General Information

Santander UK is a large retail and commercial bank based in the UK and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the major global bank Banco Santander. It is registered in England and Wales, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. It manages its affairs autonomously, with its own local management team, responsible solely for its performance. It has its origins in three constituent companies—Abbey National, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley—all former mutual building societies. It is one of the leading personal financial services companies in the United Kingdom, and one of the largest providers of mortgages and savings in the United Kingdom.

Regulation

Santander UK Plc is a regulated institution under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with License No. 106054. It holds a Market Making (MM) license type and has been regulated since December 1, 2001. The institution operates with the license type of “No Sharing.” You can contact them via email at customerservices@santander.co.uk and find more information on their website: https://www.santander.co.uk/. The regulatory status does not specify an expiry date, and Santander UK Plc is located at 2 Triton Square, Regent's Place, London NW1 3AN, UNITED KINGDOM, with a phone number of 448003897000. Certified documents related to their regulatory status are not provided in the information provided.

Pros and Cons

Santander offers a wide range of financial products and services to cater to diverse customer needs. However, it's essential to consider both the advantages and disadvantages when evaluating their offerings.

Pros:

1. Comprehensive Product Range: Santander provides a diverse selection of banking, investment, insurance, and borrowing options, allowing customers to find suitable solutions for their financial goals.

2. Accessible Customer Support: Customers can easily reach Santander's support through telephone, live chat, or the ATM/Branch Locator. The extended hours of operation and accessibility options accommodate various needs.

3. Regulated Institution: Santander is regulated by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), providing customers with confidence in their financial stability and adherence to industry standards.

Cons:

1. Monthly Fees: Some of Santander's current accounts come with monthly fees, which may not be ideal for individuals seeking fee-free options.

2. Complexity: With numerous products and services, navigating Santander's offerings can be overwhelming for some customers who may prefer simpler banking solutions.

3. Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility criteria apply to certain products, such as personal loans, which may limit access to individuals who do not meet specific income or credit requirements.

Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of Santander:

Market Instruments

The Santander UKs segments include Retail Banking, Corporate & Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking. The Retail Banking segment offers a range of products and financial services to individuals and small businesses, through a network of branches and automated teller machines (ATMs), as well as through telephony, digital, mobile and intermediary channels. The Corporate & Commercial Banking segment offers a range of products and financial services include loans, bank accounts, deposits, treasury services, trade and asset finance for small medium enterprises (SME) and corporate customers. The Corporate & Investment Banking segment serves corporate clients and financial institutions.

Here's a summary of their products:

1. Current Accounts:

• Santander Edge Up Current Account:

• Earn cashback on selected household bills, supermarket, and travel costs.

• Earn interest on credit balances up to £25,000.

• Requires funding the account with £1,500 each month and setting up 2 active Direct Debits.

• No charges for using the debit card outside the UK.

• £5 monthly fee.

• Santander Edge Current Account:

• Earn cashback on selected household bills at supermarkets and travel spend.

• Access to an optional savings account with exclusive rates.

• Requires funding the account with £500 each month and setting up 2 active Direct Debits.

• No charges for using the debit card outside the UK.

• £3 monthly fee.

• Everyday Current Account:

• Simple and straightforward account with no monthly fee.

• 1|2|3 Student Current Account:

• Free 16-25 railcard for four years.

• Interest-free overdraft of £1,500 for the first 3 years of studies.

• Requires regular deposits of at least £500 every 4 months.

• 1|2|3 Mini Current Account:

• Designed to help children and young people learn money management.

• Offers interest on balances at certain thresholds.

• Choice of contactless debit card or cash card.

• Basic Current Account:

• Suitable for those with poor credit history or newcomers to the UK.

1. Mortgages:

• Services for first-time buyers, home movers, and those looking to remortgage.

• Options for changing lenders, borrowing more money, and managing existing mortgages.

• Later life mortgages for individuals aged 55 or over.

• Partnership with ufurnish.com for home furnishing experiences.

1. Credit Cards:

• Range of credit cards for various needs, including:

• All in One Credit Card

• Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card

• Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card

• Santander World Elite™ Mastercard®

1. Savings and ISAs:

• Savings and ISAs for different goals, including:

• Easy Access Saver

• Regular Saver

• Santander Edge Saver

• Easy Access ISA

• Fixed Rate ISAs

• Fixed Term Bonds

• Junior ISA

• Inheritance ISA

1. Investments:

• Investment options with cashback incentives.

• Investment Hub for online advice and fund selection.

• Investment advice and resources available.

1. Insurance:

• Home insurance, including contents insurance for renters.

• Life insurance, including critical illness cover.

• Health insurance.

• Mortgage life insurance.

