Best Current Account

LondonRoad · 29-08-2008, 22:55

Any reccomendations?

Seriously considering changing. At present I've got a smilemore account from Smile but they're just about to raise their charges to Ã‚Â£12 a month. I don't really get VFM for that so looking at other options.

Nationwide flexi accounts look good.

joglynne · 30-08-2008, 00:01

Personally I use NatWest for my private, business, and some savings accounts. Their on-line banking works well for me and I have had no problems.

Which Bank would be good for you will depend on your circumstances. Some Bank's current accounts are better than others if you tend to be overdrawn, and others, are more advantageous if you are always in credit.

IMO your best bet for advice would be to have a look at a site such as Money Saving Expert and you can consider their recommendations taking your own particular circumstances into account.

Once you have narrowed your choice down we can tell you of any bad experiences we have had with those particular Banks.

AndyCambs · 30-08-2008, 07:27

Nationwide give good interest rates on their current accounts, don't load the exchange rates if you use the debit/credit cards abroad, and were the prime movers in stopping banks charging for cash withdrawals from the LINK ATM machines a few years ago.

Xan · 30-08-2008, 07:56

Nationwide 10/10 been with them for well over 7 years

LondonRoad · 30-08-2008, 08:50

Thanks for the responses.

I like my current account to basically run itself. I have separate savings accounts for Xmas and summer holidays so that everything is done by DD.
I've probably been overdrawn twice in the last 5 years although it's running closer and closer recently.

Nationwide looks good. Alliance and Leicester too. Anybody any experience of them?

alferret · 30-08-2008, 11:04

We use 3 accounts, Barclays for most things like DD, wages, etc and 2 halifax accounts, 1 current & 1 Web savings. We have excellent service from both and the web savings give a higher than most other accounts.

oliver1948uk · 30-08-2008, 13:25

I have the Smile ordinary current account and do not pay ANY charges. In fact, they pay me interest. Always worked well.

A family member has a Nationwide account. This also works very well with the advantage of a high interest savings account linked to it. You move money to/from your current accvount online.

Vlad_Dracul · 30-08-2008, 16:25

Thumbs up for Nationwide. Been with them for years. Current account has low rates for overdrafts,no nasty letters and charges,good visa and debit cards especially outside the UK,do your banking on line. True if you ring them up for something its patchy but how often do you do that?

Scrubbs · 30-08-2008, 16:33

try this site, the Forum is down for maintenance but it is fascinating when it is running

AntiSilence · 30-08-2008, 18:13

I'm with Abbey for my personal current account, and LloydsTSB for the business current account. Both of which are pretty good. The only thing I don't like about the LloydsTSB internet banking is that you can't use it between 12am and 4am.

bonzoe · 30-08-2008, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

Thanks for the responses.

snip

Nationwide looks good. Alliance and Leicester too. Anybody any experience of them?

I have used A&L, no complaints, but it looks as though they will be taken over and merged with Abbey.........so, I'm moving to Nationwide. Nice to see the recommendations for Nationwide here.

Just remembered, A&L online banking seems to come back with the message that the service is unavailable at the moment more often than I would like!

01-09-2008, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

I'm with Abbey for my personal current account, and LloydsTSB for the business current account. Both of which are pretty good. The only thing I don't like about the LloydsTSB internet banking is that you can't use it between 12am and 4am.

Isn't that the same with all banks?? Isn't it something to do with them updating after the days trading?? They do tell you not to use cash machines between the hours of 0200 and 0300.

mentalis · 01-09-2008, 07:23

I have a Cahoot account, which is online only. You have to use a post office to pay in cheques. They have a fairly good interest rate.

I am not sure what they are like for overdraft charges or other fees, but when some scrote stole money from my account they put it back with little fuss, and back paid the inrterest.

Support is online, although you can call them. They do reply quite quickly.

Aragorn · 01-09-2008, 10:49

Been with First Direct for about 15 years with no complaints. Great phone and online service, paying in at HSBC. Reasonable interest and no charges (for me, least).

AntiSilence · 01-09-2008, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nidge

Isn't that the same with all banks?? Isn't it something to do with them updating after the days trading?? They do tell you not to use cash machines between the hours of 0200 and 0300.

Not that I know of. My Abbey online banking works all night, as did my Barclays when I was with them. I know that anything I do in my online banking doesn't get processed until the next day if it's after 6pm though, but still, the site works. With the LloydsTSB site it says it's closed.