Which bank?

apeZ

apeZ

apeZ

Soldato
Joined
22 Sep 2008
Posts
4,300
Location
Kent, England
I'm 17 (18 in May), and am thinking of switching from Halifax to another bank as they have been messing me around recently - none of my online transactions are going through, even after receiving a new card.

Ideally I'm after 2 bank accounts:

- One for general usage. Online transactions, high street withdrawals etc. I also want a good online interface, so I can make BTs and set up direct debits without hassle.
- One for savings. Planning to put a chunk of my wages in there on a monthly basis.

I'm not sure where to look though, as my only past experience has been with Halifax. Just wondered if any OCUKers have suggestions or advice where to go?
 
HSBC :). I use both their personal and business services and they're fine... they're a bank that does what I need at the end of the day, but then, most do.

Also the only bank that hasn't been 'affected' by the crisis - they haven't taken out any loans with the UK government at any rate.
 
Santander (alliance and leicester etc) have a superb online system, by far my favourite. My current account and savings account appear in the same area and I can easily move money between them. So far in 2 years I haven't had the bank make any mistakes with DDs or standing orders, which compared with the other banks I use is quite something.
 
Also, should I be looking at cash ISAs for savings? I have about £2k I can deposit in one, and I assume I can keep depositing cash in there (up to £3,600, I think)... would that be a good idea for savings?
 
Conversely to Kami's experience above, Santander (or Abbey as they were up until last Monday) have managed to completely fail to send a new bank card to my correct and current address for over two months now which is quite startlingly incompetent. To give them their due they did send a bank card out to an address that I lived at almost two years ago and I've changed address twice in the time but I have had multiple phone calls with their call centres, weekly visits to the bank etc to confirm the address and they still can't get it right. Their online system is pretty good though.

At the moment I've just opened up an account with NatWest, I'll wait a few months before final judgement but the advisor has been pleasant and seems pretty competent.

apeZ: it might be good for you to speak to an advisor in whatever bank you choose to outline the best options but yes, ISAs tend to be quite a good idea as they're tax free up to £3,600 (at the moment), the only issue is finding a good rate of return at the moment, just before the new tax year i.e. end of March you may find better deals but do check what the banks are offering.
 
The ISA thing you will probably have to check out as the offers seem to be changing constantly. I know Natwest had a pretty nice deal recently were they offered you an extra .5% signing up interest and an extra 1% interest on your ISA after a year if you didnt take money out.

Take a look at these sites if to get a summary of the latest deals
www.moneysavingexpert.com
www.moneysupermarket.com

There is a lot of crap on there but it will give you a nice little list of what you are after. (Hopefully those arent deemed competitor links)
 
HSBC - ive been with a couple of banks over the years & ive found HSBC to be the best. When I was going through a difficult time with an ex, I got a new a/c set up within seconds & the general support/help/services are great. Plus I use the online banking often & never had any problems with it.
 
Why not try a building society current account like with the Nationwide? You don't get charged with using your Visa Debit card abroad like you do with other cards.
 
As above, I'd avoid Santander, it seems they've managed to bodge a load of mergers of systems together.

I had loads of trouble with their online service after they inherited my Abbey card.
 
Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation for me.

Or Nationwide seem nicer then the rest.
 
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