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.

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.

General Information

What is Hirose Financial？

Hirose Financial UK is a FCA regulated Forex trading company offering multiple trading solutions to the FX community basing in the UK. It is founded in 2010, a subsidiary of Hirose Tusyo of Japan. The broker provides online trading services for the foreign exchange market, allowing clients to trade various currency pairs. They offer both major and minor currency pairs, as well as exotic currency pairs.

In the following article, we will analyze the characteristics of this broker from various aspects, providing you with simple and organized information. If you are interested, please read on. At the end of the article, we will also briefly make a conclusion so that you can understand the broker's characteristics at a glance.

Pros & Cons

Hirose Financial Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Hirose Financial depending on the specific needs and preferences of the trader. Some popular options include:

• IC Markets - A popular and reputable Forex and CFD broker with competitive pricing and advanced trading platforms.

• Pepperstone- An award-winning Forex and CFD broker with low fees, fast execution speeds, and multiple trading platforms.

• OANDA- A trusted global Forex and CFD broker with an easy-to-use trading platform, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.

Ultimately, the best broker for an individual trader will depend on their specific trading style, preferences, and needs.

Is Hirose Financial Safe or Scam？

Based on the information available, Hirose Financial is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which makes it appears to be a reliable and reputable online broker. But it is important to note that experience alone does not guarantee the legitimacy or security of a brokerage firm. Exposure of withdrawal and fraud issues are red flags that should not be ignored as well.

Anyway, as with any investment, there is always some level of risk involved, and it is important for traders to do their own research and carefully consider their options before investing.

Market Instruments

Hirose Financial UK offers a large range of Forex instruments for traders, with a wide selection of over 46 currency pairs to trade.

Forex trading involves the buying and selling of different currencies in pairs, with the aim of profiting from the fluctuations in their exchange rates. Traders can engage in trading major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs through Hirose Financial.

Accounts

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

Live Account: Hirose Financial offers the advantage of no minimum deposit requirement to open a live account, allowing traders to start trading without any specific financial commitment while deposit requirements vary depending on the chosen deposit method.

Leverage

When it comes to leverage, Hirose Financial enables its clients to use the maximum trading leverage up to 1:30. Leverage is a mechanism that allows traders to control larger positions in the market with a smaller amount of capital. With a leverage ratio of 1:30, traders can potentially amplify their trading positions by up to 30 times their invested capital. This means that for every $1 of capital, traders can have exposure to $30 worth of assets in the market.

While leverage can magnify potential profits, it's important to note that it also increases the risk of losses. Higher leverage ratios come with increased market exposure and the possibility of larger losses if the trades move against the trader's expectations. Therefore, it's crucial for traders to use leverage judiciously and implement appropriate risk management strategies to protect their capital.

Hirose Financial's provision of leverage up to 1:30 may be suitable for traders who are comfortable with a certain level of risk and have a thorough understanding of the potential implications of trading with leverage. It's important for traders, especially beginners, to educate themselves about leverage, its risks, and how to use it responsibly before engaging in leveraged trading.

Spreads & Commissions

Hirose Financial offers competitive spreads on its trading platforms. For the LION Trader (ActTrader) platform, traders can benefit from spreads starting from as low as 0.7 pips. This means that the difference between the buying and selling prices of currency pairs or other instruments can be as minimal as 0.7 pips, offering potentially tighter pricing for traders.

On the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, Hirose Financial provides spreads starting from 1.9 pips. While slightly higher than the LION Trader platform, it still offers competitive pricing for traders using MT4. Both platforms aim to offer traders access to tight spreads, allowing for more cost-effective trading.

It's worth noting that Hirose Financial does not charge commissions on trades. This indicate that traders can execute their trades without incurring additional fees beyond the spread. This fee structure can be beneficial for traders, as it allows for more transparent and predictable transaction costs.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Please keep in mind that spread values can vary depending on market conditions, account type, and other factors. Commission structures may also differ based on the broker's pricing model and the type of account being used. It's important to review the official websites or contact the brokers directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information on spreads and commissions.

