Opening a Bank Account

Advantages: Efficient online services, prompt response, courteous staff
Disadvantages: None so far

...reviews about some of them on this forum. May be it was just not my day. So, to be fair they would remain anonymous. This piece is really about opening a bank account with Nationwide....

myexcellency2 22.04.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Nationwide Building Society Accounts

Eggs...check, milk...check, bank account...?

Advantages: Simple to use, set up, 24 hour service.
Disadvantages: £250 maximum withdrawal, no branches.

...I don?t want to sound old at twenty-four but I remember the days when a trip to the supermarket was to buy bread, milk, butter and eggs but now it seems that you can buy everything from clothes, televisions, computers and even financial services. If you?d ever told me ten years ago that I?d start banking with a supermarket I?d have laughed all the way to the fruit and veg aisle ? it just wouldn?t have happened. Yet roll on 2003 and I am the owner of an Instant Access Savings Account at Sainsbury?s Bank. The reason I signed up to this bank is that (as those of you who have read my other reviews might recall) I have had a few problems with banks of late and have been in the process of moving my accounts around. The Sainsbury?s account is one for my savings, for holidays and the like, just to keep it separate from my monthly outgoings...

Benniash 12.08.2003 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Sainsburys Bank Accounts

The One Account

Advantages: Paying off your mortgage quickly and saving you thousands of pounds
Disadvantages: You need a lot of common sense and future vision to benefit from this account

...money?.or do you have savings??? Quite simply, if you have £10,000 of savings in the bank that you like to have access to but save it and don't spend it, then you will technically make more money by paying it off your mortgage and reducing your interest than having it sat in a bank account. The Halifax etc brag about 5% interest on current accounts which in a normal world is very good, yet I get 6.5% on my savings TAX FREE as it is held in the form of a debt. I still have access to it as I please and when I want. I simply call the One Account and arrange to pick it up at my local Royal Bank of Scotland. As for the common sense approach to this account. You can take payment breaks when you like, take more money out on your house and buy a car, holiday or home improvements, as long as you pay the interest the One Account are happy. But I...

gazereth 15.05.2008 (28.10.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Royal Bank of Scotland Accounts

Co-op Basic Bank Account - Poor to Bankrupt Credit History

Advantages: everything you need to function normally in a financially dependant society
Disadvantages: none

...For a debt riddled society and banking systems that have been quite happy to fuel such a situation I can honestly say that the Co-op basic bank account is definitely one for those who would like to be in complete control of their money i.e those who do not want to or can not live on bank credit. Most people are accepted including bankrupts POSITIVES No annual charges (the account is free), Visa electron card shop online & instore as well as withdraw cash at atms, pay money in via post, post office, at branches, set up direct debits & pay bills online, internet banking, great customer service, wages & benefits can be paid straight into account. Easy to apply online/phone/writing & quick set up time. BEWARE please note banking is free however if you do set up a direct debit for instance and the bank refuses to pay it due to...

dragonsurge 11.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Co-operative Bank Accounts

Barclays Personal & Business Bank Accounts

Advantages: Efficient, Good Variety of products, Best offered Cash ISA 2 years running
Disadvantages: Try and sell you products that are not always beneficial to you.

...Although I have read a lot of negative reviews on Barclays - I personally have never had an issue or any problems with then that Barclays haven't dealt with in a professional manner. *I have both personal & business bank accounts with them. *I rarely have ever needed to go into branch unless I'm paying in cheques. *I bank on-line and in comparison with Lloyd's bank find Barclays on-line banking facilities meet all my needs. *Telephone banking is always efficient and I feel I get what I need done with ease. I dont recall waiting times but cant be too long for me to not recall. Yes sure all companies will try and promote their products to you in order to sell you something - But its down to you as a person to assess the pros and cons of a product. Its always in your best interest to choose the correct products for you and they...

