[BasilRathbon]

See this thread for the reason why I'm looking for a new account.

All I want is one where I can have my monthly salary paid in and various standing orders (mortgage, council tax, etc) taken out, but most importantly I want to be able to deal with my bank face to face in my local branch with staff who know what they're talking about. I don't want any dealings with imcompetent, badly-trained call centre staff, nor do i trust the security of any form of online account. I suppose a reasonable rate of interest would be nice as well.

[country_girl]

I have a Halifax Current Account and even though I do have online bankng I do also go into my local branch. It may be a daft question but is a standiing order the same as a direct debit? I cancel direct debits all the time by going in they delete them and show me the screen to prove that it has gone.

[ASPGuru]

Originally Posted by country_girl

I have a Halifax Current Account and even though I do have online bankng I do also go into my local branch. It may be a daft question but is a standiing order the same as a direct debit? I cancel direct debits all the time by going in they delete them and show me the screen to prove that it has gone.

No, they are different.

A standing order is a fixed amount that is 'pushed' from your account to the destination account.

A direct debit is where you agree to allow someone else to 'pull' money direct from your account. The amount is NOT pre-set and fixed, but the rules have it that the recipient has to tell you in advance what they will be taking, thus giving you a chance to object/cancel.

[loobylala]

When you find a good bank - please please let me know as Yorkshire bank are the worst ever all the manager does is argue every thing i ask for - but at least the contact centre is in the UK - thats about the only thing going for Yorkshire bank

[never wrong]

for a basic account they are all very much the same

[MysTique]

I've had the same current bank account for over 20 years (different savings accounts) but get absolutely nothing in return for my loyalty to that bank.

I too am looking to change banks - am thinking about the Halifax online but wondered how easy it is to change. I have loads of Direct Debits / Standing Orders etc and it just seems like an administrative nightmare! I know some banks have a 'dedicated team' to do the switchover and an overdraft for a couple of months just in case, but how easy is it really?

Sorry if this hijacks your thread Basil, just thought it was related.

[torin8]

Apparently the alliance and leicester premier current account won the award last year - anyone any experience of this as I'm thinking of changing too...

[Green Web]

Originally Posted by BasilRathbon

See this thread for the reason why I'm looking for a new account.

All I want is one where I can have my monthly salary paid in and various standing orders (mortgage, council tax, etc) taken out, but most importantly I want to be able to deal with my bank face to face in my local branch with staff who know what they're talking about. I don't want any dealings with imcompetent, badly-trained call centre staff, nor do i trust the security of any form of online account. I suppose a reasonable rate of interest would be nice as well.

I use NatWest and have never had any problems doing any of what you want to do.

[Greybeard]

Haven't been inside a bank for twenty-five years. In 1981 I switched from National Westminster to National Girobank which was subsequently taken over by Alliance and Leicester.

I can do practically everything I need on-line, (or by 'phone) except deposit cheques which has to be done by post and deposit cash which can be done at any Post Office.

I believe Alliance & Leicester came top in a recent customer satisfaction survey.

Who wants to wait ages in a queue to deal face-to-face with surly and usually harrased bank counter staff ?

[BasilRathbon]

A google search brought up this fairly useful site.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi...09610116,88950,

Doesn't really answer my question (the Alliance & Leicester one is an online account) but might be helpful to some other posters.