Nine UK banks launch fee-free accounts

[LOMBOK]

Just been reading this on BBC news about banks launching new basic accounts. I have basics with some of these banks already. It says that all these accounts will have a debit card, which the Santander basic account I already have does not. It just comes with a cash card to get money from the ATM.

Banks offering fee-free accounts

Bank/building society Account name

Barclays Barclays Basic Current Account
Santander Basic Current Account
NatWest Foundation Account
Ulster Bank Foundation Account
Royal Bank of Scotland (Scotland) Foundation Account
RBS England and Wales Basic Account
HSBC Basic Bank Account
Nationwide FlexBasic
Co-operative Bank Cashminder
Lloyds/ Halifax/ Bank of Scotland Basic Account
TSB Cash Account
Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks Readycash Account
source: HM Treasury

BBC Link :

Might help those struggling to find suitable banks and accounts.

[JamesNorth101]

Great list!

Only bank there to avoid would be Lloyds. Rest are really solid banks

[Callidus]

I still wouldn't go near Halifax if I were you

[realdeals]

Originally Posted by Callidus

I still wouldn't go near Halifax if I were you

Always makes me 'LOL' when you and steviebills say this. Think you should look at your methods rather than have a bitch at Halifax as I think you will find they were the source of your troubles. Although I understand why an account seller would rather blame a bank than admit to their own faults and mistakes.

[taerese]

Originally Posted by realdeals

Always makes me 'LOL' when you and steviebills say this. Think you should look at your methods rather than have a bitch at Halifax as I think you will find they were the source of your troubles. Although I understand why an account seller would rather blame a bank than admit to their own faults and mistakes.

I remember this argument sometimes ago and cause of it, I had to ask around before adding Halifax. Truth to what @steviebills and @callidus said though, I got pulled by Halifax after my second or third withdrawal, it was a big withdrawal from PP and it was instantly cancelled and returned to PayPal. I called halifax and they said we should not withdraw money like this into the savings account that it will be fine with the current account. I changed the account to halifax current and withdrew the fund again, same day and everything was fine. Its been more than 3 months now with no issue with the mis matched halifax current account.

Till today, I still have this thought ringing in my head, every time I want to withdraw

[realdeals]

This is why I said you should look at your methods rather than blame halifax. You shouldn't be making 'big' withdrawals and certainly not in just the second or third time of use. Of course it all depends on what you call big, but I much prefer 'little' and often.

[LOMBOK]

I have just been having a look at the Santander basic account they have on their website now. It says that it comes with a top-up visa debit card and a cash card. You would need to top-up the card from your basic account to use it. Could be useful for use on AMA?
You can use the cash card to just get money out from the ATM.

I am having some doubts about Halifax savers. I have been going through all my EB/PP accounts both good and bad to see if there is any link between them staying open or closed and can see that the Halifax savers have not been very successful. It may be coincidence as I need further investigation into it to see if there has been anything else that could have triggered the suspension/limitation of these accounts.

[LOMBOK]

I have just applied online for the Santander basic account and it has been accepted. I have to wait a week for the two letters with the temporary password and temporary security number before I can use the online banking. All I have at the moment is the ID ready to log in. No account number either.

When I use Natwest, everything is supplied straightaway apart from the debit card and PIN.

[Underhand]

Problems with Halifax? I had a problem with one account once but i think that was paypal more than halifax they just rejected it. I can't remember specifically what it was, maybe because it was a fixed online saver. But I have an instant saver with halifax and it has served me brilliant *** touch wood***

[Callidus]

Realdeals - the whole account seller admitting something is their fault and to look at my methods bullsh1t you seem to keep coming out with is very boring.

My methods are more than fine, thanks. If only you knew half of them you may be more successful. Merry Christmas.

[realdeals]

Originally Posted by Callidus

Realdeals - the whole account seller admitting something is their fault and to look at my methods bullsh1t you seem to keep coming out with is very boring.

My methods are more than fine, thanks. If only you knew half of them you may be more successful. Merry Christmas.

Obviously not.

Automatically presuming you know more than me is also amusing, when no evidence to back it up. Still, keep going.

[Haidukken]

[vela1987]

Does any of the bank support for NON UK people ?

[LOMBOK]

On the applications I have made online it does ask for your Nationality and your country of residence. You will need to either go into a branch or send them some docs if you don't already have an account with them though.

My wife is Chinese and she has had no problem opening accounts with Barclays, Natwest, Santander, TSB, Nationwide, Halifax, HSBC and Lloyds. You do have to visit the branch with your passport and proof of address.

So, as long as you are a UK resident, you should be ok.

[Ebayisbad]

Very useful info, thanks.

[LOMBOK]

I have had a look at the Natwest site and it says that the basic account will only be offered IF you do not qualify for any of their other accounts. Maybe they are tightening things up. I have not tried to open another yet as I need to wait a couple of more months.

The new Santander Basic account I applied for online and was accepted for comes with a cash card AND a top up debit card. When checking the online banking the top up card has a different account number to the basic account. It only says that money can be transferred to it from your Santander account.

Has anybody tried to top up from different account? I have not tried as I have not had the card yet, only the cash card. When it arrives, I will try a small payment to it from a different bank.

[Ebayisbad]

I've just opened one right now online and they gave me sort code and account number straight after registration

[LOMBOK]

RE the Santander Basic Account.

I have everything now. The top-up debit card arrived.

Just to recap. The basic account has a sort code and account number and comes with a cash card to use at the ATM. It also has a top-up debit card. This top-up card has a sort code and a DIFFERENT account number. The Santander website says you transfer money to it from your account and you can also transfer money back. My thought was that if it has a different account number can I make a payment into it from a different account. So I tried making a small payment from Natwest directly into the top-up card account number. It worked perfectly and shows immediately on the online banking.

I have not added this to a paypal yet, but see no reason why it will not work.

So by opening ONE basic bank account, you get TWO account numbers that will both accept payments!

Next step is to try it with PP. I will try later tonight and report back.

[RosieTosie]

I have Santander current account and it works perfectly with mismatched names etc., also online transfer from other banks with no hassles transfers instantly.

[LOMBOK]

I had a Santander on a stealth account when I first started out and had no problems with mismatching names.

The thing with this new basic account they are doing is it gives you an account number for the basic account, but when I went to the online banking I saw that the top-up debit card that comes with it has a different account number. This is why I have made a bank payment direct to the top-up card from a different bank to see if it would accept it. It worked instantly. So this account MIGHT be able to be utilised for use with two different PP accounts. If this the case, then it's good news.

I shall try it with a new PP tonight when I get home.

[sax4]

Finally, UK banking system coming kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I remember years ago when the bank wouldn't give me a Visa card because of my credit rating, yet I opened an account overseas and had no such problems.

[mao]