Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 15/6/2017
We thought about a MetroBank account, but our nearest branch is Cambridge. We were all set to drive down and open an account, but family things intervened. So we haven't. I actually have until December 2016 to close my account, so this year we'll carry on as normal, and reassess our options.
I'm looking at the non-bank-account ways of transferring money, especially as we have a Credit Agricole account, (which would give us free ATM withdrawal) and some of the newer set-ups have some appeal - but we'll look into the Pros and Cons, and carry on with our N&P and Clarity accounts until we decide our next step.
I have used HiFx in the past to transfer money from a UK account to a Credit Agricole account and they have always been very helpful - - better rates than clearing banks and no fees helps too I find.
I don`t know whether you are aware of it, but Credit Agricole have a weird regional system and don`t operate like a national bank at all. When we moved from near Toulouse to Angouleme I found that other than taking money from the local ATM we couldn`t do any of our other banking without either writing to the branch where our account was, or actually visiting our own branch.
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Yes, I know about the Credit Agricole 'regions' - our account is with the Languedoc Credit Agricole, but it's very unlikely that we shall want to do any banking anywhere else in France.
Well, I've just spent a very pleasant air conditioned 45 minutes in their Tottenham Court Road branch and walked out all set up, including dates of forthcoming travel logged so the card will not be declined abroad.
It is an odd experience, I don't know if I'd trust my life savings with them! Suppose it is one of the few positives of having an employer who's HQ on Euston Road.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 16/6/2017
I must be the only Northerner with a Metro Bank account, going of the replies,
Come on Val A, we to balance things up a bit.
Balanced! We opened a Metro Bank account each yesterday in Peterborough. The whole thing was very efficient, easy, card produced on the premises, PIN set up, and internet banking set up too.
Obviously the best thing, for us, is the fee-free, transaction-fee-free debit card, which can be used in Europe, but also the fact that there is no minimum balance required, no minimum transactions, or number of payments into the account. The account is also free, with no monthly fee. Winners all round, for us.
For travellers to Europe Metro Bank also offer a fee-free, transaction-fee-free credit card.
We are interested in this too and just happen to be in Cambridge all week. As we both have Halifax current accounts can I set up a metro bank account but have my second income (variable amounts) paid into it?????
Just looked on website and haven't got any I'd here with us except driving licence so may have to do it next year instead.
Yes, in fact there is no commitment to make any regular payments into the account..........! As there is no cost to you, having an 'extra' account each isn't a problem at all.
Yes, you need ID and proof of address - but we just drove down to Peterborough and back in the day. We set off well after the rush hour, had lunch out, and were back in time for dinner. They are opening a branch in Leicester which is just marginally nearer if you're visiting there in the near future.
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Yep paul+julie, Me and Mrs Francais have our salary paid into a different joint account bank to that of Metro Bank.
I just have my works expenses paid into the Metro Bank, so only around £500 or so per month going in, which was handy when I had the N&P account, as any less would incur a £5 monthly charge with N&P.
Of course the Metro Bank account is even better, than what N&P was, with no charges at all.
When we next go to France, I will just drop a dollop of cash into the Metro Bank account, we would only use it for getting cash out of atm's whilst in France.
All our none cash purchases whilst in France go on the Halifax Clarity Credit card, which gets paid of in full each month, so to avoid interest charges.
Halifax used to give £5 cash reward for spending over £300 each month, but they stopped that around a year ago grrrrr!
We leave ours with only a few pounds in it then transfer what we want before we go. While we are away, we check the balance and add to it if necessary using online facility.
Just one fairly major problem, so far, with Metro Bank. Our internet banking was set up in branch and this morning we received a letter saying that we have to 'register our details', but neither of of us have been able to do this. The system just keeps saying 'your 12 digit customer number is incorrect'. Despite a half hour call to the bank, we're having to have new information sent out. Something wrong there, as (against all advice) I wrote everything down and had it sitting here whilst on the phone. The lady on the phone said that my information was correct, as given to her, but 'somehow the system isn't accepting it'. (We did 'clear the cache' between attempts, and even tried on Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer - at her suggestion).
Anyone else had problems with setting up internet banking? And if so, did you get it sorted out.
I'll wait and see what happens when the new details arrive (in five working days!).
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I had no problems with Signing in to the internet Banking. I have a Windows Phone, so cannot use their App, however I tested the whole internet banking process through my phone at the time on the setting the account, and it worked straight away. Made a test Payment (£1) to the Metro Account from my main Bank account to confirm it was all good - effectively instant , whereas N & P is next day, and then then made a test Outbound payment, also £1, and again it was almost instant.
For those that are interested, I still have my N & P account, and it worked fine this weekend in Belgium. I am going to keep using it until the Debit card Expires and they refuse to issue another one. I do pay a nominal £100 a month into my Metro bank, so I still have money, should the N & P not work whilst away.
Nothing great to add just to say I had a very positive experience of going into a Metro Bank and came out with account setup, debit and credit card, app on phone setup and online banking all working. Then went a trip using cards in France, Belgium and Switzerland with out any hassle, checking balances along the way on my phone. It was really that easy. I opened an account to replace my Nationwide cards. Yes, would recommend Metro Bank.
Today we got our new 'registration' details through from MetroBank - and had absolutely no problems in internet banking. We think that the issue was that the girl who set up our accounts, also set up internet banking, but in the 'Welcome Letter' it suggested that you had to register again..............! However, what we should have done is just Login! She was just trying to be overhelpful - and if she hadn't already set up the accounts in the branch we would have had no problem.
All working now, so a Happy Bunny again!
However, I would recommend that you ask them not to set up internet banking in Branch - as that just confuses the issue when your 'Welcome' letter arrives.
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Topic: Metro Bank
