Helping you keep your finances healthy!

Most of us Brits spend less than an hour researching current accounts, a recent study by Santander found. Why is this? When you consider that your current account is the financial product that you use most often and is the hub of all your financial activity, shouldn’t it be the most important thing to get right?
 
We look at what’s preventing us from reconsidering our current accounts, and what the key points to look for are as when creating the best base from which to conduct your finances.

Details have just started to emerge saying what will happen for thousands of Royal Bank of Scotland and Natwest customers when their branches are transferred to Santander.
 
As an RBS customer this is an issue that is close to my heart. Not only do I have my current account with RBS I also have an agreed overdraft with them as well as one personal loan that I still have another five years to pay on.
 
So if you’re worried about what will happen to your RBS account, let’s take a look at what the current proposals mean for us.

Have you been with the same bank for longer than you’ve been with your partner? If so, you’re certainly not alone. On average, says research from Santander, most people hold the same current account for 16.5 years, while the average Briton’s longest relationship lasts for 14.1 years.
 
So why do we stay put – and what could we stand to gain by moving? We take a look at some of the offers that are out there.

What’s so bad about tied products? To listen to some consumer champions you’d think deals that restrict a mortgage or loan only to those who hold a current account with a bank were always bad news.

But often tied products are much better deals then they are given credit for. That’s why guest blogger Robyn Hall believes we shouldn’t jump in too soon to write them off.

A personal current account is the hub for all your personal finances, so choosing the right one is crucial for happy money management. It’s almost impossible to manage your money without one – salaries and benefits are paid in there, and it’s a must for getting most types of credit. We’ve put together a guide [...]

We have mentioned HSBC a lot recently: they have been offering 90% mortgages again, offering you impartial (perhaps) mortgage advice, and they have promised to beat your current mortgage deal. After all that good news comes the bad: they are now scrapping the interest on your current account! You previously received 2% interest on the [...]