Anyone found a bank that isn't useless??

[BBR]

As the thread title says really, my daughter is going travelling and wants a bank account where she will be able to draw currency abroad, primarily the U.S.A. Halifax, LLoyds, Santander and even First Direct have all given us problems when abroad despite emailing/telephoning/writing/telling branch staff (except FD) with our itinery. So anyone found a bank that works?

 

[BillN_33]

no - they all think that it is their money …… and western governments have put together "money laundering" rules that screw normal people and let the big guys get away with it - and the Bank have assisted them - they are all shysters

 

[frank]

Just spotted today on my RBS online banking that you can tell them what countries you will be visiting in advance along with your departure and return dates to and from these countries, assuming this is to stop cards being declined when you use it abroad, it's probably been there a while.
I suppose it saves these awkward moments when the provider temporarily declines the card, not so good if your card gets nicked when abroad though. So I suppose the banks are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

 

[BBR]

Just spotted today on my RBS online banking that you can tell them what countries you will be visiting in advance along with your departure and return dates to and from these countries, assuming this is to stop cards being declined when you use it abroad, it's probably been there a while.
I suppose it saves these awkward moments when the provider temporarily declines the card, not so good if your card gets nicked when abroad though. So I suppose the banks are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

All the banks I have seen have similar facilities. My son did the mongol rally a few years ago. He gave his itinery to the local branch staff and sent a secure email on his online banking account and he had funds available and the atms refused him money. I had the same in Cuba, with a different bank and one of my daughters the same in Australia and U.S. with yet another bank. So, why do they bother asking you to tell them when and where you are going if they are going to refuse anyway?
I agree with Bill (post 2)

 

[viv1969]

Nope......

Next!

 

[Steep]

I've always found my bank to be very helpful but perhaps part of the problem is that she's not 'yet' a customer. My bank - http://www.smile.co.uk just in case they might be suitable.

 

[BillN_33]

and the EU are trying to stop you carrying more than £3k around in cash, (the limit is now 10,000 Euros), and if you have it you have to prove where it came from.

We go to South Africa every January/Feb for a month - if my credit card gets refused, I'm stuffed….plus the CC Banks now charge you a fee every time you use it

I always take a minimum of £2k in £cash and change it there …….. apart from feeling that I have funds in an emergency I have always found the local exchange rate to be at least 10% better than in the UK and of that given by credit cards.

No, banks treat ordinary people like criminals when they try to open a new account and their help abroad is pitiful - you have no chance now of opening a Bank Account in the US unless you have a social security number and just try opening one in France, they almost need your dental records and then it can take weeks ……. and UK and Euro Banks welcome foriegn criminals who have loads of cash with open arms

But I'm rather sceptical as you can gather

I must admit Smile have been and are good - but look where that has got them

 

[mattyg]

Not as such. The bank is but my Banks business manager wasn't. He was a top guy. Shame they now have a big team somewhere and I no longer get to deal direct with him

 

[mattyg]

Have you thought about Pay as you go credit card. You can put money on it online and then use that for purchases.

 

[MWHCVT]

As someone who used to work for a building society, my advice is always have at least two cards ideally from separate banks keep those separate where possible...one of the biggest issues and I don't think this has changed is that in the USA they still used signature verification and this is inherently classed as higher risk...which is why in addition to the fact that its abroad cards are more likely to be declined, plus your likely to also make greater use of the card again increased use patterns are a red flag, so you've almost got the trifecta of fraud indicators

The biggest thing is make sure the card providers have a 24hr fraud line, the one I worked for at the time didn't and when I was working the out of hours lost card line the amount of times I'd be screamed at for telling a blocked card holder that they would need to call in UK office hours was unreal...

 

[ecoleman]

Never had a problem with Natwest. Been to SA numerous times and never had a problem

 

[gramps]

http://www.caxtonfx.com/currency-cards/currency-cards-for-you/

 

[BillN_33]

Never had a problem with Natwest. Been to SA numerous times and never had a problem

will they let you open a Bank Account in S Africa, if so I'll go and see them

 

[viv1969]

and the EU are trying to stop you carrying more than £3k around in cash, (the limit is now 10,000 Euros),

There's actually not a limit if you can justify why you are carrying such a ridiculous amount of cash.
I go to the middle east for work on occasion and carry way more than that in USD.
I also carry documentary evidence as to why it is required.
I've never had a problem.

 

[andyred]

Daughter would say "Bank of Dad" ...

