NatWest - flipping useless. Which bank?

Go to one that gives you a couple of hundred quid maybe for switching?  Just done this myself by switching to nationwide....

Could you get what you need from a Post Office branch instead? Although I think the limits are per card per day so I'm not surprised a branch couldn't do anything about that.

I left Lloyds after 35 years and moved to Nationwide. I wish that I had done it earlier. Very happy with Nationwide’s service and they have a local branch.

Nationwide, proper building society init.

FlexPlus account does all the stuff.

 the premium features of car breakdown assistance, travel and mobile phone insurance are actually good value for a one-off monthly payment

They weren't when I last did the maths, but that was a couple of years ago.

Starling here and very happy.

I used to pay TSB something insane like £25 per month for mobile/breakdown insurance...far cheaper to get standalone policies

If you want access to branches then Nationwide are currently the only ones committed to keeping them open.

When I needed £4k in cash, First Direct just increased my cash machine limit and I took it out of a machine in the HSBC branch. I believe Monzo and the like can do the same.

MSE have a nice summary of the packaged accounts but I've always found it better to get the cover I need elsewhere. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/best-packaged-bank-accounts/

First Direct and get £250 for switching. Spent all my life with Barclays until a few years ago when I decided I wanted free money. I was a little hesitant but the changeover was flawless, the App is a better experience than the web based site but only due to security levels and my memory being bad. Have not had one issue with them and customer service has always been great when I have forgotten my log in stuff

i dont think any one bank will meet your drawing out a tonne of cash requirement.

i've always had a couple of main banks, one for my wage, another for joint account with household bills, with a pretty much dormant personal account linked, between those i can withdraw 3 lots of maximum limit per day.

that might be the way to draw out

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hsbc The standard daily limits are: £300 for HSBC Bank Account and HSBC Basic Bank Account. £500 for HSBC Advance. £1,000 for HSBC Premier

natwest

default daily cash withdrawal limit depends on the type of account that you have: ## Student, Graduate, Savings or Youth Accounts - £250.00 ## Foundation, Select, Reward, Silver or Platinum Accounts - £300.00 ## Black Account - £750.00 ## If you would like a higher withdrawal limit, please contact us to amend it

santander

You can use our cash machines for many of your day-to-day transactions, including: withdrawing cash up to £500. If you have a debit or cash card, we can reduce your daily cash withdrawal limit at the cash machine from the standard £300 to £0 or £60

nationwide

The maximum withdrawal in a Nationwide branch is £500. Branch counter and passbook withdrawals. Cash withdrawals up to £2,000. You can visit your local branch

lloyds

You can withdraw up to £800 a day from a Lloyds Bank Cashpoint or other cash machines

monzo

Those who have Monzo Plus get unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals in the UK and EEA, and fee-free withdrawals on up to £400 everywhere else. Monzo Premium users get unlimited fee-free cash withdrawals in the UK and EEA, and fee-free withdrawals on up to £600 everywhere else.

Sounds like Nationwide is the one - particularly with the £200 incentive.

Think the Natwest charge is £20/month, plus I get £5, (total) cashback on utilities DD's. I can't get two adults annual travel insurance, 2x mobile phones plus recovery breakdown cover for £180 per year.

edit - I'd not thought about using multiple cards to withdraw smaller amounts. that would have been a good idea!

Surely unless it is shit tonnes of cash, just draw out on multiple days, and if need be transfer to other accounts / partners accounts to withdraw more.

If its for a purchase, of that scale, I would be using my credit card for extra security (and cashback)

I don't think many banks are setup these days for dealing with high cash transactions, its probably quite a rare occurrence

Been with Nationwide since 2013, they have yet to do anything dumb or stupid, they are super helpful both on the phone and in the branch

Entirely partisan, but...

Popped to the branch near work just now and find it’s closed down.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/about-us/branch-promise/

the premium features of car breakdown assistance, travel and mobile phone insurance are actually good value for a one-off monthly payment, I’d like similar from another provider

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/flexplus/

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/switch/

Plus bonus 'sticking it to the man' points

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/about-us/what-membership-means/

It's pretty much always been the case that you have to pre-order large amounts of cash from banks/building societies.

I've taken over £3k from Nationwide without notice though. Depends what they have in the safe and time of day.

Nationwide if branches are the key driver for you.
First Direct are also an option as they'll increase your cash withdrawal limit.
Or the one that does the best cash back for switching. Virgin Money for me last time I did it.

I've got a natwest account and am happy with the service, but...

've got a nationwide flexplus account that I pay £13 into each month to get

the premium features of car breakdown assistance, travel and mobile phone insurance are actually good value for a one-off monthly payment, I’d like similar from another provider

make of that what you will.

I've used it quite a lot this year (travel insurance claims x 2 + mobile phone claims) and its been painless each time.

First Direct switcher here, pretty good although a a few issues at the start/switch point.

They accidentally paid me 2 x  switching bonus. Despite my raising a complaint they didn't ever ask/request it back!

depending on your household income/savings you might be entitled to some perks for free - hsbc premier (which is free, if you earn enough) gives you free worldwide travel insurance for example.

For service for mere mortals, first direct is the one

If you want access to branches then Nationwide are currently the only ones committed to keeping them open.

I hope they stick with it, my local Nationwide branch permanently closed a couple of years ago, makes it a pain to go to the city centre branch.

But other than that I very pleased with the Nationwide, I've been with them for over 30 years.