We've just received notification that the Bank of Scotland, which we
use for our business banking, is to change its system of charging. 

   We usually write 6-10 cheques per month, which are free of charge
providing we keep at least £5000 in cleared funds in our account for the
whole of any banking month. If funds in this account drop below the
£5000 threshold at any time during a banking month, then all cheques
written are charged at 57 pence per cheque.  Deposits to the account are
free.

  Bank of Scotland has now notified us that, with effect from 7th
December, they will replace this per-cheque charge with a fixed charge
of £15 for each month in which the cleared balance in the account drops
below £5000 AT ANY TIME during that monthly charging period. 

  In their letter of notification they state that "These changes are
designed to enhance the way you have your account serviced and simplify
the charging structure".  If that isn't BS then I don't know what is!

  My question to the NG is this: Is this Bank of Scotland account 'deal'
still good value for money, or can anyone in this NG suggest a better
one ?

    TIA  - Dave Chapman  


David C.Chapman - Chartered Engineer. FIEE.   (dcchapman@minda.co.uk)
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