Reply to: Changing bank

[d000hg]

I've got accounts with both HSBC and Santander (was Abbey). Both free, both very easy to setup, both have reliable and easy online access.

Would recommend either.

[Dearnla]

Again Cater Allen, never had a problem.

+1 to that.
I'm glad my accountants suggested them when I started as a Ltd Co.

[TestMangler]

My account with Cater Allen was at 0.00 for nearly 2 years - and they still didn't charge. And everyone I've spoken to seems quite switched on. Not a Bob Shawadiwadi in earshot!

They started charging £15 per month, but that was a couple of years ago now. Prior to that, they were always fee as long as in credit. If your balance is over 5K, then no charges.

[SeekingIT]

Cater Allen

Excellent Service - Before they had Web interface, Still Excellent Service Now - 10 years.......

[Svalbaard]

Are Cater Allen fee-free again?

I was with them about 7 years ago when they were independent, and they were fee-free then. But then they were taken over by Abbey National and within months the interest rate structure had been overhauled in a downward direction and a monthly flat fee had been introduced.

[JoJoGabor]

WHS......as long as you've got five grand, no charges.

I have personal and business with them. Good t'interweb banking and exceptionally good phone service too.

Only drawback, as someone else stated, is their F.P. sucks.

My account with Cater Allen was at 0.00 for nearly 2 years - and they still didn't charge. And everyone I've spoken to seems quite switched on. Not a Bob Shawadiwadi in earshot!

[TestMangler]

Another vote for Cater Allen...no probs in 6 years

WHS......as long as you've got five grand, no charges.

I have personal and business with them. Good t'interweb banking and exceptionally good phone service too.

Only drawback, as someone else stated, is their F.P. sucks.

[Sausage Surprise]

Another vote for Cater Allen...no probs in 6 years

[SueEllen]

HSBC have served me well but they do insist on charging if you want monthly paper statements which I thought was a bit of a cheek.

Why do you want monthly paper statements?

You can just download the online ones if you want to check your account monthly, and then file the paper ones away when you get them in the post.

My life is over run with bl**dy paper. Every time I shred a load I find more I have to shred and I had to buy an industrial shredder to deal with it.

QUOTE=bellymonster;1250073]
They also fobbed me off with a charge card, free for first year, but £25 there after when they could have told me to just apply for a debit card.
[/quote]
Had no problem getting a debit card. At the moment having a problem with getting a new CC out of them but will be sorted out soon.

[norrahe]

Again Cater Allen, never had a problem.

[bellymonster]

HSBC have served me well but they do insist on charging if you want monthly paper statements which I thought was a bit of a cheek.

Also came in handy when trying to get a mortgage with First Direct. The advisor was able to have a sneak at my business account, saw there was plenty of dosh going in and approved the mortgae there and then.
Saved a lot of hassle of providing 3 years accounts etc.

They also fobbed me off with a charge card, free for first year, but £25 there after when they could have told me to just apply for a debit card.

So, in summary a couple of problems but on the whole very satisfied.

[2BIT]

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.

yup whilst they are great for my mortgage they cocked up a new bank account royally - I ended up complaining and getting £50 back but I would not believe the hype the santander sales bod gives you

[Mr.Whippy]

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

Even with a massive warchest, the interest is pitiful.

I'm with Cater Allen, no complaints (or fees) here.

[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.

[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