English Chess Forum

Yes, HSBC are introducing charges for community accounts

I've had Barclays suggested to me, but there's currently a 6 week wait

List of possibles

I might take up Nick's suggestion of Metro

I have had no comms on the charges. Better check it out.

I had an email from HSBC yesterday

I see that Metro branches in the North are Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester & Liverpool, and it looks like a visit to a branch is needed

Thanks Mick. Is this a blanket charge or for just over certain thresholds?

From 1 November 2021, our Community Accounts will no longer be available, as we’re introducing a new Charitable Bank Account for charities and not-for-profit organisations that operate for a charitable purpose.

What changes will you see?

• The Charitable Bank Account has a monthly account fee of £5.00

• Cash paid into and out of your account over the counter will be charged at 0.40% of the value deposited or withdrawn

• Cheques paid into and out of your account over the counter will be charged £0.40 per cheque

• Change supplied over the counter will be charged 1.5% of the full amount

• Auditors Certificates will charged at £25.00 plus VAT

That is really poor from HSBC. Oh well.

Spoke with them online. Will be moving 2 club accounts...

Barclays provide a comprehensive service for Community Organisations, and such accounts don't normally incur business charges. Lloyds, also, but my experience with them is that they seem to keep you on cheque based transactions rather than electronic banking; perhaps it was just difficulties linked to their demerger at the time I was trying. My advice is to use Barclays.

Thanks Paul, I have been told that Urmston have switched to Barclays; unfortunately, there appears to be a 6 week wait for an appointment

I ditched HSBC many years ago. When the mortgage rates were going mad in the 90s, life became difficult, so a HSBC manager summoned me and told me the best thing to do was to default on the mortgage. I found this surprising...

My small (i.e. just me) company has had an account with Barclays for about five years and they haven't annoyed me yet.

Bourne End's Congress Account has been with Barclays. We opened it just before the 2019 congress. I noticed that it suddenly disappeared off my online banking access and when I phoned them, after queueing for 30 minutes, they told me the account had been closed because of inactivity in the previous 12 months. I asked them to reinstate it but they said they couldn't do that. They said we would have to complete new paperwork and set up a new account. I have a hunch that when the smoke clears, they will say that we cant open a new account - but we will see.....

I keep hearing that Santander and Metro are good ones. Will research Friday when on holiday.

Santander not currently accepting applications I think

I've spoken to Metro bank though essentially the guy was just reading from the website

Once we've got the paperwork in order, we need to visit a branch; they said there's no appointment system, they just do "walk ins", so best to avoid busy times

Manchester branch is open Saturdays and Sundays though, so quite flexible

Courtesy of VPN issues at work today, I had a good look. This is where I am:

HSBC – Now charging a fee
Metro – Need to apply in Branch. Nearest one is miles away.
Santander – Not allowing new customers
Lloyds – Not allowing new switches
Barclays – Need an appointment. Nearest one is for October in Bradford (quite a distance and there is continued COVID uncertainty). Branches are mainly shut, which is annoying as there is one down the road.
Co-op – Not offering that account anymore
Monzo – Need a current account

Where I have had some success…
Starling Bank – Really simple to switch and I put Holmfirth here but cannot currently add other users to use the account. I asked when this will be possible as their website said they were looking into it.
Yorkshire Bank/Virgin money is an option and free with limited transactions. I have a bigger account to move, so may look at this.
Nat West Community Bank Account