Safe to move to alliance-leicester ?

[Archangel]

Yeah but with BoS , you are being charged for transactions http://www.bankofscotlandbusiness.co...fo/charges.asp

Sorry, I was talking deposit account only.

[Likely]

Maybe not worrying, but companies that take over others in order to acquire their network, or just to eliminate them as competition, often do not feel inclined to keep the victim's products as they are.

Ex 1. Woolwich current and savings accounts both allowed ATM withdrawals, on the same card (choice of account). Taken over by Barclays. Savings accounts now withdrawal in branch only.
Ex 2. (not bank, but same principle). Bauknecht made white goods with a neat (IMO) Germanic style. Taken over by Philips. Bauknecht product range now just like Philips.

So..... A&L offer good rates. Taken over by Santander. ... expect A&L products to be available still, but to resemble Santander products. How are their rates?

You are right. Santander is Abbey , which is tulipty at the moment but most are these days..

[expat]

I want to move to them because they seem to offer the best rates..... Surely being taken over by Santander should not be worrying ... besides possible operational / organisational woes later when they consolidate with Abbey ...

Maybe not worrying, but companies that take over others in order to acquire their network, or just to eliminate them as competition, often do not feel inclined to keep the victim's products as they are.

Ex 1. Woolwich current and savings accounts both allowed ATM withdrawals, on the same card (choice of account). Taken over by Barclays. Savings accounts now withdrawal in branch only.
Ex 2. (not bank, but same principle). Bauknecht made white goods with a neat (IMO) Germanic style. Taken over by Philips. Bauknecht product range now just like Philips.

So..... A&L offer good rates. Taken over by Santander. ... expect A&L products to be available still, but to resemble Santander products. How are their rates?

[Likely]

Bank of Scotland Business offer a better deposit rate (currently 5.25%)
I think Northern Rock offer a better rate, but the account is postal.

The first 35k (per institution) is protected anyway for individuals and small companies

HTH

Yeah but with BoS , you are being charged for transactions http://www.bankofscotlandbusiness.co...fo/charges.asp

[Archangel]

I want to move to them because they seem to offer the best rates..... Surely ...

Bank of Scotland Business offer a better deposit rate (currently 5.25%)
I think Northern Rock offer a better rate, but the account is postal.

The first 35k (per institution) is protected anyway for individuals and small companies

HTH

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I want to move to them because they seem to offer the best rates..... Surely being taken over by Santander should not be worrying ... besides possible operational / organisational woes later when they consolidate with Abbey ...

What are you considering moving? Savings or bank account or both?

[Likely]

Profitable in the sense they can sack the backoffice as they already own Abbey.
I think government guarantees 30k or so now.
Bradford & Bingley offer a good rate too

Bradford & Bingley were in the news recently ... and we know what the news is these days...

[ace00]

Surely you buy a business that has profitable prospects though?

Profitable in the sense they can sack the backoffice as they already own Abbey.
I think government guarantees 30k or so now.
Bradford & Bingley offer a good rate too

[oracleslave]

Not true , you normally don't sell business that has profitable prospects ... but then Santander should be good enough to grant stability..

Surely you buy a business that has profitable prospects though?

[Likely]

Can't see any risk in moving to them. The takeover is a vote of confidence in them by Santander as I see it.

I could be completely wrong though...

Not true , you normally don't sell business that has profitable prospects ... but then Santander should be good enough to grant stability..

[oracleslave]

I want to move to them because they seem to offer the best rates..... Surely being taken over by Santander should not be worrying ... besides possible operational / organisational woes later when they consolidate with Abbey ...

Can't see any risk in moving to them. The takeover is a vote of confidence in them by Santander as I see it.

I could be completely wrong though...

[Likely]

I want to move to them because they seem to offer the best rates..... Surely being taken over by Santander should not be worrying ... besides possible operational / organisational woes later when they consolidate with Abbey ...