Changing bank

[b0redom]

My current bank, NatWest, have decided to start charging me for my business account, this is despite the fact that when I signed up, I was told that there would never be any charges as long as I only performed a few transactions per month, and kept a significant balance.

This is on top of being charged for their personal premium banking service, and their black credit card. I've had enough.

Ideally I want:

Good Internet banking.
No fees.

The only benefits I used my black card for were:

Access to airport lounges (very occasionally)
Travel insurance (very occasionally)
Access to a real person who could sort out problems 24x7.

What is the panel's favourite bank? Is it still Cater Allen?

[ChimpMaster]

Barclays wanted to charge me after the first 12 months' free offer was up. I called in to see the manager, explained to him how my company funds were sitting there earning me no interest and no doubt earning Barclays a big whack somewhere.

He saw the light and cancelled all charges.

It might be worthwhile you having a word with the man in charge.

[b0redom]

Tried that, and he assured me that there is no way that would happen.

[TinTrump]

For me, yes, Cater Allen. Personal & company accounts with them. They don't charge for foreign ATM withdrawals either & since I'd been working overseas recently that's been very handy.

[kaiser78]

Abbey / Santander offer free business banking, all online. Only downside is being online they don't deal with account queries in the branch. But how often would you ever need to do this ? I would recommend them.

[Support Monkey]

Cater Allen easy website and always on the end of the phone, never had an issue getting through, the only drawback unless you have a massive warchest interest is nil

Santander (AL) the website is a pain

[b0redom]

Ok, so I realise that the plural of anecdote isn't data. Has anyone had a negative experience with Cater Allen?

Regards...

b0redom

[escapeUK]

My current bank, NatWest, have decided to start charging me for my business account, this is despite the fact that when I signed up, I was told that there would never be any charges as long as I only performed a few transactions per month, and kept a significant balance.

As someone who tried to open a "free" Abbey account, and after almost 5 weeks with no bank account while they messed about, I would avoid them like the plague. Strangely enough I then contacted Natwest who instantly opened an account (under 24 hours) and were super efficient. Be very very careful. Free is only any good if it actually works, or you actually get it.

If you search Santander or Abbey complaints in Google, you will see what I mean.

[SueEllen]

The only complaint I've just seen on these boards about Cater Allen is that Faster Payments aren't set up properly.

Though the person who was complaining had a First Direct account and moved their business account to HSBC and were surprised to find they were almost instantaneous. A bit like when I move money to my Coventry BS account which HSBC provide BACs and other clearing services for.

HSBC do have free online banking if you do virtually everything online and their faster payments has worked well for ages. They were very quick in setting up an account and providing me with cards that's if you can be bothered to visit a branch with the correct ID. (Hint: phone them up before hand and ask what you need to bring.)

The only issues I've found:
1. Call centre staff though UK based can be numpties - though to be fair there is no bank or BS I've been with who doesn't employ an idiot from the UK.
2. They can take their site down and not put an message on the site saying it's down leaving you to think you have done something wrong. Their excuse is that they didn't have time.
3. You have to carry a key fob around with you otherwise you can't log on

[TykeMerc]

Ok, so I realise that the plural of anecdote isn't data. Has anyone had a negative experience with Cater Allen?

Regards...

b0redom

There were a lot of complaints on here about 1.5-2 years back that they cocked up a bunch of accounts during a big data migration, but if memory serves they were resolved in a week or two.

Apart from that I've only ever seen praise for their service and I've no complaints other than it would be nice to get interest on my funds.