• Family and lifestyle insurance.

• Over 50s Life Insurance.

• Car insurance, including electric vehicle insurance.

• Travel insurance.

• Business insurance and landlord insurance.

1. Personal Loan:

• Personal loans with fixed interest rates.

• Loan amounts from £1,000 to £25,000.

• Flexible repayment terms.

• Loan eligibility criteria apply.

Santander provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services to cater to their customers' banking, investment, insurance, and borrowing needs.

Accounts

Six digit account sort codes are used in the range between 09-00-xx to 09-19-xx. Sort codes for accounts formerly held by Alliance & Leicester use the range 09-01-31 to 09-01-36.

Credit Rating

In October 2011, Moody's downgraded the credit rating of twelve financial firms in the United Kingdom, including Santander UK, blaming financial weakness. In June 2012, Moody rated Santander UK as being in a more financially healthy position than its parent company, Banco Santander.

Deposit & Withdrawal

In November 2009, Santander launched the first current account in the United Kingdom without fees (including unauthorised overdrafts) for its current and future mortgage customers. In January 2010, the bank began waiving fees for customers using Santander's automated teller machines in Spain, which traditionally would incur fees for transactions in a foreign currency.

Accepted Countries

Santander's Corporate and Commercial Banking division operates from a number of regional business banking centres across the United Kingdom. Less than 1% of Santander UK's business is held abroad.

Customer Service

Santander has frequently been rated the worst bank for customer service in the United Kingdom, although by July 2011 had sought to improve, notably by returning call centre operations to the United Kingdom from India. Its '123' product range was ranked third best in the United Kingdom in 2013, and in a moneysavingexpert.com poll in February 2014, customers ranked their satisfaction higher than with any of other main high street banks.

Santander's customer support offers several ways to contact them and obtain assistance:

1. Telephone Support:

• Customers can reach a Customer Service Center Advisor at 1-877-768-2265.

• Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday to Saturday.

• For customers with hearing/speech impairments, there is a dedicated relay service at 7-1-1.

1. International Calls:

• For customers calling from outside the United States, there is a local number: 1-401-824-3400.

1. Live Chat:

• Customers can use the live chat feature on the Santander website to get real-time assistance with their inquiries or problems.

1. ATM/Branch Locator:

• For information on ATM and branch locations as well as their hours of operation, customers can use the ATM/Branch Locator on the Santander website.

Santander's customer support is accessible through various channels, including phone, chat, and online resources, ensuring that customers have multiple options to address their banking needs and inquiries. The telephone support hours are accommodating, and they provide accessibility options for customers with hearing or speech impairments.

Summary

Santander UK Plc is a regulated financial institution under the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with License No. 106054. They offer a diverse range of financial products and services, including current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, savings and ISAs, investments, insurance, and personal loans. Santander provides accessible customer support through telephone, live chat, and an ATM/Branch Locator, ensuring customers have various ways to seek assistance with their financial needs. Their customer service hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday to Saturday. Santander's comprehensive product offerings aim to meet a wide array of customer banking and financial requirements.

FAQs

Q: What types of current accounts does Santander offer？

A: Santander offers various current account options, including the Santander Edge Up, Santander Edge, Everyday Current Account, and specialized accounts for students and children.

Q: How can I contact Santander's customer support？

A: You can reach Santander's customer support by calling 1-877-768-2265 for general inquiries. For international calls, dial 1-401-824-3400. Alternatively, you can use the live chat feature on their website.

Q: Are there fees associated with Santander's current accounts？

A: Some current accounts may have monthly fees, such as £5 for the Santander Edge Up Current Account and £3 for the Santander Edge Current Account. The Everyday Current Account, however, has no monthly fee.

Q: What types of insurance does Santander offer？

A: Santander provides a range of insurance options, including home insurance, life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, and travel insurance, catering to various coverage needs.

Q: Can I apply for a personal loan from Santander？

A: Yes, Santander offers personal loans with fixed interest rates. You can apply for loan amounts ranging from £1,000 to £25,000, with flexible repayment terms. Eligibility criteria apply, and you can typically get a decision within 5 minutes.

ATFX Information

ATFX is a global online forex and CFD broker established in 2014, offering trading on various markets including forex, precious metals, crude oil, and indices. The broker also offers several account types, including the Standard Account, Edge Account, and Premium Account, targeting different trading groups, with $100 to start. Besides, the demo account is also provided. Regarding trading platform offerings, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) supported and its proprietary trading app - ATFX Mobile Trading App are offered.

Pros & Cons

On the positive side, ATFX is a well-regulated broker and offers negative balance protection to protect security of clients' funds. It also offers various trading instruments with competitive spreads via the industry-leading MT4 platform. You can also test their trading conditions via risk-free demo accounts.

