Published in December 2012

New rules make packaged accounts clearer

by Rebecca Rutt | The FSA is forcing banks to send out annual eligibility letters to packaged account customers.

Lovemoney Awards: Smile tops current account poll

by John Fitzsimons | The current account awards have been dominated by just three names this year, with Smile leaping to top spot.

Published in November 2012

Last chance to get a £100 Christmas present from Halifax

by John Fitzsimons | Fancy pocketing £100 in time for Christmas? You've only got a few days left to take advantage of this current account switching offer from Halifax.

Nationwide launches top interest-paying current account FlexDirect

by John Fitzsimons | The FlexDirect current account from Nationwide is a top option for those with small current account balances who still want to earn some interest.

Co-op launches rewards scheme for banking customers

by John Fitzsimons | Take out a current account, mortgage, ISA or insurance deal with the Co-operative Bank and you could be in line for a dividend thanks to its new rewards scheme.

Open a current account for chance to win £1,000

by Neil Faulkner | We look into a prize offer from Norwich & Peterborough, and whether it's enough to make this a top-paying current account.

Where to find a basic bank account

by Simon Ward | If you need to access your money, there are plenty of basic bank accounts. But some come with restrictions.

Published in October 2012

Halifax relaunches £100 current account switching offer

by John Fitzsimons | You can pocket £100 just by switching your current account to Halifax.

Barclays swaps sales bonuses for customer service rewards

by Simon Ward | Barclays has announced that it is scrapping sales rewards and will only pay frontline high street and business staff bonuses based on good customer service.

Co-op Bank abolishes branch sales bonuses

by Simon Ward | The mutual will now only pay out bonuses for customer service.

Frodo Finance's flexible overdraft

by Ed Bowsher | If you want an overdraft, there's now an alternative to your main bank. It's called Frodo Flexi.

Published in September 2012

Three ways to get rid of your overdraft for good!

by lovemoney staff | If you're desperate to wave goodbye to your overdraft forever, this is how to do it!

Santander 123 current account offers cashback on mortgage repayments

by ReenaSewraz | Santander revamps its 123 current account to offer cashback on mortgage repayments for Santander mortgages.

HSBC customers to get Post Office access

by Rebecca Rutt | From next year HSBC will be offering its banking services through your local Post Office branch.

Transfer of bank account numbers proposed to make switching easier

by Simon Ward | Which? and a Conservative MP have teamed up to ask banks to offer 'portable' bank accounts.

Earn 4% interest with Lloyds Vantage current accounts

by ReenaSewraz | The new market-leading rate from Lloyds gives you the chance to earn over £235 in a year from your current account.

Online banking: How to stay safe

by lovemoney staff | If you bank online, follow these top tips to keep your money safe from fraudsters.

Your essential banking guide

by lovemoney staff | Are cheques only valid for six months? When should you use a credit card rather than a debit card? You might be surprised at the answers.

Published in August 2012

We'd rather bank with John Lewis

by Rebecca Rutt | New research shows we'd prefer to bank with John Lewis, Waitrose or Amazon instead of our own bank.

Banks cashing in on overdrafts

by Rebecca Rutt | Current account customers who regularly dip into their overdrafts are now paying an average yearly interest rate of almost 14% for the privilege.

Does free banking still exist?

by Rebecca Rutt | Free banking is a myth, according to Which? as hidden charges mean we're still paying for the service. So what's the answer and are packaged accounts the way forward?

NatWest/RBS IT problems: what to do if you've still got credit issues

by Neil Faulkner | Customers from all banks were affected by RBS and NatWest's IT problems in June. Here's what to do to sort out financial or credit issues this may have created for you, and how to get compensation if necessary.

Published in July 2012

Double IT trouble from Nationwide and NatWest

by Ed Bowsher | Nationwide has double charged some debit card customers while NatWest had more IT problems.

Are you fed up with banking breakdowns?

by Cliff D'Arcy | As NatWest and Nationwide reveal more IT glitches, we ask what's wrong with Britain's banks.

FSA launches clampdown on packaged current accounts

by Ed Bowsher | The FSA is getting touch on premium current accounts that charge fees in return for extra features. The clampdown is very welcome as these accounts aren't appropriate for most people.

Do loyal customers get a better deal?

by ReenaSewraz | With banks behaving badly, are there any advantages to staying loyal?

The Co-operative Bank to buy 632 Lloyds bank branches

by John Fitzsimons | Co-operative Bank to become sixth biggest high street bank following purchase of 632 branches from Lloyds.

OFT launches new current account review

by Ed Bowsher | As the OFT launches a review of the current account market, we look at your options if you fancy a change.

M&S unveils Premium Current Account

by John Fitzsimons | M&S has revealed details of its first bank account, the Premium Current Account. It won't be for everyone...

Alternatives to current accounts with the big banks

by Simon Ward | If technical problems and rate rigging have left you thoroughly disillusioned with the big high street banks, there are other organisations that offer current accounts.

