BANKS - which of the b***ards is the least worst?

[Tinker]

Currently have an account with Barclays - have had it for 20 years. Since I am frequently overdrawr I'm privileged to have been shoved into an Additions account. Now, when I was 'always overdrawn from day 1 one the month' I didn't resent paying £5 for this privilege. It has gradually increased over the years and today I got letter telling me that they are allowing me to have emergency plumber care and home start roadside assistance. For this they are TELLING me (not offering me) that the cost will go up to £9.50 a month. That's £114 per year for things I DON'T WANT.

So, which banks don't fleece you too much? I'm not quite as overdrawn as I used to be and there could be ways around that now.

Another vote for Smile - £500 free O/D, hassle free changeover, never had any problems with them, all manageable online and staff on phone are friendly. Have been with Co-op for about ten years and switched to Smile about 4 or 5 years ago.

Barclays are The Pits. I was with them when I was a student and they were bstrds once I graduated and couldn't get a job - suddenly the Nice Mr Bank Manager who had upped my O/D without hesitation (even raising my limit more than I asked for so I wouldn't be "short for the parties in the last weeks of term"!) was sending threatening letters every week. And when I did get a McJob he set up a direct debit into my O/D that left me with £10 a week to live on. Nice!

Royal bank of Scotland have been very nice to me over the years, I must say. I do live in constant fear of them rescinding their niceness and demanding to see the colour of my money, though.

well with all the slagging off that Barclays has received, I don't know if I should post this - but I've never really had a problem with them and I've banked with Barclays for 17 years!!! if there's anything I've been unhappy with such as charges, I ring and tell them and they refund me - they don't called me missbossy for nothing

First Direct are fab - every time I go overdrawn I play outraged innocent and get the fees refunded... lovely people...will never move by current account from them...