On the downside, ATFX has limited options for deposit and withdrawal methods, as it only accepts payments via bank transfers and credit/debit cards. Another disadvantage is that ATFX does not offer social trading or copy trading features, which may be important to some traders. Finally, ATFX has limited research and analysis tools compared to other brokers, which may be a concern for more advanced traders.

Is ATFX Legit？

ATFX is a thoroughly regulated broker, boasting four licenses from esteemed global financial regulatory bodies.

These include a Market Making (MM) license (No. 418036) from the Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC), an Institution Forex License (No. 760555) from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, an STP license (No. 285/15) from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and a general registered Investment Advisory License (No. 20200000078) from the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) in the United Arab Emirates.

These multiple layers of regulation demonstrate ATFX's commitment to adhering to high financial standards, transparency, and the protection of investor interests.

Regulated Country	Regulated Authority	Regulated Entity	License Type	License Number
	ASIC	AT GLOBAL MARKETS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD	Market Making (MM)	418036
	SFC	AT Global Financial Services (HK) Limited	Leveraged foreign exchange trading	BUM667
	FCA	AT Global Markets (UK) Limited	Institution Forex License	760555
	CYSEC	ATFX Global Markets (Cy) Limited	Straight Through Processing (STP)	285/15
	SCA	Investment Advisory License	Investment Advisory License	20200000078

Market Intruments

ATFX supports trading on forex, precious metals, crude oil, and indices. However, in contrast to other brokers, ATFX does not enable shares, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, futures or options trading, and their product choices are somewhat limited.

Account Types

ATFX understands that every trader has their own trading style, preferences, and needs, and that's why it offers flexible trading account options. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader, there is an account type that is suitable for you.

The Standard Account is a basic account type that is suitable for beginner traders who are just starting in the forex market. It requires a minimum deposit of $100.

The Edge Account is a more advanced account type that is suitable for traders who have some experience in the forex market. It requires a minimum deposit of $5,000.

The Premium Account is the most advanced account type offered by ATFX, designed for professional traders who require advanced trading features and tools. It requires a minimum deposit of $10,000. This account type offers free VPS hosting, market analysis, a personal account manager, and access to exclusive trading tools, such as Autochartist and Trading Central.

Demo Trading

ATFX offers demo trading accounts to its clients, allowing them to practice and familiarize themselves with the trading platform and strategies before committing real funds. Demo accounts are available for all account types, including Standard, Edge, and Premium accounts. These accounts simulate real market conditions, providing traders with the opportunity to test their trading skills and strategies without any financial risks.

The demo accounts are also an excellent tool for beginners who are new to trading as it enables them to learn the basics of trading without the fear of losing money. The demo accounts offer the same features as live accounts, including access to all trading instruments and educational resources, enabling traders to experience the real trading environment.

ATFX's demo accounts have no time limit, giving traders ample time to perfect their trading strategies and techniques. Moreover, traders can switch between the demo and live accounts anytime they want.

Leverage

ATFX offers varying levels of leverage depending on the type of trading account and financial instrument.

For forex trading, the maximum leverage available for retail clients is typically 30:1 for major currency pairs and 20:1 for minor and exotic currency pairs. Professional clients may have access to higher leverage, up to a maximum of 400:1, depending on their trading experience and other criteria.

Notably, while leverage can amplify potential profits, it also magnifies potential losses, so it's crucial to use leverage responsibly and only trade with funds you can afford to lose. Additionally, different regulations may apply in different regions and countries, which could impact the maximum leverage available to traders.

Spreads & Commissions (Trading Fees)

ATFX offers competitive spreads and commissions on its trading accounts, which vary depending on the type of account and trading instrument.

For forex trading, ATFX offers both fixed and variable spreads, depending on the account type. The spreads for major currency pairs on the standard account start from 1.0 pip, while the spreads on the Edge account start from 0.0 pips but come with a commission of $7 per lot traded.

Non-Trading Fees

Aside from trading fees, ATFX also charges non-trading fees that traders should be aware of, including:

• Inactivity Fee: ATFX charges an inactivity fee of $50 per quarter for accounts that have been inactive for more than 90 days. This fee may be waived for active traders or in certain circumstances.
• Conversion Fee: If you deposit or withdraw funds in a currency different from your account's base currency, ATFX may charge a conversion fee to cover the costs of currency conversion.
• Overnight Financing Charges: If you hold a position overnight, ATFX may charge or credit you with an overnight financing charge, also known as a swap fee. This fee is based on the interest rate differential between the two currencies being traded and is typically charged at a fixed percentage of the position value.
• Deposit/Withdrawal Fee: While ATFX does not charge any deposit/withdrawal fees, third-party payment providers may charge a fee for their services.

