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Changing Banks.How difficult is it?

Hello everybody. I hope you are all doing well and keeping on top of things in these horrible times.
After reading this morning that the HSBC are probably going to start charging a fee to use their current account I was alarmed. Ive been with them for over 30ys and have been somewhat dissatisfied with their lack of customer service for some time now but the idea of a charge for their services has tipped me over the edge. Obviously being on ESA and PIP I live within a strict budget and an additional outgoing would be unwelcome but being completely honest its the principle more than anything. I was wondering if anybody has changed banks and if so how difficult and stressful was it. Im so nervous of anything unsettling and different. Would it involve telephone calls to the DWP etc? Thank you to anybody who can help me.
After reading this morning that the HSBC are probably going to start charging a fee to use their current account I was alarmed. Ive been with them for over 30ys and have been somewhat dissatisfied with their lack of customer service for some time now but the idea of a charge for their services has tipped me over the edge. Obviously being on ESA and PIP I live within a strict budget and an additional outgoing would be unwelcome but being completely honest its the principle more than anything. I was wondering if anybody has changed banks and if so how difficult and stressful was it. Im so nervous of anything unsettling and different. Would it involve telephone calls to the DWP etc? Thank you to anybody who can help me.
Replies
I did mine last year after a decade with the same bank and was amazed how easy it was! Did it all online, no phone calls at all, and they switch all of your direct debits and regular incomes (such as ESA and PIP).
When I did mine, some banks were giving out switching bonuses of £100, but I'm not sure if any still do this during the current situation.
It shouldnt have any effect on DWP, as long as they are given your new bank details, lots of people switch accounts for lots of reasons and this isnt fraud
It's certainly helped me because I've wondered the same in the past, switching banks has been on my list of considerations for a little while.
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Just one note of caution if one bank is going to start charging they will all follow suit, I can remember the days when we had to pay for every cheque we wrote and every standing order, having said that they paid decent interest rates even on current accounts which cancelled out most charges if you stayed in credit (yes I am that old !)
Good to know the DWP write to me and dont just stop my payments.
thanks again for advice.