 

[BillN_33]

There's actually not a limit if you can justify why you are carrying such a ridiculous amount of cash.
I go to the middle east for work on occasion and carry way more than that in USD.
I also carry documentary evidence as to why it is required.
I've never had a problem.

What if they reduce it to £3k …….. in fact "they" are wanting to reduce the amount you can draw from a bank account in cash to £3k ……. why should we have to justify what we have in cash anyway and have paperwork to support it for +£3k….. the money laundering rules were brought in to stop criminal "laundering" money, but they affect the man in the street more.

£10k in cash is not a lot if you are buying a car and want to drive it away on purchase, or indeed a Leica and similar: lots of guys that trade in expensive watches trade in cash ……. that is the way it is

 

[Blank_Canvas]

I bank with Barclays and have never had any problems, I was out in Bahrain, Dubai and Oman for for months Even the the ATMs recognise it as an English card and the the ATM instructions come up in English over there. Never had any problems in America or Europe either. Online banking, even an app for my iPhone which I used over there to make payments etc. it's one service I am happy with and have no complaints.

 

[MWHCVT]

What if they reduce it to £3k …….. in fact "they" are wanting to reduce the amount you can draw from a bank account in cash to £3k ……. why should we have to justify what we have in cash anyway and have paperwork to support it for +£3k….. the money laundering rules were brought in to stop criminal "laundering" money, but they affect the man in the street more.

£10k in cash is not a lot if you are buying a car and want to drive it away on purchase, or indeed a Leica and similar: lots of guys that trade in expensive watches trade in cash ……. that is the way it is

Well then I believe they might be breaking the law, I'm fairly certain transactions over a certainly value cannot or should that be (should not) be done in cash, I know even a few years back now my mum wanted to buy a new car and took something like £16k in cash and the dealership refused it insisting that under law he couldn't do it, so my mum had to pay it into the bank and get a bankers draft for the value

Edit: it seems the value is €15,000 or the equivalent to that in what ever currency, at the time that would have been about £10,000 which is what I remember my mum saying, however research also suggests company's can register as a high value dealer which allows them to take payments over that value so it would suggest the dealers my mum was using were not registered

 

[BillN_33]

Well then I believe they might be breaking the law, I'm fairly certain transactions over a certainly value cannot or should that be (should not) be done in cash, I know even a few years back now my mum wanted to buy a new car and took something like £16k in cash and the dealership refused it insisting that under law he couldn't do it, so my mum had to pay it into the bank and get a bankers draft for the value

If a registered motor dealer receives over £5k in cash I think that he has to report it in some way

but if it is a private sale i do not think that there is a limit …….

But I am getting OT

 

[BT Bob]

I bank with Nationwide - not had a problem in Ireland, Portugal, France, Italy, USA, Cuba, Mexico, Hong Kong or Australia.

 

[Flightphoto]

I work for one of the larger banks (it pays the bills around Xmas etc!)

I'm astonished by some of the info that's been put up here, it looks like a lot of you have been filled with complete rubbish!

First of all, there's no law on withdrawal amounts, you are more than welcome to withdraw up to £25,000 from all the high street banks, anything over and you have to give 48 hours notice - this is due to the banks having a system that only 100k can be kept in a building over night (which is why no one robs banks)

Withdrawals are permitted world wide - PROVIDING - that you are not in a country that has failed UN regulations and is subject to investigation, these countries include, Cuba, South Korea, Somalia, Myanmar, Iran and a few others - if you are in these countries then you would have been provided with information in your account opening that these countries are excluded. If you are to venture into several countries for a cruise then we will ask for that info and make a record of which dates you will be visiting them - meaning that your card will not be blocked.

I did such a few years ago when I did a trek with the camera across tibet etc and fell into no trouble, card protection was active and the bank were there for me when my cards went missing.

If you are in need of info, then contact the bank, not every case is the same, every case is worked on its merits

 

[BillN_33]

I work for one of the larger banks (it pays the bills around Xmas etc!)

I'm astonished by some of the info that's been put up here, it looks like a lot of you have been filled with complete rubbish!

First of all, there's no law on withdrawal amounts, you are more than welcome to withdraw up to £25,000 from all the high street banks, anything over and you have to give 48 hours notice - this is due to the banks having a system that only 100k can be kept in a building over night (which is why no one robs banks)

Withdrawals are permitted world wide - PROVIDING - that you are not in a country that has failed UN regulations and is subject to investigation, these countries include, Cuba, South Korea, Somalia, Myanmar, Iran and a few others - if you are in these countries then you would have been provided with information in your account opening that these countries are excluded. If you are to venture into several countries for a cruise then we will ask for that info and make a record of which dates you will be visiting them - meaning that your card will not be blocked.

