Noticed that there was a news item about First Direct Bank starting to charge customers ?10 for the privilege of being having a bank account. I am sure customers will be delighted by that prospect. I don't have a first direct account but I thought their press release was interesting. They said
First Direct wrote:'We will be writing to our 1.3 million customers telling them ways to avoid their ?10 fee'
They go on to say this can be achieved by taking out a loan, using their home insurances et cetera. What a great way to make people buy 'Add-ons' effectively!
I just wanted to throw another idea into the pot to go with it, one that I hope all 1.3 million customers take.
The bank's line is that it's aimed at inactive or very low use accounts. Which means people who don't make them any money, basically: the charges don't apply to those with either balances over ?1500 or who put that amount in each month. Still, it could be the thin end of the wedge...
i like how it is said that ''Natwest and other High Street Banks have no plans at the moment to follow suit yet'' means that ''Oh thats a good idea, and you've got away with it, fantastic, lets implement it next year!''
