Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

[Amethyst]

We're after some case studies of good or bad experiences of switching personal current accounts between banks.

Is the information provided good, did you sort everything out yourself or use your banks switching service, would you switch again. what problems did you have? how could switching be improved, why did you chose to switch banks, how do you find the information available in comparing banks helpful or non helpful ?

We would really like as much information as possible and we hope to use a couple of case studies in our PCA report for the OFT.

Many thanks

Ame
xx

[Tools]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

bump

[natweststaffmember]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

what is the deadline for submission of the OFT PCA report?

[pinknico]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

I switched from Natwest to Alliance and Leiceister and used their switch service for direct debits and standing orders, but switched wages paid in myself.
I changed because of the interest free over draft for a year.
It was very easy and they kept me informed by letter about what was happening.

[Amethyst]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

what is the deadline for submission of the OFT PCA report?

31st Oct but we have an extension

[natweststaffmember]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

31st Oct but we have an extension

Not what you know but who you know, eh?

[Happyolddog]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

I switched from Natwest to Alliance and Leiceister and used their switch service for direct debits and standing orders, but switched wages paid in myself.
I changed because of the interest free over draft for a year.
It was very easy and they kept me informed by letter about what was happening.

I did the same as pinknico, I switched from Halifax to Alliance and Leicester. They did all of the switching and I got free overdraft for 12 months, which as soon as it was over; I called them and said I would switch again, they offered another 12 months free overdraft, so I will stick with them for now.

[grimbell]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

Hi

In 2006 I switched from Smile to HSBC (basic account). I let HSBC do the necessary but unfortunately communications between them and Smile failed and the agreed date for everything to be switched passed TWICE without it happening.

I ended up spending much time at HSBC trying to get it sorted as things were not being paid. They allowed for some but if I remember correctly one thing failed and went against me so that when 2 other things failed at a later date (a few months later) they promptly closed the account!

I don't think I have any paper work left from this episode unfortunately.

[Emerald]

Re: Switched accounts lately ? How was it for you?

I switched from Nat West to HSBC and used their switching service.
They were very good and nothing was missed, I assume though that part of that would be NW's promptness in supplying the info. They also supplied details of a loan i had with NW and it was paid from HSBC.
My overdraft limit with NW was £6900 (and still is on a unused account), HSBC could only offer £905 interest free for 1 month.
Contacted employer myself, got paid into wrong bank account, promptly recalled and a cheque resent. Contacted tax credits and the change was made within 5 days and child benefit was also very quick.
Had problems trying to open an internet saver linked to my account as the computer kept saying no.
They offered on account opening a 12 month interest free balance transfer credit card but withdrew it before issue.

However I still prefer Natwest, internet banking and customer phone service, but my stubborness with an old disagreement with a member of staff who refused to apologise will not let me back down and bank there again. I had previously banked with them for over 20 years.