I did such a few years ago when I did a trek with the camera across tibet etc and fell into no trouble, card protection was active and the bank were there for me when my cards went missing.

If you are in need of info, then contact the bank, not every case is the same, every case is worked on its merits

no one said that there was a "law on withdrawal amounts" - did they?
What was said was
a). That there is a limit on the amount that you can carry around in Europe of Euros 10,000 without having proof of where it came from
b). That "they" the authorities, (added, within the EU), are TRYING to reduce the amount you can draw from a bank account in cash to £3k

As a banker are you saying that this is not the case

 

[onomatopoeia]

a). That there is a limit on the amount that you can carry around in Europe of Euros 10,000 without having proof of where it came from

So if you are stopped and searched in Traflgar square, do the police arrest you and charge you with something like "Carrying too much money without good reason" then?

What's the specific offence that prevents me from carrying more than 10,000 Euros around Tesco (or wherever)?

 

[BillN_33]

So if you are stopped and searched in Traflgar square, do the police arrest you and charge you with something like "Carrying too much money without good reason" then?

What's the specific offence that prevents me from carrying more than 10,000 Euros around Tesco (or wherever)?

not sure in your example, but if you are stopped at customs they fine you … I have been stopped by the French for carrying just under £5k …… they spotted the cash in the area were they scan your baggage and then tipped off the custom ladies down the line ….. they told me to take my sun glasses off, separated me from my wife and asked me where I got the cash from …….. I was coming out of France to the UK ……. I told them that it was none of their business as I only had £5k …… that was the end of it ……. when we first moved to france I took a few of my Bikes out there and sold one to a Spanish guy - he paid me in Cash ….. it was the only way I would have let him take the Bike away ……. I was bringing the Sterling back to the UK to put it in the Bank

Others would know, what would happen in Tesco (maybe our Banker), but you would probably get mugged

As I understand it it is only an offence if you cannot prove where the money came from .. as stated earlier ….. in seems to be the norm on this Forum to add meaning when it was never said

as far as the law is concerned if you cannot prove were it came from you are a criminal or drug dealer …or why

but we are getting off topic ………

 

[MWHCVT]

So if you are stopped and searched in Traflgar square, do the police arrest you and charge you with something like "Carrying too much money without good reason" then?

What's the specific offence that prevents me from carrying more than 10,000 Euros around Tesco (or wherever)?

No they don't arrest you but they will seize the cash until you can prove province of it...it's and interesting case of guilty till proved innocent, but makes sense otherwise you might well you know spend it

 

[SFTPhotography]

The reason some cards get blocked abroad even after the customer goes overseas and the bank is informed is security.

Its to do a double check in case the bank was informed by someone impersonating the customer they were going overseas.

Impersonation fraud and account takeover fraud is a serious business that costs banks a fortune to investigate and pay back victims.

 

[Lynton]

Pretty much anything over £10k in cash in the UK. has to be reported, due to regs of money laundering act - this does not imply you are up to anything dodgy, just needs to be reported, and one would assume if you are not up to anything dodgy, then could provide easy conclusive proof that hey "look, this is the impreza turbo nutter b'tard that I bought for £12k ith money found down the back of the sofa."

 

[onomatopoeia]

not sure in your example, but if you are stopped at customs they fine you … I have been stopped by the French for carrying just under £5k …… they spotted the cash in the area were they scan your baggage and then tipped off the custom ladies down the line ….. they told me to take my sun glasses off, separated me from my wife and asked me where I got the cash from …….. I was coming out of France to the UK ……. I told them that it was none of their business as I only had £5k …… that was the end of it ……. when we first moved to france I took a few of my Bikes out there and sold one to a Spanish guy - he paid me in Cash ….. it was the only way I would have let him take the Bike away ……. I was bringing the Sterling back to the UK to put it in the Bank

Others would know, what would happen in Tesco (maybe our Banker), but you would probably get mugged

As I understand it it is only an offence if you cannot prove where the money came from .. as stated earlier ….. in seems to be the norm on this Forum to add meaning when it was never said

as far as the law is concerned if you cannot prove were it came from you are a criminal or drug dealer …or why

but we are getting off topic ………

There is a specific requirement to declare if you are taking more than 10K euros (or equivalent) in our out of the EU through customs, and a form to fill in.

