Reply to: Barclays business banking... these £5.50 monthly charges ... and PCG

[malvolio]

Go HSBC. Does what it says on the tin.

[Crack Addick]

Looks like Santander have dropped the free business banking for ever angle. Now it's only free for 12 months, after which you have 3 tariffs (£7.50-£20 p/m) to choose from.

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Sate...COM_TemplateW2

[SueEllen]

I've been with Santander for for donkey's years. I have a personal account with them so my transfers are instantaneous (sic) after a quick phone call.

If I wasn't with Santander I would be with Carter Allen. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

If your personal account(s) has (have ) faster payments then it shouldn't be a hassle moving money around instantaneously over the internet from your business account.

Since the introduction of Faster Payments unless the banks are sh*t the money transfers within the hour if you do it online. If the bank can't do it they should warn you before you confirm the transaction.

[MarillionFan]

Move banks every few years.

Sorted.

[strawberrysmoothie]

I've been with Santander for for donkey's years. I have a personal account with them so my transfers are instantaneous (sic) after a quick phone call.

If I wasn't with Santander I would be with Carter Allen. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

[stek]

Thumbs up for Cater Allen from to, it's kinda of a bank that doesn't exist, a sort of AS/400 bank, needs little supervision...

100% happy...

[Waldorf]

I would add my vote for Cater Allen.

Actually I had a letter from them today saying that they were moving to 'instant' transfers (I think that was the word they used), in the new year, I have thrown it though as it doesn't really concern me, I rarely leave transfers so late to worry about a few days.

[SueEllen]

And when you call Barclays you need to put on a thick subcontinental accent just to make yourself understood.

That definitely doesn't work.

I've overheard some people from the subcontinent on the phone doing some banking enquires.

Needless to say my conclusion from their increased frustration, asking what their mother tongue was and them slamming the phone down is that regardless of where you are from some call centres are delibrately tulip.

[darrenb]

I've never had any issues with Cater Allen bank. Their call centre staff are v.well spoken. I have to up my accent when I call them.

And when you call Barclays you need to put on a thick subcontinental accent just to make yourself understood.

[Contractor UK]

Link for Cater Allen: Free bank account

[Wobblyheed]

How fast are transfers from Cater Allen to other banks? If I were to leave my personal a/c with Barclays and pay my salary from Cater, would I have to wait 3 - 5 days for the cash to transfer?

Barclays are OK for me generally; it's just their charges that I find most annoying... oh and the virtually non-existent interest on my cash balance.

I'm with Cater Allen and the 3 working days does irk somewhat. Does anyone know if the 3 working days still applies if transferring to a Santander Personal Current account (since Cater Allen are part of Santander)?

[bless 'em all]

How fast are transfers from Cater Allen to other banks? If I were to leave my personal a/c with Barclays and pay my salary from Cater, would I have to wait 3 - 5 days for the cash to transfer?

Day 1 : Initiate external transfer of funds.
Day 2 : Money disappears into the ether.
Day 3 : Pops up in personal account.

I've never had any issues with Cater Allen bank. Their call centre staff are v.well spoken. I have to up my accent when I call them.

[craig1]

How fast are transfers from Cater Allen to other banks? If I were to leave my personal a/c with Barclays and pay my salary from Cater, would I have to wait 3 - 5 days for the cash to transfer?

Barclays are OK for me generally; it's just their charges that I find most annoying... oh and the virtually non-existent interest on my cash balance.

I remember someone telling me last year that Cater Allen hadn't implemented Faster Payments yet, maybe they have now. That's what you need to know if you need same-day transfers for free. Most other banks have.

[ChimpMaster]

Barclays are the most rubbish bank I know, and that's saying a lot. Move to Cater Allen.

Contractors sometimes start out with Barclays as it seems to easy to get into. Then they move up when they get wise.

How fast are transfers from Cater Allen to other banks? If I were to leave my personal a/c with Barclays and pay my salary from Cater, would I have to wait 3 - 5 days for the cash to transfer?

Barclays are OK for me generally; it's just their charges that I find most annoying... oh and the virtually non-existent interest on my cash balance.

[darrenb]

Yes it's only £5.50 a month, or £66 a year, but these 'account fees' that Barclays charge me are bloody annoying.

Alternatively I'll just move to another business account provider. Yes it is a bit of hassle but I just find it so frustrating that Barclays are such c**ks.

Barclays are the most rubbish bank I know, and that's saying a lot. Move to Cater Allen.

Contractors sometimes start out with Barclays as it seems to easy to get into. Then they move up when they get wise.