I actually did get " A LITTLE XTRA" (Halifax)

Member Name: cher_2004

Product:	Halifax
Date:	03/11/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I was paid to move my account over to them.

Disadvantages: They are making harsh changes to some of their accounts £1 a day charge for being overdrawn, beware.

Let me start this review by mentioning that I really get annoyed and irritated by banks and building society's.

Last week I popped into my local Halifax branch to make a counter transaction. The lady behind the counter asked me if I was aware of the changes that are going to be happening to my account. I wasn't aware that any changes were being made starting from 1st December despite the claim that a letter had apparently been sent to me.

It unravels that the current account I have will be changing and that Halifax will be charging me £1 per day for every day the account holder is overdrawn. She advised me to see an account advisor to review my account so it can be switched to a suitable account for me. I agreed to a meeting, albeit reluctantly, and an appointment was made.

Today I went for my appointment, very halfheartedly. The lady who dealt with me was very polite, very informative and very helpful. We discussed my options and I was happy to switch to a more suitable account.

Then came the "XTRA" bit, she asked if I had current account's with other banks (which I do) and then to my surprise she told me that if I transferred the direct debits and standing orders from those accounts over to Halifax I would receive £25.00, I was being slightly cheeky and tongue in cheek when I asked if I get £25 for each account I transfer. I was admittedly very shocked when she said yes.

To get my reward of £50.00 all I needed to do was to provide my other bank details, sign forms to authorise them to deal with natwest for the takeover of my standing orders/direct debits, and pay a £100 pounds into my new account to open it. £25.00 is already showing in one of my accounts and the other £25.00 will show in my new account tomorrow.

I do need to inform all the companies that payments need to be switched to my new account. This apparently can be done by phone, which is great, no sitting down and hand writing letters.

This appointment took about 45 Min's but that seemed a very small price to pay for £50.00

Please understand that I am still not a fan of banks and building society's and I still haven't found one that is any better than the others, they all charge low interest rates on your money then charge you ridiculously high rates if you go even a penny overdrawn.

My experience with Halifax today was very good and I am happy to switch my accounts to any bank that's going to pay me to do so.

I do think the changes they are making to their accounts are wrong, but thanks very much for the £50.00.

Lets hope this is the start of a trend and other banks will follow so I can keep changing my banks.

Well done Halifax.

This is a recommendation of their current promotion not Halifax overall.

Summary: I really don't like banks/building society's but a bank that gives me xtra definitely makes me smile.