed our local branch, so doesn't make sense if going for a traditional branch.

That includes Barclays and Lloyds in that list.

[Blue M5 Comp]

Another vote for Nationwide

[craig1912]

Monzo Max is worth a look. Been with them 7 years and never had an issue, coming from FD where I was with them from the start.

[mikeiow]

Nationwide are decent.
I have an old FlexAccount, & we have a joint FlexPlus acct. £18pcm to include travel insurance, phone cover and breakdown cover: we have had occasion to use the first and last & found them good.

[Ziplobb]

worsy said:

As title

Sadly First Direct have decided to end their First Directory so I need an account which provides Worldwide Travel Insurance, Mobile Phone Insurance.

I've been with FD for 35 years so have never moved accounts, so needs a nice easy process. Joint account required, can be premier level if needed. Credit card and savings accounts naturally. Thinking that HSBC Premier would be the easiest, however annoyingly as an existing FD customer they won't bung me 500 to switch

What is the recommendation these days?

Premier does not do the mobile phone insurance or if you need it breakdown cover like the Narionwide package does.

It does do a very good mastercard with reward points that can be converted to airline points with all the big airlines though which is quite unique

[durbster]

worsy said:

I've been with FD for 35 years so have never moved accounts, so needs a nice easy process. Joint account required, can be premier level if needed. Credit card and savings accounts naturally.

There's zero reward for loyalty so people should be switching accounts whenever they want. It's all painless these days in my experience.

You'll rarely get the best bank, credit card and savings accounts through a single provider. Best to shop around for those.

Oh, and another vote for Nationwide here.

[worsy]

Thanks all and yes to durbster, I realise no loyalty. It is still a wrench though

[numtumfutunch]

mikeiow said:

Nationwide are decent.
I have an old FlexAccount, & we have a joint FlexPlus acct. £18pcm to include travel insurance, phone cover and breakdown cover: we have had occasion to use the first and last & found them good.

Late to the party but this is where I shall be when FD bin the Directory in the autumn. I think.......

I have an account I actually use with Monzo but to add the missus takes the monthlies to £22 for like for like cover

Having done a 'bit' of research it looks like Nationwide dont care if the account is active or not so Im planning to transfer £18 in each month to cover the costs - I'll stick with FD for my other stuff including long established direct debits and salary payments

Have I missed anything?

[Blue_star]

Monzo been great for me

[worsy]

numtumfutunch said:

mikeiow said:

Nationwide are decent.
I have an old FlexAccount, & we have a joint FlexPlus acct. £18pcm to include travel insurance, phone cover and breakdown cover: we have had occasion to use the first and last & found them good.

Late to the party but this is where I shall be when FD bin the Directory in the autumn. I think.......

I have an account I actually use with Monzo but to add the missus takes the monthlies to £22 for like for like cover

Having done a 'bit' of research it looks like Nationwide dont care if the account is active or not so Im planning to transfer £18 in each month to cover the costs - I'll stick with FD for my other stuff including long established direct debits and salary payments

Have I missed anything?

You need a FlexPlus account but seems like a plan.

Edited by worsy on Saturday 9th May 09:14

[Jon39]

worsy said:

As title

Sadly First Direct have decided to end their First Directory so I need an account which provides Worldwide Travel Insurance, Mobile Phone Insurance.

I've been with FD for 35 years so have never moved accounts, so needs a nice easy process. Joint account required, can be premier level if needed. Credit card and savings accounts naturally. Thinking that HSBC Premier would be the easiest, however annoyingly as an existing FD customer they won't bung me 500 to switch

What is the recommendation these days?

Are you referencing just one bank account?
I have never relied on a single bank.
Rare, but from time to time things go wrong and then already having alternative arrangements can be vital.

I also use different banks and accounts to be a compartment system.
Bank A - Main account (1) - although not many transactions now in this digital age, because most spending is by credit cards (for cashback and consumer protection).
Bank A - Dividend account - just receives company dividends.
Bank B - all direct debit payments and handy for 3rd party credits, so the main account details are never revealed.
Bank C - for receipt of various pension income and outgoing monthly family gifts (the tax free excess income scheme).

The system might be thought of as being complicated, but in reality having the compartment basis makes everything work very simply.

Amex is a reasonable cashback credit card, with Barclaycard as a (cashback) backup when Amex not accepted by a retailer..
Lloyd's now have a cashback credit card with 1% for the first year, but their trick is a modest credit limit. I thought I could get a few hundred out of them, then get a spouse card in year two, but they were ahead of me on that little game.

A few ideas that might be helpful.

[Shnozz]

I also have a nationwide flex account for travel insurance and mobile insurance.

Still have a first direct account I’ve also had 35 odd years as find their credit card protection superior.

And a Santander world elite card for airport lounge access and a few other minimal perks.