Yup - my credit rating must be pretty murky after years of abuse - I jumped to HSBC First Direct a couple of months a go and have everything apart from a cheque guarantee card which I have only just noticed now you mention it! But I cam do dds and so's and have a £500 overdraft (at 10%) and frankly I was more than happy withthat - just so I could have somewhere to bank after theb readed A n L closed on me which they did this week....good luck to little sis - she's lucky to have a big sis! Boudica

oooh - that's sooo reassuring - thank you! I will do the LBA with the new figure. many thanks . Bou

just as warned i have made an error in my claim and wonder if it is rectifiable please? I have claimed 8% in my initial request for repayment of charges. I have since received a letter saying A and L have done nothing unlawful and are not willing to repay. I have received notice that my other a/c is being closed as I am overdrawn by £380 instead of £200 and have opened a parachute a/c. pls could usuggest my next action and i promise to read it properly this time.... best regards boudica

I'm at about the same stage -with the first of my two accounts with A + L. I have recived the nothing unlawful letter back and am about to proceed with the LBA - much heartened by the front page of the sunday times. There have been gaps between my bouts of activity as I still have a need/inclination to stick my head in the sand. Wish you well with your action. I have opened an a/c with first direct and all has gone OK. A + L have closed my account as of last week so I was just in time! regards Boudica