Santander has increased the rate of interest offered on a number of its current account products.
Santander has announced it is to increase the rates of interest attached to a number of its current accounts.
From today (June 8th), those taking out the Alliance & Leicester Premier Direct Current Account will now receive six per cent interest, a rise of one percentage point from the five per cent which was previously offered.
Santander also reveals that the preferred in-credit rate product from Abbey Current Accounts will additionally provide six per cent interest for new customers, with this rate being fixed for a 12-month period.
Gillian Almond, manager for Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Current Accounts, claims that both banks are bucking the trend in the current account market "by providing even better value at a time when many other providers have reduced the rate they pay to customers with balances to as low as zero per cent".
Such news could be of interest to those looking to make the most of their money as recent research from Abbey Savings revealed the average person is currently saving £120 every month, a fall from the £143 per month tucked away in the first three months of 2009.
The comments listed below are opinions held by the individuals posting and are not endorsed by, or representative of opinions held by which4u.co.uk. We cannot be held responsible or liable for the accuracy or content of any comments submitted. We reserve the right to publish, remove or edit comments as we see fit.
Miss Angela Turner2009-06-08 20:18:57
Why doesn't A & Leicester look after their old customers who have a lot of money with them instead of always giving it to new customers. You will probably find that people who have money with you will find alternative banking where they are looked after. Very disappointed
Dave2009-06-08 20:22:10
Age concern wrote on 03/04/08 that apparently we're more likely to get divorced than switch bank accounts. I guess people consider it too much hassle to switch account.
Mrs L Richards2009-06-19 11:36:33
I first had an account (Girobank) 40 years ago and have never switched, I like Miss Angela Turner, feel very let down and dissappointed that I am not rewarded for my loyalty. I know after all this time that you feel assured that I will not change my accounts, but this isn't the attitude. New customers always seem to gain more.
Earn 5% AER on balances up to £2,500 for 12 months
After 12 months you will earn 1.0% AER on any balance on the account
0% EAR on Overdrafts for the first 4 months (up to £5,000 depending on your circumstances), after this it will revert to 19.9%EAR
Manage your day-to-day money for free with no monthly account fee, no transaction charges and no charges for using account facilities - as long as you remain in credit
Get a cheque book and a Visa Debit card. You can use your Visa Debit card in shops wherever you see the Visa symbol and at virtually every cash machine in the UK and many worldwide. It also acts as a £100 cheque guarantee card
Access to your money 24 hours a day 7 days a week through our e-banking service, 750+ branches, 24-hour telephone banking service, LINK cash machine network or even by post
At least £1,000 a month must be credited to get 5% AER on balances up to £2,500
If not switching earn 6% AER on balances up to £1,000 for 12 months if £1,000 is credited each month
After 12 months you will pay an Advance Overdraft rate of only 12.9% EAR
When switching, Abbey will offer to match your previous overdraft up to £5,000. *Conditions apply*
Earn 0.1% AER on any balance on the account
Get a cheque book and a Visa Debit card. You can use your Visa Debit card in shops wherever you see the Visa symbol and at virtually every cash machine in the UK and many worldwide. It also acts as a £100 cheque guarantee card
Access to your money 24 hours a day 7 days a week through our e-banking service, 750+ branches, 24-hour telephone banking service, LINK cash machine network or even by post
At least £1,000 a month must be credited to benefit from this offer
2.5% AER / 2.47% Gross (variable) on balances up to £2,500, when you pay in at least £1,000 per month into your current account.
0.1% AER / Gross (variable) on balances over £2,500.
Free banking – no charge for everyday transactions when you’re in credit.
Access to one of the biggest banking networks in the UK with over 1,900 branches and 32,000 LINK cash machines.
A VISA debit card you can use in over 500,000 places in the UK and 18 million outlets worldwide.
Commission-free foreign currency and non-sterling American Express Travellers Cheques.
Utilise the speed and control of Internet Banking, if you are registered.
You can call PhoneBank ® (based in UK) to speak to our advisors or use our quick automated service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"Interest paid monthly. AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) – the rate if interest was paid and compounded once a year. Gross rate is the contractual rate of interest payable before the deduction of income tax at the rate specified by law. PhoneBank® is a registered trademark of Lloyds TSB Bank plc."
Earn up to 4.00% AER / 3.93% Gross variable on balances up to £7000 when you pay in £1,000 per month.
4.00% AER (3.93% Gross) on balances £5,000 up to £7,000
3.00% AER (2.96% Gross) on balances between £3,000 and £4,999
2.00% AER (1.98% Gross) on balances between £1,000 and £2,999
0.10% AER / Gross on balances upto £1,000 or over £7,000
Free banking - no charge for everyday transactions when you're in credit
Visa Debit card with access to 1,800 UK Branches and 58,000 LINK cash machines, use in over 500,000 outlets in the UK, 27 million worldwide
Commission-free foreign currency and non-sterling American Express Travellers Cheques
Utilise the speed and control of Internet Banking, if you are registered
Call a UK call centre to speak to our advisors or use a quick automated service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Interest rates are correct as at 02/02/09
AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) – the rate if interest was paid and compounded once a year. Gross rate is the contractual rate of interest payable before the deduction of income tax at the rate specified by law.
PhoneBank® is a registered trademark of Lloyds TSB Bank plc.
Account opening is subject to our assessment of your circumstances; you must be 18 or over to apply.
**Customers will now be able to get the first three months at only £6 per month (instead of £12.50)**
How to get 10% AER on your savings with this account...
Step 1: Open your HSBC Plus Account and agree to pay £12.50 per month for at least 12 months.
Step 2: Open a joint Regular Saver Account (as a Plus Customer you will be given a higher interest rate of 10% rather than 8%)
Step 3: You can move between £25 - £250 per month from Plus Account to the Regular Saver Account
Step 4: If you invest £250 per month, a total of £3,000 will be paid into your account during the 12 month term. At 10% interest, you will earn approximately £163 interest (gross).
WARNING: Partial withdrawals are not permitted from a Regular Saver Account. If you decide to close your account before the first anniversary HSBC Flexible Saver rate will apply (Currently 0.10% AER).
Overdraft facility at 17.9% EAR variable is available, however this is on a case-by-case basis.
Fee free cash withdrawals worldwide
Worldwide family travel insurance (inc. winter sports cover - up to aged 70) - Worth £180 per year!
ID Theft Assistance- £80 per year
Life Cover - £43 per year
Roadside Breakdown Assistance - £92 per year - Price based on RAC Solution 1 cover before any discounts.
Free everyday banking - no monthly subscription charges.
No arrangement or renewal fees - on overdrafts up to £15,000. And pay no interest on agreed overdrafts of up to £100.
Save on your mortgage - use your Interest Paying Current Account balance to save money with our Offset Service.
Easy access to your money - your debit card gives you access to almost every cash machine in the UK. You can also pay for goods and services wherever you see the logo shown on your card.
Online banking - manage your money 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with our telephone and internet banking services. (Except for short periods of essential maintenance.)
Overseas money - get money in local currency at cash machines and buy goods wherever you see the logo shown on your card.
Statements - monthly statements list all transactions and your current balance. You can also get mini-statements from any cash machine.
Earn interest - we pay interest on your account; it's calculated daily and credited once every month.