Bank Accounts

A question about : Bank Accounts

I am looking for a good bank. I need a current account, with a switch card. What would you recommend?

I dont know anything about IFA, ISA, etc.......... all i know is you get a card and you put it in a ATM, thats all i know lol

thanks

Best answers:

• i am sorry, i put this in the wrong section, could somebody please move this to the correct section
  Thanks
• lloyds tsb premier account has some excellent fratures (12 months interest-free overdraft, high rate of interest on any money daved in the account) but you need to pay your salary into it.
  If you're a student, check out the students' board.
  p.s. don't brag about what you don't know, DO something about it
• I dont want to go with Barclays >
  HSBC, Halifax, etc.... What do you reccommend?
  Over 130 views and only 1 answer :-[ :'( :'(
• Hi mclaren
  Probably one of the reasons you haven't got much useful advice back is because you haven't given us much information about your situation.
  Bank accounts vary widely on what they offer, personally I bank with First Direct, never had a problem in 12 plus years.
  I have a free Ј3500 overdraft facility( I pay interest on any outstanding balance but no fee), I think new customers get Ј500 OD limit to start with. You get a switch card which also doubles as a cash withdrawal card and you can use any Link machine in this country. Cheques can be posted or paid in at the HSBC branches. They have great
  customer services, always real people 24/7 even Christmas day. They also have things like text alerts which help to keep within OD limits and let you know when payments hit your account.
  You do have to pay a salary check in each month so I am not sure if your circumstances would be right for this.
  Look at the other posts on the board about First direct, I don't work for them or anything, I am just a satisfied customer. You can get Ј25 for opening an account at the moment. www.firstdirect.com
• If you can pay in at least Ј1000 a month go for the new Premier Plus current account with Alliance + Leicester. If you can pay in Ј500+ go for their Premier current account. There are already a number of threads about both these accounts if you have a look on the 'Current Accounts' board. Also read through Martin's article about current accounts on this site.
  If not able to pay in that much try First Direct. In all three of these accounts if you apply online you get a free Ј25 credit. Good incentive if nothing else!
• I am new to First Direct myself but am impressed with what i have seen so far. !I had one moan about them which they quickly rectified, and compensated me for so i am happy with the outcome. !I have posted Here in the Referal section if you want to be refered and gain a cash incentive too.
• Hi mclaren
  The Bank Account at FD needs Ј1000 minimum per month, they also have another account called the Cheque Account which has no minimum monthly amount but some of the benefits are cut down. See below quoted from FD website, lower interst on balance and lower OD limit both of which were not priorities for you as I recall.....
  "Cheque Account available
  Alternatively, you can open a Cheque Account which offers the same great 24 hour access by phone or internet.
  automatic Ј250 overdraft
  Ј500 a day cash withdrawals
  0.10% AER (0.10%gross) variable interest on credit balances
  variable overdraft interest rate of 15.9% EAR
  free Travel Accident and Overdraft Life Cover
  card with chip and PIN technology "
  Give them a call to see if what they offer is right for you.
  As I said in my previous post I have been with them for over 12 years and I have never had cause to complain about anything. No other bank has managed 12 weeks without making me scream!!