Saturday, 24 December 2011

How To Understand The Benefits Of Opening A Current Account

By Derek Mucio


Persons who open a current account enjoy a variety of beneficial features. These accounts are typically offered with a debit card and with some, payments are allowed without checking one's account. Current accounts also come with a check guarantee card, and checks are widely acceptable because the card acts as a guarantee. Accountholders also get a check book and can make automatic bill payments (direct debits). Standing orders are also offered, and accountholders can make regular payments from their accounts. Another beneficial feature is BACS, which makes it possible to accept payments from third parties, for example, employers, directly to one's account.

Alternatively, the accountholder can make one-off payments to another account. As an added benefit, current accounts are featured with an overdraft facility, with banks allowing accountholders to go overdrawn, but up to a certain limit. This has to be arranged in advance, and clients who go overdrawn have to pay charges if there is no agreement in place. Finally, some banks offer accounts that pay interest, but at a low rate.

Opening a current account is a safe and secure way to keep money. One advantage of having a current account is that accountholders do not have to carry cash every time they have to perform a transaction. Most banks feature online banking so that clients can check, manage, and keep track of their money. Telephone banking is another advantageous feature, with clients having access to a network of bank branches to perform transactions.

Persons who want to open a current account can check with building societies and banks in the UK, for example, Britannia, Smile, Alliance & Leicester, Abbey Bank, the Woolwich Building Society, and many others. What do financial establishments have on offer? Halifax, for instance, offers current accounts which are a great choice for persons who want to do their day-to-day banking. The account offered by Halifax comes with online banking and 24/7 telephone service. Current accounts are also offered with easy-to-understand overdraft charges, a Visa debit card, and other standard features. Lloyds TSB is another UK bank which offers a variety of current accounts to its clients. The bank offers classic accounts as well as value added accounts, featured with mobile phone insurance, AA breakdown cover, worldwide travel insurance, ID aware, and more. The Silver Account is offered with a range of beneficial features, including European travel insurance, mobile phone insurance, and others. Customers who choose to bank with Lloyds can move their account, transferring their standing orders and direct debits to the new account. Barclays is another bank that offers current accounts with plenty of added benefits, including 24/7 legal advice helpline, interest-free overdrafts, extended warranty, as well as mobile phone insurance covering theft, accidental damage, and loss. Additional beneficial features include contactless debit cards, identity support helpline, and gadget insurance. Clients of the bank get cardholder protection as well, covering them against loss or theft of cards and theft of passport.

Finally, clients of Barclays can choose from various mortgage deals, but this is subject to status and availability.




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