Offset Mortgage Account alternative to IF

[shindha]

We (me and the wife) have an offset mortgage account with Intelligent Finance (Halifax) we have held this account for about 15 years. They have now made these accounts sort of dormant they will still carry on operating the existing accounts but not open any new ones. They will not allow us to set up any more "jars" within our existing account and not borrow any more funds either.
We would like to know if any one knows of a competitive alternative or experience of an offset account from a different provider. Although we have been quite happy with this account and method of dealing with our finances but are open to new ideas.
Tanks for looking Shindha

[don'tbesilly]

We use First Direct

http://mortgages.firstdirect.com/mortgage-rates-fe...

[Countdown]

I had the same problem with IF. First Direct are offering something similar and they will actually be better for me as I do my "main" banking with them.

I get the impression that HBOS are just trying to run down the IF business. Their E-saver account used to pay 1.5% until quite recently and now it's down to 0.5%.

[JQ]

We moved from IF to First Direct and are very happy.

[Slaav]

First Direct are excellent but if you can't go there (they are very picky!) then Barclays/Woolwich are very competitive with nearly as good functionality. The offset isn't calculated in the same way as IF though but net end result effectively the same

[anonymous-user]

Late 2008 I switched to IF boe +.59% tracker.
They write to me on a regular basis asking me to switch to other products of theirs, haha!
I could pay it of but not worth it, will wait until rates rise or see if they offer a reduced settlement to cut their losses maybe?