Published in June 2012

Thinking of switching your current account?

by Ed Bowsher | Whether you've been affected by the NatWest banking issues, suffered poor service from another bank, or simply want a better return on your cash, you don't have to grin and bear it. Switching to another bank is easier than you might think.

UPDATED: NatWest system problems hit millions

by ReenaSewraz | There are still problems with some account balances, says bank. Here's the latest and what to do if you need help.

NatWest and RBS problems: what to do if you have been affected

by ReenaSewraz | Things you can do as the banks work to clear the backlog of the crisis.

Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland revamp overdrafts

by Laura Shannon | Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland are introducing new interest and fee-free overdrafts on their current accounts. But are they any good?

Current account fraud: record numbers of us lying to our banks

by John Fitzsimons | As current account fraud hits a new record high, John Fitzsimons finds out why so many of us are lying to our banks, and what happens if we get caught.

GetCash: NatWest and RBS unveil cash withdrawals using smartphones

by Simon Ward | The two banks have launched mobile technology that means you don't need your bank card to take out cash.

Barclays Feature Store: build your own packaged current account

by John Fitzsimons | With the Barclays Feature Store, you can design your own packaged current account. But what does it offer and is it any good?

M&S Bank to launch

by Simon Ward | This is not just any new bank... this is an M&S bank. Here's what it plans to do differently.

Current accounts: Halifax relaunches £100 switching bonus

by John Fitzsimons | Apply to move your current account over to Halifax and you could pocket £100 as a welcoming bonus!

Clear your overdraft in three weeks

by Neil Faulkner | By making use of a credit card, you can cut the cost of your overdraft debt dramatically.

Published in May 2012

Should free banking be abolished?

by Ed Bowsher | A Bank of England official has suggested that free banking should be abolished. Does that really make sense?

The end of free banking: winners and losers

by Neil Faulkner | Free banking looks to be on its deathbed. We look at who will win as a result, and who will be left out of pocket.

Packaged accounts: is your current account worth paying for?

by Laura Shannon | A leading regulator of UK banks said that `free banking' is a myth and warned that the banking model could change - but is it worth paying for a current account?

Co-operative Bank offers £100 incentive for taking out its Current Account Plus

by Cliff D'Arcy | The Co-operative Bank is the latest to offer you a £100 bribe to switch your current account.

Published in April 2012

Five more ways to transfer money abroad

by Neil Faulkner | We look at another five ways to transfer money from the UK to foreign bank accounts in another currency.

Santander offers £50 incentive for taking out student current account

by ReenaSewraz | Banking giant Santander has launched a £50 cash bonus for students who take out a student current account.

Published in March 2012

Santander 123 account vs Halifax Reward account: the most rewarding current account

by Neil Faulkner | These two current accounts both offer cashback deals. But which will pay you more, the Santander 123 account of the Halifax Reward account?

Five bank accounts that give you something for nothing

by John Fitzsimons | Bank accounts don't have to be boring. These five accounts offer exciting freebies or deals, just for having the account.

Santander 123 current account pays cashback on your direct debits!

by John Fitzsimons | The new 123 current account from Santander allows you to earn cashback on your council tax, energy bills and mobile phone bills!

Published in February 2012

first direct comes top again for customer service

by Ed Bowsher | first direct has won yet another award for customer service. However, some customers aren't happy with the redesign of the bank's website.

Barclays launches Pingit mobile-to-mobile payments

by Simon Ward | The bank's new app will allow customers of any UK bank or building society to send money by mobile.

Why your current account matters

by Neil Faulkner | Who you bank with does make a difference.

Could Facebook kill free banking?

by Ed Bowsher | Banks could start to charge for various digital extras and even stop providing free current accounts

Why banks are good to us

by Felicity Hannah | From awards for poor customer service, to complaints about interest rates; we Brits love to moan about our banks. But I think it's time to celebrate just how good we've got it.

Published in January 2012

Time running out to get HSBC's 6% current account

by Ed Bowsher | HSBC is about to withdraw its market-leading 6% current account. If you hurry, you can still sign up.

Santander doubles overdraft fees

by Simon Ward | Bank to up daily arranged overdraft fee to £1 from March, although it hasn't told many of its customers yet.

Call for clampdown on bank overdraft charges

by Simon Ward | Which? survey finds huge variation in fees and charges on unauthorised overdrafts.

NatWest gives away free cinema tickets

by Emma Lunn | Natwest is currently giving away cinema tickets. What perks are its rivals offering?

HSBC Bank Account pays 6% on your cash

by John Fitzsimons | HSBC has launched a new promotion on its Bank Account, which allows account holders to earn a market-leading rate on their money

Get a 0% overdraft

by Ed Bowsher | Have you overspent this Christmas? An interest-free overdraft could help reduce the pain.

Halifax Reward Account paying £100 cashback

by Neil Faulkner | Halifax's new introductory bonus adds to the appeal of its Reward Account, which will already pay £5 per month - the equivalent of 5% AER or more for most people.