The End Of Free Banking ? Whats Your View ??

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/15112006/140/first-direct-sparks-free-banking-fears.html

If you follow the link and post your view.

Do you agree ? Disagree ??

I strongly disagree, as im skint as it is, so the bank charging me £10 a month so that i can have an account is absolutely out of order !!

They are making enough as it is with the interest on everyones money, and the likes of cheques taking 3 days to clear, when really the cheque is ready the day after, the bank just holds onto the cash and takes 2 days interest on it !!

I think this is cr*p !!!!

Answer 1

I hear you, but.........
My first "real" job many years ago when I was young and stupid (nothing's changed, I'm just no longer young) was with Midland Bank - they don't exist anymore, were bought out by HSBC.
We/They had a policy at the time to "discourage" what we described as "Flat-Cap" banking (think of the cartoon character Andy Cap)
Yes I accept that it was insulting, I'm not trying to defend or justify it.
Flat-cap banking was the term used for people who were "told" by their employers that they would no longer get a real pay-packet with banknotes in it, they had to have their money paid into a bank account. It went in on friday and the whole lot came out on saturday (in those days by cashing a cheque over the counter, not through an ATM).
This was expensive for the banks - imagine walking into the newsagent and reading all their magazines and newspapers without actually *buying* one. - They don't need that sort of business.
These days I have a super-duper platinum a/c that costs me a tenner a month - for this I get free top-of-the-range AA membership (i.e. I can call them if My car is parked in front of my house and I can't be arsed to go buy petrol - they'll do it for me and check the oil/water/tyres etc), an interest-free overdraft without asking for an appointment with the manager and the 24/7 telephone number of *My* *Personal* banker who is english living in england rather than an offshored call-centre or a machine that will tell me how many people are ahead of me in the queue.
Banking is a service, it costs money.

Answer 2

I work in a private bank and they make loads a year, not that us normal workers see much, but it is the big bosses which do nothing all day and moan at us that get big cuts of it. If they want to start charging a normal current account they should take big pay cuts so the accounts can run for free or put benefits with the accounts such as commission free currency at a good rate, good interest rates, money back on card purchases. If you have a different current account you pay for that but you do get benefits so these benefits should come to play for normal accounts if they charge.
But of course its the clients with the money that get the treatment such as no charge to send funds overseas and all that. Maybe they should be charged top rate, they can afford it.
Leave the normal people alone HSBC.

Answer 3

I fully understand that banks are businesses and them need to make money. But I've always thought that being charged for a bank account is a bit of a liberty, and that banks in general make TOO MUCH money off us..especially when you're £10 overdrawn but somehow end up being charged £100 in fees! That's not profit..that's highway robbery!

Perhaps we should all get pay as you go credit/debit cards and "downgrade" our accounts to BASIC BANK ACCOUNTS! Direct debit facility and a cash card is all we'll need. The banks will be pissed; they don't advertise these accounts, because they're not money -makers!

Answer 4

Don't get me started! I worked for Lloyds for 15 years and the minute i left and got into a bit of trouble financially - they have crucified me. The more they pour on the bank charges the further into debt i go. Its a vicious circle. They upped my overdraft by so much then took it away and left me high and dry. They don't want to know when i ask them for help, they just keep charging!!!!! They get away with legalised robbery, and the government need to put a stop to it. How can you justify charging £35 for returning a direct debit of £10?!!! Its ridiculous. I agree with the person that says ask your employees to start paying you in cash. The banks would be stuffed then!!

Answer 5

There's not, nor ever has been, "Free" banking.

The term is used to describe any account that has no charges applied UP FRONT.

But we all pay for the privilege of securing our money at a bank, whether the charge is up front (as in the news article) or hidden.

So-called "Free" banking is paid by the account holder by way of low or no interest accruing on your account, as compared to normal to high interest accounts.

I'm afraid many people have been duped by the banks into thinking free means no cost to the customer. That is just so untrue, for the reasons detailed above.

Folks - don't let them kid you no more.

Answer 6

not only this . the Money that Bank Invest in Your Business is supported by the international currency Dollar . Dollar get support from nothing one day all economies of the World will be lost . the Financial system of the World is Based on Dollar and Dollar has no foundation what so ever now . Inflation is produces by Zionist to get the money from all around the world .

Answer 7

It seems to me that it's always the less well off in society that end up footing the bill. Those that bank with that company should move thier accounts to other banks which don't charge to let the bank aware that they are unhappy with that practise. we are all captive to the banks even people on benefits, are the banks that poor that they now have to charge the poorer section of the community £10's to bank.

Answer 8

don't get me started on banks, i swear i hate them. I had my wallet stole right out of my pocket book, i reported it to the police and told the bank what had happened. They said sorry that you was mugged last night, but we will have to charge you 10 dollars to replace your bank card. I said "what are you kidding me i was mugged last night for all of my money and now you want some more" I was outraged and sure enough they took the 10 dollars out of my savings. I'm in the process of trying to find a better bank. Is it every bank that's doing that, maybe you should try to shop around for a better bank, ask people from time to time who they bank with and see if they are happy!

Answer 9

Ye first Direct can kiss it.If they try this at my bank I will
be moving on to one that doesn't charge.
The rest who roll over and say that's life are idiots,will they give
me a tenner a month ? course not, so don't be apathetic
don't give fat cats the cream.

Answer 10

I used to work for HSBC, and there was no free banking until the late 80's.

What goes around comes around.

I think it is to stop you having loads of current accounts all over the place, just to have one with your wages paid into it. I do however feel for those who receive less that the £1500pm required to be under the charge.