Trading Platform

ATFX currently provides the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform for its traders, which is a widely used platform among forex traders. It offers advanced charting tools, technical analysis indicators, and automated trading options through Expert Advisors (EAs).

While some traders may prefer other trading platforms, the MT4 platform is a robust and reliable option with a large community of users and third-party developers creating and sharing custom indicators and EAs.

In addition to the MT4 platform, ATFX also provides the Mobile Trading App, allowing traders to trade on the go.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Minimum Deposit

ATFX's minimum deposit requirement of $100 makes it an accessible option for traders who are just starting out or those who prefer to trade in smaller amounts. The following payment methods are available for deposits:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted. The processing time for deposits made via credit/debit cards is instant, and there are no fees charged by ATFX.
• Bank Wire Transfer: Deposits can be made via bank wire transfer. The processing time for this method varies, and it may take 2-5 business days to reflect in the trader's account. ATFX does not charge fees for deposits made through bank wire transfer, but traders should check with their bank for any charges that may apply.
• Online Payment Methods: ATFX also supports online payment methods such as Skrill, Neteller, and Trustly. Deposits made using these methods are typically processed instantly. ATFX does not charge fees for deposits made through online payment methods, but third-party payment providers may charge a fee for their services.

Withdrawal

How to withdraw money from my trading account？

1. Log in to the secure Client Portal section of our homepage, then click “Withdrawal”.
2. This broker will always return funds to the original source they were deposited. For example, if a deposit is made by credit card, funds will be returned to the same credit card. The return can be done through bank transfer, credit/debit card or e-wallet transfers.
3. If you are withdrawing profit, this broker may ask you for bank account details to send funds directly to your account.

Please note: Your bank account must be fully verified before submitting a withdrawal request.

The time it takes for funds to return to a trader's bank account will depend on the withdrawal method used.

For bank transfers, once the funds have been removed from the trading account, it will take 3-5 business days before they arrive in the trader's bank account. The actual time required for processing may vary, and traders should refer to their bank for more information.

If using an e-wallet, funds will typically be returned to the trader's e-wallet within 2 business days.

For refunds to credit/debit cards, the process typically takes 2-5 business days after the withdrawal has been successfully processed. However, if there are restrictions preventing funds from being returned to the card, ATFX may request a valid bank statement and return the funds to the trader's registered bank account. In such cases, the trader will be contacted by their relationship manager.

All withdrawal requests received before 2 pm (UK time) on a business day will be processed on the same day. Requests received after this time will be processed on the next available business day.

Customer Support

ATFX customer support can be connected through the following channels:

• Live chat, contact form
• Phone: +357 25 258 774, the phone lines are open during Mon – Fri 08:00 – 18:00 GMT+2*, and *GMT+3 during Daylight Saving Time.
• Email: info@atfxgm.eu
• Headquarters: Maryvonne Building, 159 Leontiou A Street, Office 204, 3022, Limassol, Cyprus

Educational Resources

ATFX offers rich and solid educational resources to help traders improve their skills and knowledge.

One of the primary educational resources available through ATFX is their comprehensive online trading academy. This academy provides traders with a variety of resources, including webinars, videos, articles, and e-books, all designed to help traders learn the fundamentals of trading and improve their strategies. The academy covers a range of topics, from basic concepts such as market analysis and risk management to more advanced topics like trading psychology and algorithmic trading.

In addition to the online trading academy, ATFX also offers a range of educational resources specifically tailored to the needs of different traders. For example, beginners can take advantage of the company's beginner's course, which provides an introduction to the basics of trading, while more experienced traders can benefit from advanced courses covering topics such as technical analysis and trading psychology.

ATFX also provides traders with access to a variety of market analysis tools and resources. These include daily market analysis reports, economic calendars, and real-time news feeds, all of which can help traders stay informed about the latest market trends and make more informed trading decisions.

FAQs

Is ATFX a regulated broker？

Yes. It is regulated by ASIC, SFC, FCA, CYSEC, and SCA (general registration).

What is the minimum deposit requirement for ATFX？

$100 is required to start real trading.

What trading platforms does ATFX offer？

ATFX offers the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform for desktop, web, and mobile devices.

Does ATFX offer demo accounts？

Yes.

Is ATFX suitable for beginner traders？

Yes. ATFX offers a range of educational resources, including an online trading academy and tailored courses, to help beginner traders develop their knowledge and skills. Additionally, the broker offers a demo account for traders to practice their trading strategies before trading with real money.

Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information contained in this article is for general information purposes only.