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.

What is LBLV？

LBLV, founded in 2017 and registered in Seychelles, is a financial brokerage offering a range of trading instruments, including currencies, indices, stocks, metals, commodities, and digital currencies. It provides six account types to suit different trading needs. The company previously operated under the regulation of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). But this regulation has been revoked.

Additionally, LBLV is not available to residents and citizens of certain regions, including the USA and North Korea, due to regulatory restrictions.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Wide Range of Instruments: LBLV offers trading in various markets, including forex, indices, stocks, metals, commodities, and even digital currencies, providing flexibility for investors seeking diversification.

• Multiple Contact Channels: LBLV provides various customer support channels, including a phone number, email, live chat, and presence on social media platforms, which is beneficial for quick and convenient assistance.

• Diverse Account Types: LBLV offers diverse account types to cater to the varying needs of traders, including Rookie, Basic, Premier, Elite, Elite Plus, and VIP.

Cons:

• Revoked Regulation: The most significant concern is the revoked regulation by the Seychelles FSA. This raises serious doubts about investor protection and the company's legitimacy.

• High Minimum Deposit: The $5,000 minimum deposit is far above the industry average, making it a significant barrier to entry for many potential investors, especially beginners.

• Regional Restrictions: LBLV restricts residents of certain regions, including the US, from trading on their platform, limiting their reach and accessibility.

• Exposure of Inability to Withdraw: There are six pieces of exposure of inability to withdraw on WikiFX, which indicates risks to fund safety.

Is LBLV Safe or Scam？

LBLV is highly likely to be unsafe for several reasons.

Their previously claimed regulation by the Seychelles FSA, which is already considered low-tier, has been revoked, leaving investors practically unprotected in case of disputes or fraudulent activity.

There are six pieces of exposure on WikiFX alleging difficulty withdrawing funds, which is a significant red flag, indicating risks about the company's financial stability and manipulation of funds.

Additionally, the $5,000 minimum deposit is far above the industry average, creating a significant barrier to entry and potentially making it difficult to recover even a portion of your investment if things go wrong.

Market Instruments

LBLV offers over 1400 trading instruments across six different markets, providing traders with ample opportunities to diversify their portfolios and take advantage of various investment options.

Currencies: Take advantage of investment opportunities by engaging in the buying and selling of currencies through trading major or minor currency pairs like EURUSD, AUDGBP or USDJPY.

Indices: Trade on the performance of multiple stock companies as a whole and invest in global indices like S&P 500, Nasdaq, and FTSE by monitoring local economic conditions.

Stocks: Experience greater flexibility without buying the underlying assets by investing in big tech firms and other popular stock companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Apple.

Metals: Trade different spot metals where you can speculate Gold (XAU) or Silver (XAG) against major currencies. Invest in other precious metals like Aluminium and Platinum.

Commodities: Get more exposure to a wide variety of commodities and invest in agricultural and energy derivative contracts. Trade different commodities like Brent oil, coffee or gas.

Digital Currencies: With digital currencies, you can go long or short and trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Cardano. Make the most out of the volatile market with the right tools and platform.

Account Types

LBLV offers 6 account types to suit different trading needs. The accounts offered by LBLV share several common features, such as Islamic Account options, mobile trading capabilities, 24-hour dedicated support, access to account managers, technical indicators, and technical analysis tools. Additionally, all account holders have the option to open an EU Private Bank Account and access the services of a personal banker for assistance.

The Rookie Account, with a minimum deposit of $5,000 USD, is ideal for beginner traders or those with limited investment capital.

Moving up the ladder, the Basic Account requires a minimum deposit of $25,000 USD and targets traders with some experience and a slightly larger investment capital.

The Premier Account, with a minimum deposit of $50,000 USD, targets more experienced traders with a larger investment capital.

For seasoned traders or high-net-worth individuals, the Elite Account requires a minimum deposit of $100,000 USD.

The Elite Plus Account, with a minimum deposit of $250,000 USD, targets high-net-worth individuals or institutional traders.

At the top tier, the VIP Account requires a minimum deposit of $1,000,000 USD and is targeted at high-net-worth individuals or institutional traders seeking the most exclusive benefits.

Leverage

LBLV offers leverage of up to 1:400, enabling traders to amplify their trading positions significantly with a relatively small amount of capital. Leverage is a double-edged sword, as while it can magnify profits, it also increases the risk of substantial losses.

Spreads & Commissions

LBLV claims to offer low trading commissions, allowing traders to increase their market exposure to all accessible instruments without incurring high fees. Additionally, the platform promises zero hidden fees, ensuring transparency in trading costs. However, detailed information about spreads and commissions is not readily available on the LBLV website.

Trading Platforms

LBLV provides a flexible platform system suitable for all types of traders, offering a sophisticated toolkit accessible on any device.

The platform is cross-platform, meaning it can be accessed and used on various devices seamlessly. It offers various charts and timeframes, enabling traders to analyze market trends and make informed trading decisions. Traders can manage multiple trades simultaneously, enhancing their trading efficiency and flexibility.

LBLV's platform ensures security through SSL encryption, protecting traders' sensitive information and transactions. The platform also provides flexible layouts, allowing traders to customize their trading environment according to their preferences. Additionally, efficient indicators and tools are integrated into the platform to assist traders in conducting technical analysis and making informed trading decisions.

Trading Tools

LBLV provides many trading tools to help you process your trades.

Contract Expiries: Check the expiration dates of the futures contract you are investing in.

Calendar: With the regular use of the economic calendar, you can follow the release schedule of numerous economic indicators and get ready for significant market movements. Economic indicators help you consider trades in the context of economic events and understand price actions during these events.

Trading Hours: Monitor the opening and closing hours of global market exchanges.

Deposits & Withdrawals

The deposit methods are funding via credit or debit cards (Visa and MasterCard), bank transfers, and digital-currency wallets. Available currency options include EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, and AUD. In order to avoid conversion fees, choose a currency for your account that is the same as the currency you use for deposits and withdrawals.

Customer Service

LBLV provides customer support through various channels to cater to the diverse needs of its clients.

Traders can reach out to the support team via email, with dedicated email addresses for different languages and regions, includingclientservices-th@lblv.com, clientservice-ru@lblv.com, clientservice-pt@lblv.com, and clientservices@lblv.com.

Additionally, traders can contact LBLV's customer support team by phone at +1 8447924568, providing a direct and immediate way to seek assistance.

LBLV also offers live chat support, allowing traders to engage with a support representative in real-time for quick assistance.

Moreover, LBLV maintains a presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Conclusion

LBLV presents an array of trading instruments and diverse account options, which can be enticing for traders seeking flexibility. However, there are significant red flags that cast doubt on its safety and legitimacy. The most concerning aspect is the revoked regulation by the Seychelles FSA, leaving investors with minimal protection. This, coupled with reports of difficulty withdrawing funds and a high minimum deposit, makes LBLV a highly risky choice for most investors.

We strongly advise to avoid LBLV and prioritize platforms with robust regulatory oversight and a commitment to investor protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is LBLV regulated？

A: No, LBLV was previously regulated by FSA, but its regulation has been revoked.

Q: What trading instruments are available on LBLV？

A: LBLV offers a wide range of trading instruments, including currencies, indices, stocks, metals, commodities, and digital currencies.

Q: What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with LBLV？

A: $5,000.

Q: Are there any restrictions on who can trade with LBLV？

A: LBLV is not available to residents and citizens of certain regions, including the USA and North Korea.

Q: What leverage is available on LBLV？

A: LBLV offers leverage of up to 1:400.

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 provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.

In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.