About me:Well tropical aquaria now 8 and rising. Hope to have more time to read, and hopefully write soon, a...
Member since:16.08.2003
Reviews:40
Members who trust:6
Review rated by 7 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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Having tried a number of the high street banks, I swopped to Alliance and Leicest Premier Account three years ago,(the premier account does need a minimum £500 monthly payment into the account) I also set up a savings account at the same time. They currently offer £25 on opening an account online, and 2.12% AER credit interest rate plus a 0%AER on overdrawn accounts up to a limit of £2500.
The Premier account gives both a cheque book and 3 in oneVisadebit card, with £100 cheque guarantee facility and ability to withdraw cash from both cash machines and now the Post Office.
Options with the Premier account include 24 hour telephone enquiries, either a simple automated balance or transfer, or the option of speaking to a customer adviser. Yes there is the usual option 1,2, 3 etc. which can be tedious, but can also be time saving if the query is simply for an instant balance. There are security questions to ensure account details are not divulged to others, and uses both a password and secret question. I have telephoned at all hours both day and night - memorably I once forgot to pay a bill, and telephoned at 1.15 a.m. and was still treated to the same courteous service that I have come to expect.
I have used their online banking facility since it began in 2002. Online banking is simple to set up, after you make the initial application, an ID number and PIN is sent to you to access the site - you are asked to set up a new PIN number for added security.
Once on the site, you can see a detailed statement, pay bills and transfer money, set up view, or cancel standing orders, view or cancel direct debits and order cheque books foreign currency or travellers cheques. Again, when making any transfer, you are required to give information about your password for security purposes. It is also easy to transfer spare cash from the current to savings account, although there is interest paid on I use the site to keep track of both my current and savings accounts, it enables me to track payments into and out of my account at my convenience rather than having to wait for my statement to arrive and allows me to transfer between accounts easily. I find the site easy to navigate, it would be easy to use, even by someone who had a basic knowledge of internet use.
I have had very few instances of bad service from this bank, I had to chase up a cheque book request, but again this was quickly resolved. Occasionally payments seem to take longer than I think they should, however I think this is due to general banking slowness, rather than inefficiency.
I would certainly recommend Alliance and Leicester, particularly for someone like myself who works full time, lives miles from the nearest town and needs a bank that is accessible when I need it rather than during normal banking hours. It is accessible to both phone and internet users and visitors to local branches where money can also be paid in and withdrawn.
I bank with Halifax at the moment, I've been having heaps of problems with them though just recently. For some reason, there computer system seems to keep changing my D.O.B.!!! I shall have to check out the Alliance and Leicester. Great op! Ciao for now - J
14.11.2003 20:26
I bank with Halifax at the moment, I've been having heaps of problems with them though just recently. For some reason, there computer system seems to keep changing my D.O.B.!!! I shall have to check out the Alliance and Leicester. Great op! Ciao for now - J
30.10.2003 23:15
The kids accounts are with Alliance and Leicester and it's one of the best childrens savings accounts around I think. :o) Excellent op. Chris x