I have searched and can find no other legal restrictions on carrying cash above a certain amount. My searching may not have uncovered it though, which is why I was asking you.

 

[BillN_33]

There is a specific requirement to declare if you are taking more than 10K euros (or equivalent) in our out of the EU through customs, and a form to fill in.

I have searched and can find no other legal restrictions on carrying cash above a certain amount. My searching may not have uncovered it though, which is why I was asking you.

Not sure what happens if you are found walking about with over 10K, but #24 suggests what may happen - all part of the decrease in our civil liberties if you ask me

 

[Lynton]

to be fair, how many of us, (owners of black range rovers with 24" wheels and "privacy glass" need not answer) 1have £10k notes upon them..

 

[MWHCVT]

to be fair, how many of us, (owners of black range rovers with 24" wheels and "privacy glass" need not answer) 1have £10k notes upon them..

Most of those with that car and wheels most likely don't have that kind of cash available to them, that posh pawn place exists for a reason

 

[BillN_33]

to be fair, how many of us, (owners of black range rovers with 24" wheels and "privacy glass" need not answer) 1have £10k notes upon them..

Does "the Government" really think that imposing a "cash" limit of £10k will really stop criminals, drug dealers and the like from having loads of cash …… it is another poor and inappropriate solution to a "problem"
"When" the limit is reduced to £3k or £5k it will start to affect "normal" commercial transactions - the government should not assume that all commercials transactions in cash are done to avoid paying tax, but apart from that it is another device to control individual freedom which is a policy the the EU "bureaucrats" are fond of.

The current political climate in France regarding cash is
In the government plan labeled “Fight against fraud,” France’s fiscal residents would see the cash transaction limit decrease from €3,000 to €1,000 per purchase. However, in a nod to the exiled wealthy and what Wolf Richter calls the “Depardieu exception,” those fiscal residents of a country other than France would have their cash transaction limits reduced from €15,000 to €10,000 per purchase. Legislative measures could be finalized by the end of 2013.

“It has long been the dream of collectivists and technocratic elites to eliminate the semi-unregulated cash economy and black markets in order to maximise taxation and to fully control markets,” writes Patrick Henningsen at the Centre for Research on Globalization. “If the cashless society is ushered in, they will have near complete control over the lives of individual people.”

The wedge started at 10k Euros ……. the Eurocrats will bring it down to 1k Euros - it is almost "illegal" now to offer cash as payment for "work" done in France - illegal by both the giver and receiver.

France do have a considerable influence on policy and "rules" within the EU …… and they have a "socialist" government…….. and you never know "where you are with that lot"

I am not particularly against it from the "taxation" standpoint - but I am against more control being imposed on "normal" peoples lives.

 

[mattyg]

Reducing the amount will slow down the exchange from dirty to clean money. Curtis warren would struggle to have built up his £300 million if he was limited to £3000 a go.

This is why the authorities don't like bitcoin for example.

Another reason why, in the not so distant future Paper money wont be used. I hardly pay with paper money now. Its quicker to touch my card against the machine than it is to get paper out and wait for change.

When paper money is gone it'll be a lot easier to spot the drug dealers.

 

[SFTPhotography]

Criminals will just go electronic, bank transfers, false numbered accounts, money mules etc. It's not hard to launder money and conceal its origin electronically either.

 

[BillN_33]

Reducing the amount will slow down the exchange from dirty to clean money. Curtis warren would struggle to have built up his £300 million if he was limited to £3000 a go.

This is why the authorities don't like bitcoin for example.

Another reason why, in the not so distant future Paper money wont be used. I hardly pay with paper money now. Its quicker to touch my card against the machine than it is to get paper out and wait for change.

When paper money is gone it'll be a lot easier to spot the drug dealers.

"When paper money is gone it'll be a lot easier to spot the drug dealers" - ……………..not really, the Banking community, home and abroad, will always accommodate them even if you use your "electronic" CC to pay a PanAmerican Bank ….. money is money to Bankers ……...the drug dealer won't get caught, BUT you will ……… Drug Dealers and Bankers are smarter than Governments…….. porn, gambling and other similar activities have no problems collecting money

and what do you think the internet has done for moving "dodgy" money?

If you want to "control" crime start with controlling Banks, but that will never happen, particularly world wide ….. where do you think Robert Mugabe and his mob (and similar) keep their money ……. certainly not "under their pillow"
London is a great "international" Banking centre ……. Banks are generally not "moral" Institutions

with all due respect Matt, you have only read half of what I said …….

do you want Governments, Bankers and the "financial community" to record everything you do financially, (and in other areas of your life), and use that information as they wish, (no matter what they say).

