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.

BDSWISS Information

BDSwiss is an offshore-regulated forex and CFD broker that was established in 2012 and is registered in Seychelles. The broker offers a range of trading instruments across multiple asset classes, including forex, commodities, shares, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Pros & Cons

BDSWISS offers a wide range of trading instruments across multiple asset classes, making it a versatile platform for traders. The absence of deposit and withdrawal fees is a definite advantage for those who prioritize low-cost trading. Additionally, the broker's extensive educational resources can be beneficial for novice traders who want to improve their trading skills.

However, some traders may find the offshore Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) license to be a drawback.

Note that this table is not exhaustive and there may be additional pros and cons to consider.

Is BDSWISS Legit?

These measures help to ensure that BDSWISS provides a safe and secure trading environment for its clients.

Our Conclusion on BDSWISS Reliability:

Based on the information provided, BDSWISS appears to be a reliable and reputable online broker. It is offshore regulated by Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), offers negative balance protection and segregates client funds.

Market Instruments

BDSwiss offers 250+ trading instruments across various asset classes, providing traders with numerous options for diversification. Forex traders can access over 50 currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs. The platform also offers CFD trading on precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum, as well as energy products like crude oil and natural gas. Additionally, traders can choose from a range of popular stock CFDs, including shares of leading companies in the US, Europe, and Asia. BDSwiss also provides access to a range of global stock indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100, DAX 30, and Nikkei 225. Finally, the platform offers trading on popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.

Account Type

Demo Account: BDSWISS provides a demo account that allows you to try out the financial markets without the risk of losing money.

Live Account: BDSWISS offers a total of 4 account types: Cent, Classic, VIP, and Zero-Spread. The minimum deposit to open an account is $10, $10, $250 and $100 respectively. The threshold to open an account at BDSWISS is quite low. However, we should also realize that too little capital not only reduces losses, but also reduces profitability. Therefore, you may find it “unexciting” or unprofitable. In addition, accounts with smaller initial deposits tend to have poorer trading conditions.

Leverage

BDSWISS offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:2000 for all account types, which is a generous offer and ideal for professional traders and scalpers. However, since leverage can magnify your profits, it can also result in a loss of capital, especially for inexperienced traders. Therefore, traders must choose the right amount according to their risk tolerance.

Spreads & Commissions

BDSwiss offers variable spreads and commissions based on the type of trading account.

Trading Platforms

As for the trading platform, BDSWISS provides its clients with many options. There is a public platform - MT5 that has served many clients worldwide, also BDSWISS's own platforms - BDSwiss Mobile APP, BDSwiss WebTrader. If you didn't want to spend time familiarizing yourself with a new platform, you could choose MT5. But BDSWISS's own platform provides better compatibility with businesses, as they are specially developed and customized platforms. The choice is yours.

Trading Tools

BDSWISS provides a range of trading tools to help its clients in their trading activities.

The economic calendar allows traders to keep track of important upcoming events that can affect the markets.

The VPS service provides fast and reliable connection to BDSWISS servers for traders who use automated trading strategies.

The Trade Companion is a trading assistant that provides users with insights and trading signals.

The Trends Analysis tool helps traders to identify trends and make better trading decisions.

Trading Central provides technical analysis and market insights.

The Autochartist tool analyzes charts and helps traders to identify trading opportunities.

Trading Alerts notify users of important market events.

The Currency Heatmap tool allows traders to see the relative strength of different currencies.

Finally, the Trading Calculators help traders to manage their risk and calculate their potential profits and losses.

Deposits & Withdrawals

BDSWISS offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Wire, Pay Retailers, cryptocurrencies, AstroPay, Globepay, MPESA, airtel tiGo, korapay, and more.

The broker does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals.

BDSWISS minimum deposit vs other brokers

Most deposits are processed instantly. For withdrawals, BDSWISS strives to process most requests within 24 hours, although the processing time may vary depending on the payment method used and the verification requirements.

Fees

BDSWISS charges overnight fees on all positions that are held open overnight, and the rates depend on the instrument being traded. The broker also charges a currency conversion fee for deposits made in a currency different from the account currency. Moreover, if no trading activity occurs for over 90 days, a monthly fee of $30 will be deducted from your account balance, until the account balance is 0. This charges covers the maintenance/administration expenses of such inactive accounts. It is important for traders to keep these fees in mind when planning their trading activities, as they can impact the overall profitability of their trades.

Customer Service

• Languages: English, polish, German, Italian, French, Arabic, Thai, Filipino, Chinese, Indonesian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Turkish, Danish, Norwegian, Korean, Czech, Malay, Vietnamese, etc.
• Service Hours: 24/5 multilingual live chat
• Phone Number: +44 2036705890
• Email: support@global.bdswiss.com
• Social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Telegram
• Address: Suite 3, Global Village, Jivans Complex, Mont Fleuri, Mahe, Seychelles.
• Help/Support Centre are also available.

Education

BDSWISS provides a range of educational resources to assist traders in improving their trading knowledge and skills. They offer a variety of educational materials, including Forex eBooks, LIVE Education, Forex Basic Lessons, Forex Glossary, Educational Videos, and Seminars.

Their Forex eBooks cover various topics, such as trading psychology, technical analysis, and risk management, to help traders develop a well-rounded understanding of the Forex market.

They also provide live education through webinars, which are hosted by industry experts, and interactive training sessions.

The Forex Basic Lessons are designed to help beginner traders learn the basics of Forex trading.

Additionally, they offer educational videos that cover different aspects of trading, and traders can attend in-person seminars held in different locations globally.

Conclusion

All in all, BDSWISS offers a diverse range of trading instruments with competitive spreads and commissions on different account types. The broker provides a variety of deposit and withdrawal options with no fees charged, and fast processing time. BDSWISS also offers various educational resources and trading tools. However, is offshore regulated by Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) and there are some negative reviews from their clients saying that they have met severe slippage and unable to withdraw. Every trader should be cautious before trading or investing with a broker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)