[jambutty]

It was reported that in order to qualify for a free service a current account would have to have a minimum of £1,500 in it or using one of their other products as well and during an interview the First Bank spokesperson confirmed it. The First Bank FAQ’s http://www.firstdirect.com/faqs/index.shtml reveal.

Will I be charged for banking with first direct?
Provided you credit your Bank Account or Cheque Account with at least £1,500 each month (internal transfers from first direct accounts excluded), keep an average monthly balance in excess of £1,500 or have an additional product (see next question for details) with first direct you will not incur our banking fee.

I don’t know about anyone else but I read that as having a minimum of £1,500 in the account at all times regardless of how much is pushed through the account.

You are right about bank charges outside the UK entwisi but we don’t live abroad. We live in the UK and today in the UK it is newsworthy. So it is not shouting the odds as you put it. It is bringing the issue out in the open for discussion and comment