Has Cater Allen changed the way to send one-time payments with a reference?

[Pherlopolus]

but your stupidity is a good fix for the situation now! thanks!

My Stupidity?

[PerfectStorm]

Cater Allen sound rubbish. Why do people recommend them? No instant transfers, no mobile app, this... is their rep based on backhanders and commission?

[pr1]

i definitely would not recommend them - i got pushed towards them from my (now ex-)accountant

they're very oldschool, thick letterheaded paper and posh looking folders but definitely behind the mainstream regarding online/mobile etc

[pr1]

My Stupidity?

stupidity was harsh - happy to change it to "solution"

[Maslins]

Cater Allen sound rubbish. Why do people recommend them? No instant transfers, no mobile app, this... is their rep based on backhanders and commission?

I agree with the faults you mention, but their customer service is good. Reasonably intelligent people who answer the phone promptly.

Also I think one thing that appeals is that they're one of a few banks who still have a "free forever" account (within certain limits). Some people just really resent paying ~£5/month to their bank.

[Pherlopolus]

stupidity was harsh - happy to change it to "solution"

I was pointing out that my solution avoided the need for typing Salary, Dividend and Expenses 12 times a year...

Cater Allen works fine for me, It's free and I usually set up transfers a week ahead of time anyway, and and am never in a rush to move money. It's probably a long way off being the best but it's 100% fit for purpose for me.

My only conscious decision when choosing a business bank account was that I didn't want it the same as my personal bank

[pr1]

I was pointing out that my solution avoided the need for typing Salary, Dividend and Expenses 12 times a year...

if "salary" "dividend" and "expenses" are the only descriptions you ever use then yeah it's perfect

[SueEllen]

i definitely would not recommend them - i got pushed towards them from my (now ex-)accountant

they're very oldschool, thick letterheaded paper and posh looking folders but definitely behind the mainstream regarding online/mobile etc

European banking regulations, which are now law, mean that bank transfers must take a maximum of one working day.

The problem for them and some other smaller building societies/ banks is that they don't actually run their own payment system so piggy back on to one that does. This makes the payment process slower.

[syrio]

I agree with the faults you mention, but their customer service is good. Reasonably intelligent people who answer the phone promptly.

Exactly what I'd say. I've just spoken to Cater Allen today and yesterday and the difference between them and my Santander personal account is huge. Straight through to someone on both occasions and problem sorted. Of course that is just what you should expect, but it is so rare nowadays.

Website is a bit clunky, but it does the job.

[emperorz]

this is not fun

Just asked them about this. Basically, the reference field is the payee reference. And you have no access to the statement reference. This is good for HMRC and credit cards, but otherwise is a pain. Oh well.