First Direct

[expat]

Why do people insist on going with these old banks and all their charges?

You guys must like paying out money for nothing

Indeed. See Martin Lewis.

[wendigo100]

However, they don't do business accounts (not the last time I checked anyway).

From his post, ratewhore is on about a personal account, not business.

Go with Nationwide.

[Bagpuss]

I would say forget about who has the best deal now, it's about continuity.

I've used nationwide for 8 years, in that time they haven't p1ssed me off once.

Over the same period my g/f had Barclays. She was paying hundreds of pounds a year for worse facillities. I imagine over that time she'd given barclays over a grand, while in the meantime they paid her 0.0000000001 % interest. I guess she had the Kudos of saying "I bank with Barclays" though, which you have to agree is worth every penny!

[bobhope]

FFS, this is a contractor's forum - Coutts or one of the private banks + obligatory Swiss bank account please!

[expat]

FFS, this is a contractor's forum - Coutts or one of the private banks + obligatory Swiss bank account please!

What for? I have nothing to hide.

[AtW]

Fecking Lloyds TSB had it for a long time for Platinum account (personal): get below £4000 and they charge £15

[ratewhore]

Or do you spend all of your income every month? If you do, what are you going to live on when you are between contracts?

tim

I'm going to live on the big balance in my business account which I'll continue to draw from - but thanks for asking...

[thief]

So I got the letter from FD telling me they will be charging me a tenner a month as I don't meet their criteria. As a contractor with low salary and irregular (but hefty) divvies it is easy to fall outside that criteria even though you may be netting 5 times the permie who is depositing their £1500 take home every month, bless em.

Got in touch with them and they spouted the criteria again and refused to listen. So I can either switch banks (If you're paying for a bank account then at least make sure it is a premium one) or, I take one of their other products such as loans, mortgages etc.

Or - I take out one of their savings account and stick a quid in it!

But I'm minded just to say feck em...

Shut up u idiot. Switch your account and stop talking like you really have savings.

[Mailman]

What for? I have nothing to hide.

And if you think you can hide anything in a swiss account your are sadly mistaken!

Mailman

[expat]

And if you think you can hide anything in a swiss account your are sadly mistaken!

Mailman

I certainly don't, but I take it that's what other posters have in mind. Why get a Swiss account otherwise? They don't pay decent interest (and will take withholding from it and give it to your government). The CHF isn't appreciating at the moment. The best reason to have one is call centres that speak English!