Trading Platforms

Hirose Financial UK offers its clients the flexibility to trade on multiple devices through their supported platforms. Traders can access the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform on various devices, including PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. This allows for seamless trading experiences across different operating systems and devices, catering to the diverse needs of traders.

Additionally, Hirose Financial provides the Lion Trader platform, which is available on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The Lion Trader platform offers a user-friendly interface and features specifically designed to enhance the trading experience. Traders can conveniently access their trading accounts, monitor market movements, execute trades, and manage their positions from their preferred devices.

Overall, Hirose Financial's trading platforms are well-designed, user-friendly, and offer a range of advanced features suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

Hirose Financial offers convenient options for depositing and withdrawing funds.

Deposits: Traders can make deposits using Neteller, a popular electronic payment method, or through wire transfers. Additionally, Hirose Financial allows for account balance transfers between accounts without any extra fees.

Withdrawals: When it comes to withdrawals, traders have the choice of using Neteller, local wire transfer, or international wire transfer. Neteller offers a seamless and quick withdrawal process. Local wire transfers are available for withdrawals in GBP, EUR, and USD, with specific handling fees applicable. For international wire transfers, fees vary based on the currency, and additional fees may apply when funds are returned to the beneficiary bank.

Fees

There are no extra fees when making deposit within Hirose Financial, while for withdrawals, theres different thresholds and handling fees:

Neteller: with Neteller withdrawals, there are no fees involved, and the minimum withdrawal amount is 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR, maximum withdrawal limit is 5,000 USD per transaction.

Local wire transfers: Clients can expect a fee of £6.00 for GBP, £8.50 for EUR, and £8.50 for USD, along with a minimum withdrawal amount of 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR by this method.

International wire transfers: there will be £5.00 for EUR and £8.50 for USD and GBP via this method, with a minimum withdrawal amount of 50 GBP, 50 USD, or 50 EUR.

It's important to note that additional fees may apply for certain transactions, such as when returning international wire transfers to the beneficiary bank. Clients should consult their own banks for specific details regarding any additional fees.

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see that a report of unable to withdraw. Traders are encouraged to carefully review the available information. You can check our platform for information before trading. If you find such fraudulent brokers or have been a victim of one, please let us know in the Exposure section, we would appreciate it and our team of experts will do everything possible to solve the problem for you.

Customer Service

Hirose Financial provides multiple customer service options to assist its clients. Customers can reach out to Hirose Financial through various channels to address their queries and concerns as below:

Phone: +44 (0)20 3089 3880

Customer support email: info@hiroseuk.com.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers a Contact Us form on their website. Customers can fill out this form with their queries, providing details about their specific needs or concerns.

Live chat support is also available for immediate assistance.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers screen sharing functionality through Skype.

Besides of this, you can also get in touch with this broker on some social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube while their FAQ section is a valuable resource for finding quick answers to common queries as well.

Overall, Hirose Financial's customer service is considered reliable and responsive, with various options available for traders to seek assistance.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with Hirose Financial's customer service.

Education

Hirose Financial offers a comprehensive educational package to support traders in their journey.

The educational resources include a forex guide, trading manual, and glossary, providing valuable insights and knowledge about the foreign exchange market. These resources aim to enhance traders' understanding of forex trading concepts, strategies, and terminology.

In addition to the foundational materials, Hirose Financial also offers educational resources on technical analysis and economic indicators. Technical analysis equips traders with tools and techniques to analyze price charts, identify trends, and make informed trading decisions. Economic indicators provide valuable information about the overall economic health which can impact currency markets. By understanding and interpreting these indicators, traders can better anticipate market movements and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Whether traders are beginners or experienced, these educational materials can serve as valuable references to improve their trading abilities and make more informed decisions in the forex market.

Conclusion

According to available information, Hirose Financial is a regulated UK-based brokerage firm. While the firm has significant experience in the industry and offers a professional Forex trading and receives a lot of good reviews from their clients, it is important to consider certain factors such as reports of unable to withdraw that may raise concerns. It is critical that potential clients exercise caution, conduct thorough research and seek up-to-date information directly from Hirose Financial before making any investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)