They helped me (Abbey National)

Member Name: January

Product:	Abbey National
Date:	17/12/02 (1050 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good service, people on hand for advice

Disadvantages: can be a bit pushy, some junk mail sent to you

I have been a customer of the Abbey National for about five years now. Having moved to the west midlands area and settled into a house in the country, I thought it best to open a bank account in town.
I have also an account with the lloyds but wanted an account to just save up in.

When I went into the branch to open an account, I was told I needed three forms of identification. Passport, driving licence, as they need something with your signature, or medical card and a utility bill with my address on it.
Armed with these documents feeling very official I asked to open an account that I could save up in.

My details were checked and forms filled in, then I was told I could open an instant saver account.
This gave me the amount of interest 1 penny for each pound paid into my account in Dec of each year.
I was given a pass book, which I took to the bank every time I wanted to save some money and they would print the amount saved into the book.

I was happy with this account as I could also have standing orders paid in or taken out.
After banking with the Abbey National for two years, I was asked if I would like to upgrade my account to a current account, where I would be given a card for the cash machine which would save me waiting in the queue in the bank every time I wished to make a withdrawl.
I was also told I would get a cheque book with the account which would come in handy for paying bills by post or for other transactions.
I accepted the offer and upgraded my account.

Six months after I had changed to a current account. I went into the bank to make a pay in and was asked if I would like a debit card, I was told this would be more convenient for me to use.
Instead of having to find a cash machine, I could go shopping in the supermarket and use my debit card, or buy petrol and other goods, there is no charge for using the card.
Abbey National set my card limit at 50 pounds so that I couldn'
;t run riot with it and I accepted the card and off I went.

Six months later I was sent a letter to tell me that my card limit had been increased to 100 pounds. I was a bit surprised as it didn't seem to me to be a long time since I had got the debit card, still with no charge for using it, unless you go overdrawn of course.
I was happy to have the spending power of 100 pounds at my fingertips, as I don't like to carry cash around with me.

Last week I was sent a letter asking if I'd like 250 pounds overdraft, with christmas coming fast I was tempted.
I do contract work and am paid by cheques when the work is finished, sometimes these are clearing in the account while things need paying for, so I agreed to have the overdraft.
I was very surprised when I went to the cash machine the next day and found the money had been put into my account. I didn't know my account would be credited with the cash, I thought that I would just see the amount on my statement if I ever went overdrawn.
I now have to be very careful when checking my bank balance, as somedays it seems very high, but this is because the overdraft has been added on to the amount in my account.

On the whole I find Abbey National easy to deal with, you can always find someone to talk to if you have any questions.
They have tables around the bank where you can ask to see someome to chat about your account.
I once went in to ask about what I needed for a morgage as I rent this house and before I knew it I was being offered one, at a reasonable rate!
So you do have to be careful, as I think they can be a bit pushy. I am always getting sent letters to ask if I want to change to their insurance or motor policies.

The thing about most banks is if your credit rating is good they will try and offer you all the things you don't have with them, like loans, morgages, insurance for health, motors, or house.
Stick to your guns and use t
he bank for the things you want.

I would recommend Abbey National to you as I do find them helpful if you need to ask about anything.
You can have a private interview if you want.
They have a good range of accounts for you to choose from, but if your not sure you can always ask them for some reading material and they will send it you.

I hope this has been helpful.

Summary: