Banking and savings customer service and reputation forefront in

Banking and savings customer service and reputation forefront in decision-making.

52% of us have moved our savings because we were unhappy with customer service, according to the latest moneyfacts.co.uk user polls. 42% of us have avoided a particular account provider due to a friends bad experience.

With bank account providers, 46% of us have moved current account because of bad customer service and 45% have avoided a certain bank because of a friends bad experience.

Accessing our banking and savings via the internet is becoming increasingly popular but still many of us prefer to pick up the phone or visit a branch. Our finances are something that we need to take seriously and can cause a lot of stress. This means when we want to discuss them or need help, we need to be treated fairly and receive a good service.

Banks are continually being slated in the press for unfair charges and for things such as going overdrawn. This, along with hearing about people close to us having had a bad experience, would be enough to put many of us off choosing a certain account provider. However important good service is to us, we should still be aware of interest rates being offered by different providers.

The average rate of interest paid on current accounts is 1% gross on a balance of 1. However, current account best buy charts on moneyfacts.co.uk show that rates of over 4% can be earned on these accounts. Banking facilities should also be looked at when choosing your current account. For instance, is it important to have a branch near to you? Do you want to use internet banking?

As well as these things, if you use an overdraft on your current account it is wise to compare rates of interest on these. Moneyfacts research of overdrafts shows that some providers are charging EARs (Effective Annual Rates) on authorised overdrafts of over 20% and for unauthorised overdrafts over 30%. Again, best buy charts on moneyfacts.co.uk show that better deals are available with rates on authorised overdrafts as low as 0% (introductory) and unauthorised at under 6%.

Rates on savings accounts also vary greatly. On no notice accounts at 1,000 the average rate of interest is around 2%. The savings best buys charts show that rates of over 4.5% can be found. Again, account facilities should be considered.

From Piggy Bank to Savings Account – The Benefits of

From Piggy Bank to Savings Account – The Benefits of Saving

As children, many of us began saving by plugging our pocket money into a piggy bank. It’s a good early lesson in money management, but as adults, it’s necessary to do more than just stash your cash under the bed.

But before starting to put your hard earned money into a savings account, you should first pay off any significant debts you may have. This is because the rate of interest on loans is generally higher than the maximum interest on savings accounts. Therefore it makes financial sense to pay off these debts before starting to save.

The one exception to this rule is the student loan. According to Student Finance Direct: “All student loans accrue interest which is linked to the rate of inflation in line with the Retail Prices Index. This means that in real terms, the amount you pay back will have broadly the same value as the amount you have borrowed and no profit is made on the loan itself. Interest accrues on your loan until it has been repaid in full. The current interest rate is 2.4%”.

If your only debt is a student loan, then you would be better off financially, by putting your money into a high interest savings account and paying off the loan in small amounts when you have a bit of spare money.

Due to inflation, if your money is not invested or placed in an account that is earning more than the current rate of inflation, you are actually losing money. Therefore it is essential that you save your money in an account that offers an interest rate that is above the current rate of inflation.

There are a number of factors to bear in mind when choosing a savings account. Do you want to have instant access to your money, or are you happy to give weeks or months notice? Do you want an account that is accessible online, or would you prefer to have a face to face service with a real person?

The general advice for new savers is to first open what’s called an ISA (Individual Savings Account). This is a savings account in which you can put a maximum of 3000 per year and you are not charged tax on the interest earned. Like other savings accounts, the rates can vary from bank to bank, and unless the ISA is a fixed rate account, the interest can change over time. Therefore it’s a good idea to always check on interest rates every few months.

If you have in excess of 3000 to save, then there are plenty of high interest accounts, including internet saving accounts savings bonds and instant access savings accounts accessible through your local branch, telephone, and ATMs.

As there are so many choices of bank and building society, it pays to shop around and check all the various offers and interest rates. Sometimes banks offer high interest rates to attract customers, which are then reduced after six months or a year, so it can pay to keep an eye on the highest interest savings account and move your money around.

Paul McIndoe is an online, freelance financial journalist. He lives in Edinburgh with his two dogs.

Banking and savings customer service and reputation forefront in

Banking and savings customer service and reputation forefront in decision-making.

52% of us have moved our savings because we were unhappy with customer service, according to the latest moneyfacts.co.uk user polls. 42% of us have avoided a particular account provider due to a friends bad experience.

With bank account providers, 46% of us have moved current account because of bad customer service and 45% have avoided a certain bank because of a friends bad experience.

Accessing our banking and savings via the internet is becoming increasingly popular but still many of us prefer to pick up the phone or visit a branch. Our finances are something that we need to take seriously and can cause a lot of stress. This means when we want to discuss them or need help, we need to be treated fairly and receive a good service.

Banks are continually being slated in the press for unfair charges and for things such as going overdrawn. This, along with hearing about people close to us having had a bad experience, would be enough to put many of us off choosing a certain account provider. However important good service is to us, we should still be aware of interest rates being offered by different providers.

The average rate of interest paid on current accounts is 1% gross on a balance of 1. However, current account best buy charts on moneyfacts.co.uk show that rates of over 4% can be earned on these accounts. Banking facilities should also be looked at when choosing your current account. For instance, is it important to have a branch near to you? Do you want to use internet banking?

As well as these things, if you use an overdraft on your current account it is wise to compare rates of interest on these. Moneyfacts research of overdrafts shows that some providers are charging EARs (Effective Annual Rates) on authorised overdrafts of over 20% and for unauthorised overdrafts over 30%. Again, best buy charts on moneyfacts.co.uk show that better deals are available with rates on authorised overdrafts as low as 0% (introductory) and unauthorised at under 6%.

Rates on savings accounts also vary greatly. On no notice accounts at 1,000 the average rate of interest is around 2%. The savings best buys charts show that rates of over 4.5% can be found. Again, account facilities should be considered.

American Express Savings Account – How to Earn More Money

American Express Savings Account – How to Earn More Money With American Express Bank

American Express Online Banking has just established the American Express Savings Account. Finding a high interest savings account is not easy today, but this article will teach you how to earn more money with American Express Bank.

Earn a high rate of interest with an American Express Savings Account. How to earn more money with AMEX Bank is easy. The application process is online and with direct and electronic deposits available, you would never have to leave your home to start earning money.

Today’s high yield savings account from Amex is earning 2.00% APY. This is a competitive rate with a financially secure bank of Amex. The sound business plan of this financial institution has made it possible for them not only to be in business for decades but be a leading in their field. This is why your savings will be safe and secure. To add to this security, your savings will be protected by the United States Government through the FDIC program.

The interest that you will earn with this account is compounded daily and credited to your account every month. This savings account also does not have any monthly fees and there is no minimum balance required. On-line transfers with this account are done daily until 5:00 pm eastern time. All request after this time will be done the next business day.

An application to open an account can be done on-line. This will only take a few minutes of your valuable time. All that is required is your name, address, phone number, email address, birth date and social security number. Accounts become active within 2 to 3 days once the electronic deposit is made. If the deposit is by hand written check it will take a little longer.

It is easy to open an American Express Savings Account. How to earn more money with American Express Bank is just a key stroke away.

Find out how to open an American Express savings account. Check out that site for great information about online banking.