Opening a bank account?

[gregorach]

Another happy smile customer here - I get better interest on my smile current account than I used to get on my ISA! Plus they (and their parent, the Co-Op) are about the best there is from an ethical point of view.

 

[Rebel]

steer clear of Lloyds or any of the traditional high street banks imo. i have heard that the internet banks are decent (smile, first direct etc). have alos heard that the co op bank is good (in fact have just set up a savings account for Gracie with them) and they are into fair trade and the environment.

i think we will all be interested from your findings Chris, so keep us up to date!

I agree that Lloyds are awful. I had an account with TSB for years and was happy with them after Barclays messed me about (so I closed my accounts), but then they merged with Lloyds and it was all downhill from there. I won't mention the amount of screw ups and messing about they've given me since they merged.

Presently I have two Egg accounts and two First Direct accounts. I joined Egg when they first started and I've had no trouble. I also joined First Direct when they were only a Phone Bank and I've only had one or two minor problems that were resolved fairly quickly.

I've generally found that, for me, opening Internet accounts is less painful than High Street accounts. I've had accounts with two Internet only banks that closed down but I was fully refunded.

 

[bloodline]

co-op are ethical and the current account i have is totally free if you stay in credit but like all money lenders they try and lend you money you cant afford to pay back

 

[Great Pebble]

And are you able to get around it?

I wouldn't have thought it possible.

We eventually persuaded a local bank to allow our customers to open an account which allowed only for depositing, either electronic or over the counter and withdrawl, over the counter subject to a daily limit. No cards, no cheque books, no DD facility... nothing.

Still required photo ID and an address for all concerned though.