Any Recommendations for Student Bank Account?

[HotGingerPudding2]

My daughter signing up for SAAS flagged up that it would be sensible to open a student bank account and get the benefit of any freebies on offer. A quick look online showed that Santander seems to be the highest rated this year with a 4 year student railcard, up to 3% interest, and interest free overdraft of up to £2000. She would definitely be buying a railcard so that is a bonus.
The St Andrew’s branch closed this month but I don’t think this would pose any real difficulties as any cheques can be paid in online or at the Post Office.
I wondered whether there were any good or bad experiences with Santander or whether there were any other recommendations. I think HSBC is also highly rated.
This is bringing back memories of book tokens for depositing my student grant cheque in the golden olden days! Now it seems to be Amazon Prime membership and vouchers.

DS1 has had a Santander student account for past 4 years. I think he's only been in the branch once when his lost his phone. No issues and likes the interest. Doesn't use the overdraft. I think others are better if you need to use the overdraft DS2 has a nationwide student account - just finishing second year. Not sure why - must have been the freebie as he wouldn't have used the railcard as you get a cheap season ticket without it when you are under 19.

I was just going to post and ask similar. DS1 won't use the overdraft and wont really get the benefit of the rail card as the minimum ticket price thing kicks in for his regular commute so makes the cost higher than having a season ticket. He also has some savings so I was thinking maybe just an ordinary account with first direct or something so he could maybe some into the regular saver account you can get with that which pays decent interest for a year.

DS2 should benefit from the railcard if he goes to Aberdeen so Santander account might be better for him.

That’s good to know ClerkMaxwell thank you.
Yes, the interest is decent at 3% from £300 up to a maximum of £2000 and with the railcard she’ll be around £100 up straightaway. Hopefully no need for the overdraft facility but always good to have a buffer!
WaxOnFeckOff this site has a handy breakdown of last year’s highest rated accounts www.savethestudent.org/money/student-banking/student-bank-accounts.html which is a good start point.

Thanks Ginge I'll have a look at that. We are closing all our RBS accounts due to a long running dispute - I'm being a thrawn cow but with justification so they are now losing 3 current accounts, 4 savings accounts and a credit card.

My DD also opened the Santander one. She has been very happy with it.

Dd has a nationwide one as that was the account she chose to open at 15.

Thanks all. She is going to sign up for a Santander account. One decision made!
She has a BoS account at present but they couldn’t offer any incentive to transfer to their student account and it makes sense to switch to Santander and get the 3% interest instead of nowt!
Wax I salute you. I’d be with you in spirit but actually switching that number of accounts would likely defeat me!

Ginger as I said, I am a thrawn cow. They want me to "pop" into a branch to identify myself. I've refused. I've walked past a branch on about 20 occasions since but I wont do it as it's utterly ridiculous. I'm just waiting on the ombudsman's final decision but I'm moving anyway, I just want them to offer to sort it first and then I'll tell them to stuff it where the sun don't shine :o