Best bank account

Housey · 24 Jun 2015 at 14:34

First Direct sound like a right move based on what you outline you need. Current account, credit card, loan and mortgage, but what bank suits is a very individual thing and there is rarely a one size fits all. Santander and Lloyds are both separate companies, Halifax is part of Lloyds Banking Group.

Don't be put off by some of the new challenger banks either. Atom Bank is interesting, big backers, licence just approved and formed by the former CEO of FD, Mark Mullen. They will have no branches OR website, a pure mobile play. I spend my life working inside banks and some of the challenger banks are doing some really cool stuff, such as video recognition via passport to open and account in seconds for one bank in Germany.

coolsurfer · 26 Jun 2015 at 01:33

leigh_boy said:
ok i like the sound of them, its not one i am familiar with in my area so paying money in could be a pain.

Is the a HSBC in your area? First Direct is a division of HSBC so you can use HSBC branches to pay your cheques in and do other banking stuff.

TommyV · 26 Jun 2015 at 04:18

Have been with Barclays for about 15 years.

Only problem I've had is when I've been abroad, I've rung them before leaving to get my card setup. On 3 occasions I've had to ring them from said country asking why the **** my card isn't working.

FloppyPoppy · 26 Jun 2015 at 05:21

was with HSBC I hated them and they caused me many issues. Decided to swap to Halifax who also gave me £100 to swap ( and let them do all the work transferring direct debits ect )

Not had any of the issues i had with HSBC. Can't comment on using the card abroad though.

leigh_boy · 26 Jun 2015 at 08:20

coolsurfer said:
Is the a HSBC in your area? First Direct is a division of HSBC so you can use HSBC branches to pay your cheques in and do other banking stuff.

thats useful information as we do have a hsbc in eastbourne

kayomani · 26 Jun 2015 at 08:28

I originally left hsbc for first direct as there was litterally no way to save at hsbc, the best account they offered was 1.3%. First direct had a 8% (Now 6%) regular saver which is great. Moved there and haven't looked back since.

Glanza · 26 Jun 2015 at 08:43

Been with Nationwide 25 years and had no issues with them at all.

Yes I don't get some 'fancy features' like santander offer but it works great for me.

The_blue · 26 Jun 2015 at 10:14

With the co-op bank 3 years and no issues.

Quit barclays after my card was cancelled on 4 foreign trips over 4 years. (Ciaro, Ecuador, Dutch Antilles and Norway.)

Even informing them i was going made no difference. I got £300 compensation over the years but that doesn't cover being cashless in south america...

Hades · 26 Jun 2015 at 10:17

Having recently had the misfortune to choose HSBC while remortgaging I would say that any bank except HSBC would be good. They simply can't get anything right... and even the wrong things take months to happen. What a shambles they are.

{SAS}TB · 26 Jun 2015 at 10:24