Big Euro (Socialist) Brother is out there in full swing

OK stop crime, but it won't be done in the way discussed ……… but leave some of our hard earned freedom for the ordinary "man in the street"

 

[JonathanRyan]

I can't remember visiting a country that I couldn't stick my First Direct card in a cash machine and get cash in local currency.

Don't think I tried it in Mozambique but the US should be fine.

 

[john-oh]

It is possible to have a card refused by an ATM, then walk up the road a few metres to a different ATM and all is well. I assume this is due to different ATM networks, not necessarily your banks doing.

 

[Flightphoto]

Bill, I'm guessing you have a thing against bankers? I just feel that some of the concerns you have are very very strong
To put it into perspective, I'm a minion, I earn a stupid £26k per year for making sure that a customer has been advised correctly on a financial product. I took the job because as far as I was concerned, I had a newborn on the way, a photography business that was bringing in a good income but one major problem was that it was very seasonal - I took the option that ensured my mortgage was paid and that I wasn't then in a position to sell £30k's worth of pro equipment just to make ends meet - my point is that not all 'bankers' are in it for the money, the same as the cops that are ''corrupt, or bent'' - or the civil servants that are there to stop benefits and put families at risk, or the highways agencies workers who stop lanes on motorways to prevent a hazards. If you had any financial knowledge or insight then you will know that most electronic funds are stopped from the outset, it's not easy for supposed launderers to just send thousands to an account - you may think you know such but unless you can prove to me that you work in a bank and see this happen then what am I lead to believe?
The biggest source of laundering still is and will be, the transfer of physical bank notes, it's far easier to do, every electronic commerce transaction is monitored. I was only in such a position last week whereby we thankfully stopped the transfer of funds between a suspicious account from Nigeria to an account in Salisbury, the rules were followed and there was a criminal charge outcome, that was carried out at a local level - which goes to show that small branches are full capable of deterring crime.

Any way, back onto the actual thread topic,

All banks are useless, always will be, every business has its problems unfortunately, although from experience - there are some awful banks out there that surprise me how they keep the doors open, namely Santander.......

 

[BillN_33]

Bill, I'm guessing you have a thing against bankers? I just feel that some of the concerns you have are very very strong
To put it into perspective, I'm a minion, I earn a stupid £26k per year for making sure that a customer has been advised correctly on a financial product. I took the job because as far as I was concerned, I had a newborn on the way, a photography business that was bringing in a good income but one major problem was that it was very seasonal - I took the option that ensured my mortgage was paid and that I wasn't then in a position to sell £30k's worth of pro equipment just to make ends meet - my point is that not all 'bankers' are in it for the money, the same as the cops that are ''corrupt, or bent'' - or the civil servants that are there to stop benefits and put families at risk, or the highways agencies workers who stop lanes on motorways to prevent a hazards. If you had any financial knowledge or insight then you will know that most electronic funds are stopped from the outset, it's not easy for supposed launderers to just send thousands to an account - you may think you know such but unless you can prove to me that you work in a bank and see this happen then what am I lead to believe?
The biggest source of laundering still is and will be, the transfer of physical bank notes, it's far easier to do, every electronic commerce transaction is monitored. I was only in such a position last week whereby we thankfully stopped the transfer of funds between a suspicious account from Nigeria to an account in Salisbury, the rules were followed and there was a criminal charge outcome, that was carried out at a local level - which goes to show that small branches are full capable of deterring crime.

Any way, back onto the actual thread topic,

All banks are useless, always will be, every business has its problems unfortunately, although from experience - there are some awful banks out there that surprise me how they keep the doors open, namely Santander.......

do all bank employees regard themselves as "Bankers"?

 

[srichards]

Electronic money is all well and good but when the banking systems aren't working then you cannot access your own money! Cash doesn't crash, it works in a power cut and some fat fingered pillock can't just wipe it all out by mistake.

Loads of people were left unable to buy food or pay bills for days due to rbs, natwest and several others having massive IT failures over the last 12 months.
If any cashless system has the same vulnerabilities as chip and pin and ATMs it'll be a disaster. It has to be foolproof and malicious intent proof before you can remove cash altogether.

 

[JonathanRyan]

And......back on topic...........

Citibank used to have a dual currency account so you could hold funds in $ and £ in the same account. Would be great in the US but Citibank branches are very limited in the UK (um, 2?). Maybe they would let you use the Link network.