Best Current Accounts

[richwig83]

Ive been with Halifax since I was about 5, so 25 years. They have basically been humping me for the last 9 months for one reason or another so time to move.

Will be moving early next year. Is there any one account that sticks out? or are they all much of a muchness?? I'm after a no charge account.

Thanks
Rich

[walm]

In before the entire thread contains posts saying: First Direct.

In fairness - I take their paying account for I think £12 a month because it gives me roadside assistance and travel insurance, oh and fee-free cash withdrawal abroad. So I probably just about breakeven on that in total.

[Sir Bagalot]

walm said:

First Direct.

This

[jogon]

Agree with above on FD as customer service is great but you need to be a well behaved customer as they rape you if you ever go overdrawn or bounced dd etc. If you are an organised sort and pay all your bills on DD and never really feel the need to speak to customer services then the 123 Santander Account is worth considering due to the decent cash back. Yes the service is ste but I use it purely for bills and paying our mortgage and then FD for my personal banking. So I very rarely have to speak with Santander.

[Accelebrate]

I've been very happy with FD for years now, and have quite a few products with them. They were excellent with my mortgage, good rates and happy to lend more than anyone else at the time as they'd got plenty of financial history on my current account to nosy at.

My only gripe recently is the fee they charge when you receive an international payment. My expenses are now paid from the states and run twice a month, being charged £16 a month in fees has narked me enough to open a Satander account.

[richwig83]

So first direct? I presume the dont have "banks" as such. What do I do with cheques?

[sumo69]

richwig83 said:

So first direct? I presume the dont have "banks" as such. What do I do with cheques?

You use an HSBC branch - they are in the same UK group.

David

[Simpo Two]

Or post them. I've posted cheques to FD for about 20 years with no problems.

[richwig83]

Ok. Thanks guys. :-)

[trashbat]

If you sign up for First Direct via an existing customer, that person gets £50 (I think).

You also get £100 for signing up, regardless of the above.

I will happily provide you with a referral postcard to take my cut, but I expect you know someone closer to home with an FD account who could benefit instead.

[K12beano]

richwig83 said:

....cheques?

Look, I'm quite ancient. Last century I vaguely remember having to study the Bills of Exchange Act 1888 and the Cheques Act 1957, but is what any bank can do with cheques at all relevant these days?

Just curious.

[richwig83]

K12beano said:

richwig83 said:

....cheques?

Look, I'm quite ancient. Last century I vaguely remember having to study the Bills of Exchange Act 1888 and the Cheques Act 1957, but is what any bank can do with cheques at all relevant these days?

Just curious.

Well... yes. Occasionally I do still receive payment by cheque.

[jinkster]

Handelsbanken are very good - the internet banking service they provide (2 years ago) is poor compared to the rest.

I'm with RBS Child and Co and they are very good. RBS based company but you can speak to the Child Branch on Fleet Street who seem to be very good.

[4sure]

Another one for First Direct

[KTF]

Everyones 'best' is different. What are you looking for?

For example:
Customer service - First Direct.
Interest and cashback - Santander 123.
Bundles extras for a monthly low fee - Nationwide.
No fees for overseas transactions - Metro Bank.

Have a read of this for the rundown: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-b...

[Countdown]

Another vote for FD here.

By the way don't Halifax have a current account which pays you £5 each month as long as you deposit £1000 ?

[m444ttb]

Nationwide for me, I do work for them and know the people who run the product.

[Accelebrate]

Accelebrate said:

My only gripe recently is the fee they charge when you receive an international payment. My expenses are now paid from the states and run twice a month, being charged £16 a month in fees has narked me enough to open a Satander account.

Just to update on this, I'm now up and running with my second Santander account. They've made me realise how good First Direct are, and how much aggravation I've been avoiding in recent years:

• Despite posting all of my documents out in multiple parts they all 7 or 8 identical envelopes turned up on the same day.
• The number of different passcodes, ID numbers, phrases and registration numbers you need to remember or be able to access for online and telephone banking seems overly complicated.
• You have to call an 0845 number to speak to someone, I found a non-0845 number and called it, it told me to call back as I wasn't abroad.
• There are far too many options once you actually phone up.
• When I eventually got hold of someone she sounded annoyed before I'd even asked her anything, she quickly spouted out the details I'd requested barely giving me time to write them down (IBAN, SWIFT code etc) and didn't seem too impressed that I wanted to read them back to her.

[944fan]

This is PH, we clearly all use Coutts.

[K12beano]

944fan said:

This is PH, we clearly all use Coutts.

Whenever I find myself on The Strand I always try and bag a sleeping spot in their doorway, second best place..... (on The Strand)