Been with the same bank for over 40 years. Well, sort of, it has been bought out and changed name over the years. It was Clydedale bank when I first joined as a teenager. Now, due to buy outs and takeovers and name changes and whatnot, I've somehow become a Santander customer for the last umpteen years.
Now, finance makes me go glassy eyed. Absoloutely bored stupid whenever I have to discuss anything more complicated than interest rates. I really am not doing myself any favours with my lack of enthusiasm in these matters.
Anyway, Moneysavingexpert newsletter says HSBC is tempting "switchers" with a £200 bribe right now. I fancy making a simple quick £200. Is it really that simple? Do I have to switch banks completely or can I just keep my savings in Santander and open a new account with HSBC and get HSBC to do my direct debits instead of Santander? And if I did switch, will things be likely to go smoothly? What about new debit and credit cards being issued? Would it be a good Idea to keep some actual cash in readies under the matteress if things go pear shaped due to possible delays?
What's the catch? There has to be more to it than I realise.
Now, finance makes me go glassy eyed. Absoloutely bored stupid whenever I have to discuss anything more complicated than interest rates. I really am not doing myself any favours with my lack of enthusiasm in these matters.
Anyway, Moneysavingexpert newsletter says HSBC is tempting "switchers" with a £200 bribe right now. I fancy making a simple quick £200. Is it really that simple? Do I have to switch banks completely or can I just keep my savings in Santander and open a new account with HSBC and get HSBC to do my direct debits instead of Santander? And if I did switch, will things be likely to go smoothly? What about new debit and credit cards being issued? Would it be a good Idea to keep some actual cash in readies under the matteress if things go pear shaped due to possible delays?
What's the catch? There has to be more to it than I realise.