BTreyo 18.04.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Barclays Bank Accounts

The savings account to have right now

Advantages: Excellent Interest Rate
Disadvantages: Website is not the most user-friendly

...another email stating that the account opening process had been initiated and an further email will be sent to confirm when the account had become activated. that email arrived the following detail giving details of my new account number, sort code and login id. The email also advises that the password(passcode) will be sent in the post shortly afterwards. This password took another 2 working days after receipt of the final email. Once you've got all your login details and received your password through the post, you are ready to go. The actual ICICI website is rather basic, and not the most user friendly banking website I've seen. This doesn't mean its not secure, its just that having used internet banking for many years now, the navigation round the ICICI account is not as intuitive as it could be. However the links are all there to view...

jp7541 27.08.2007 (16.08.2007) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Icici Bank Accounts

Bank of Scotland for Students

Advantages: Biggest overdraft, branches are plentiful, great service
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...system you come out of the ordeal slightly happier than you were before - quite impressive for telephone banking I must say! Branches are plentiful (especially in Scotland), there are more branches of the Bank of Scotland in small towns than any other bank (in my experience) - Its the only bank on my University Campus (the University of Aberdeen), I wish I could say the adverts were good - but really I can't. They are irritating and degrading to its existing customers - not a reason to not go with them... but needs mentioned I feel. Interest Rates - nothing special here, I get 2.5% on my Student Current Account. Recently I saw an advert for 6.3% on desposits over £100,000 - not exactly applicable to me..but maybe it is to you. Overdrafts (Students) - Here are the overdrafts for the main banks, with any worthwile gifts Bank...

Diablo666 08.03.2008 (12.08.2008) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Bank of Scotland Accounts

Barclays Additions Plus Account

Advantages: Many, Including domestic and vehicle cover
Disadvantages: a bit difficult to access customer care from overseas

...Anybody was says barclays bank is not the best please check again. There customer service in my branch and online is excellent, i am sure that other branches must be somewhat the same or very close. My review is however not about the above which I must state again is excellent, it is however, about a specific account. Barclays Additions Plus http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?site=pfs&tas k=homefreegroup&value=12857 I started out with an normal Barclays account which served its purpose at the time. I came across the Barclays Plus account by speaking to an in branch adviser and immediately realized it was the one for me I have not looked back since. The benefits I am now receiving through the Barclays Plus account are phenomenal. Listen, I get family travel insurance (Even including multi...

gary345 12.10.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Barclays Bank Accounts

Choosing and Using student bank accounts

Advantages: Free overdraft facility, free gifts.
Disadvantages: Very low interest rates.

...interest account reasonably inaccessible e.g. you can only access the money with a paying in book during opening hours – not a hole in the wall. That way it will be harder to get your money so will make you think about spending it more. You could also then only take out of it each month the amount of your student loan you have allocated you can spend. (To do this you could divide the amount you get by the number of months until you get the next installment.) 4) Get all that is due to you. While you are a student you do not need to pay tax on your interest. When you open a bank/building society account make sure you fill in the slip to say that you are in full-time education and therefore do not need to pay tax....

student9824 27.02.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Member Advice on Student bank accounts

COFFEE WITH YOUR CURRENT ACCOUNT MADAM

Advantages: Pleasant local staff
Disadvantages: Too big, too impersonal and uncaring

...I'm sure you'll all know the feeling. You have been with your current bank for so long that you can't be bothered to move elsewhere. It would be such a bother moving over all your bills and informing people of the change etc., etc., well this is exactly how I felt for many years, but now let me tell you an incredible story and you can decide whether or not you want to take heed of my warning. My account with Barclays Bank was opened way back in the early 70s when I was saving to get married. I remained with the Central Liverpool Branch because it was next door to my place of work and I continued saving until I became pregnant. By this time I had accumulated a small nest egg (or so I thought) which I could use to purchase a pram, cot, baby clothes etc., Nearing the end of my pregnancy, I felt secure enough to purchase...

ANNJSEC 19.02.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Barclays Bank Accounts