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
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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
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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
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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
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Review of Barclays Bank Accounts

The Swiss Bank Account of the Internet Age

Advantages: Easy to use, low risk, no frozen accounts
Disadvantages: Transaction fees, security

...Commerce is increasingly moving onto the internet, and for clear reasons: the internet creates a level playing field for sellers from all around the world, encouraging increased competition and consumer choice. Naturally, online commerce requires an efficient way of transferring money internationally: if you want to make a $5 payment for which your bank charges a processing fee of $50, you are unlikely to go through with the deal, no matter how good it is. To answer this demand, a number of online payment services have cropped up in the recent years. The most widely used one is Paypal, which however has a reputation for bad customer service and freezing client accounts for dubious reasons. Contenders include Stormpay, Moneybookers, Evocash, and e-gold. Unlike most of these payment services, which generally operate in major currencies...

dead.letter 03.08.2003 · Read review
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Review of e-gold

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
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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
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Review of Barclays Bank Accounts

The savings account to have right now

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

...Having become a disgruntled ING Direct customer (I reviewed their savings account a few weeks back), I decided to move my savings to ICICI's HiSave account as they are now offering one of the top instant access savings accounts available in this country. Their current promise is that their gross rate of interest will be 0.25% higher than the Bank of England base rate until the end of 2007. Although ICICI are an Indian bank, this particular account is handled by their UK operation (ICICI Bank UK PLC) and thus is authorised and regulated by the FSA. It is also a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which I believe means that under the Financial Servies and Market Act of 2000 that if for some reason they were unable to repay the funds in your acocunt (in the unlikely event they went bust for example) you are able to...

jp7541 27.08.2007 (16.08.2007) · Read review
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Review of Icici 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
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Review of Barclays Bank Accounts

A good bank account

Advantages: Very large range of products, friendly staff
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...I opened a Midland (well it was then!) account when I started university 7 years ago, simply because they didn't fob you off with vouchers or a crappy walkman - they simply gave you £25. I'm easy to bribe you see ;o) Opening the student account was very easy, and in seven years I've not had a problem with the accuracy of statements or anything else for that matter (well, a new chequebook was late arriving once). When I graduated the account changed over automatically to a Graduate account (how do they think of these names?!), which had a £1000 interest free overdraft facility, so as to ease you out of student life! I find that cheques clear into my account very quickly, either from other HSBC accounts or those from other banks or building societies. Whenever I've telephoned the branch (well - it's a central service centre) they...

TantJane 22.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of HSBC Accounts