zurichbank.co.uk

Advantages: Pays good rates of interest with little capital in account
Disadvantages: haven't really come across any as yet

Some weeks ago I received a letter through the post, which I dismissed as a circular. It was left lying around on the work surface in my kitchen atop of the mountain of junk mail I receive every week. Whilst ‘doing my bit’ for the environment some days later (my recycle wheelie bin was due for collection) I decided I would have a blitz and attempt to conquer this pile of junk. I slowly rummaged my way through this rain forest that had ...
...this letter. I don’t know why I opened it – but for some reason my sub conscious was telling me not to ignore it. It read: ‘Dear Miss Clarkson, As an existing Zurich customer, I’m delighted to tell you about a new, more rewarding way of banking…… Earn 35 times more interest than the big four banks now. Etc…etc…etc.’ How can this be? I was totally baffled. Now, don’t assume that I mean ... Read review

Advantages: Guaranteed interest for the life of the account
Disadvantages: Internet only

*****From the 4th September - Only 9 months after the offical launch Zurich Bank has decided to withdraw it's online bank, much to the disapointment of many customers who enjoyed the interest guarantee and easy navigation of the site and great customer service support. The company has decided to focus itself round the Life and General business where the majority of the customers, staff and shareholders are. If you have Zurich shares you will see ...
...have got a new guy in at the top and he proposes massive changes. The bank will close, customers can use their accounts as normal untill April 2003. As a goodwill gesture all customers will receive 5% of their cleared balance at the close of business on the 4th or £200 which ever is the greater. A real shame, over 250 jobs will go and 40,000 customers aquired over the past 9 months will have to find a bank else where***** Zurich has just launched ... Read review

Advantages: Online
Disadvantages: None

I have just opened a online account with zurichbank.co.uk. and it was so easy. Having been put off by all the paper work needed to open a high street account this was so simple. The online form took about ten minutes to complete, nothing too hard, and only one question I had to look up. They offer all the normal banking services, plus good interst on your account balance. However they have no high street branches, so you have to pay-in at other ... Read review

Advantages: good interest rates, v.good customer service
Disadvantages: closing down soon

I joined up to Zurich after reading in the papers about the high interest rates it gave on accounts, and the fact that there was no minimum balance required. It was easy to join and I received the usual cheque book, card and paying book, along with some freepost envelopes. I did not even have to pay to send money to them. It has been going swimmingly but as they say, all good things have to come to an end, I received an e-mail to say that it was ...
...going to send me a cheque for £200, just for banking with them! I have since received updates both by e-mail and by post, keeping me informed of what is happening. They will even be helping me to open another 'online' account with another provider. As I said, what a shame.. ... Read review

Advantages: NONE
Disadvantages: JUST CLOSED DOWN

This was a wonderful service but , as of 4th September is being closed down. Still, if you had the account open they are going to give you £200 (and you still qualify for the free wine, even if you haven't got the £500 in the account). The money doesn't arrive until Spring 2003 though. They are going to be sending out more info at the end of Sept. about transferring accounts to Intelligent Finance (HBOS) if the account holder wants to. What a ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to use Website, Good Interest Rate
Disadvantages: Only online statement provided

...Applied for my new smile visa card shortly after moving my banking to smile from zurichbank.co.uk . Smile processed the application VERY quickly, in fact I had the card in my hands within a week. At the time, an interest free period of 6m was applicable to any balance transfer you made from other credit cards, however I think this offer has now expired. In order to take full advantage of the interest free period I requested an immediate increase in the credit limit on my new card - I had to provide copy bank statements from my previous bankers - this took them a while to process but they agreed to my request and I transferred a large balance on another card and immediately started saving money. Theere is a good standard rate after the interest free period too and NO ANNUAL FEE (I hate fees and refuse to pay them!)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful