Jumping from the saucepan into the fire

[Cassandra1413]

I know a parachute account is necessary before making a claim. However, given the trouble people are having with all these banks, isn't it a good idea to find out which bank is the least worst of all offenders? What is your vote?

[Monika]

Some where along the line (can't recall where I read this now,sorry) I saw advise about the "best" banks, the top one was Alliance & Leceister, I have my account up and running with them.

[Glenn UK]

natwest worked for me, my parachte account was set up when i had a debt managament plan and NW have been fine so far!!

 

Glenn

[lknox]

I vote Natwest too.

 

I guess it's a personal thing - I like the people in my local branch and never had the kind of problems I've since had with Abbey.

I had a current account with them which was closed when I got divorced.

I wish I'd stayed with them instead of Abbey. But now got a parachute Step account with them.

[Lula]

I have nothing but praise for Smile, the gave me a debit and a credit card a freeo/d for £500 and I do it all online and pay stuff in in the tpost office, apart from the savings account which you have to use their co op cash machines for, but you can always just tranfer money from one account to another and then go to any link machine, oh and I dont have to see anyone, and their call centre is in the UK

[Cassandra1413]

Thanks for all your replies.

 

I opened an account with Nationwide yesterday with online facilities. The staff keeps trying to get financial information off me in order to sell me mortgage, insurance and unit trust investments which alarmed me a fair bit (but hey, what else is new?). I wonder how much information we disclose to the bank are really necessary and on a 'need to know' basis!!

 

They asked me why I want another bank account if I banked with CrAbbey for 20 years! On hearing that I want a separate account for all my DDs, SOs and cheque payments, she immediately said their charge is £30 each time if I get overdrawn without authorisation and what nots. Hah, what a presumptuous wretch.

 

Now I have to tread very carefully, don't want to jump from a frying pan into the fire .

[Cassandra1413]

oh and I dont have to see anyone, and their call centre is in the UK

 

, I would like that too! Hate talking to people whose has trouble understanding my request and wouldn't admit it, nor get things right for love or money !

[Cassandra1413]

Some where along the line (can't recall where I read this now,sorry) I saw advise about the "best" banks, the top one was Alliance & Leceister, I have my account up and running with them.

 

Lucky you, I don't think we have a A&L branch in sight anywhere.

[Cassandra1413]

I'd vote for Nationwide..... only really because they have brilliant online banking facilities, and the people in my branch are lovely. As good a reason as any for chosing a bank

 

I heard about them not charging people drawing our own money abroad. That's why I went with them. Now we have to see...

[Cassandra1413]

NatWest worked for me, my parachte account was set up when i had a debt managament plan and NW have been fine so far!!

 

Glenn

 

:grin: We shall see, says she.

[Cassandra1413]

I vote NatWest too.

 

I guess it's a personal thing - I like the people in my local branch and never had the kind of problems I've since had with Abbey.

I had a current account with them which was closed when I got divorced.

I wish I'd stayed with them instead of Abbey. But now got a parachute Step account with them.

 

The traditional banks have more advantages than the building society conversions as they seem to offer better facilities. When I was in a very good job I never had any problems with Abbey either. Only when I got ill and been off work, now work part time and has a relatively low income that they become evil. My impression is that they only want to have 'premium' customers.

[sandrajl]

Lucky you, I don't think we have a A&L branch in sight anywhere.

Ive gone with A&L too my nearest branch is 7miles away but if you need to put money in you can do this through the post office with cash or cheque and you can get cash out at most machines (as theyve given me a card and cheque book too !)