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.

General Information & Regulation

LIRUNEX is a retail forex and CFD broker that is registered in Cyprus and regulated by multiple regulatory authorities. The broker offers a variety of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, with competitive spreads and leverage up to 1:30 for forex trading.

LIRUNEX also offers multiple account types, namely Standard, Prime and Pro accounts and each with different minimum deposit requirements and features to cater to different trading styles and preferences. For example, the Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $500 or equivalent amount.

LIRUNEX's trading platform of choice is MetaTrader 4, which is available for both desktop and mobile devices. LIRUNEX supports various order types, including market orders, limit orders, stop orders, and trailing stop orders. Traders can also execute orders using the One-Click Trading feature on the MetaTrader 4 platform. In addition, LIRUNEX provides various educational resources and trading tools to assist traders in making informed decisions.

LIRUNEX offers customer support via several channels, including phone, email, as well as some social media platforms, and an online contact form. The customer support team is available 24/5 to assist traders with any queries or issues they may have. LIRUNEX's website also features a comprehensive FAQ section, which can be accessed from the “Support” tab on their website, providing answers to frequently asked questions on topics such as account opening, trading conditions, and platform features.

Is LIRUNEX legit or a scam？

LIRUNEX has multiple entities that are regulated by various regulatory authorities, including CySEC, BDF, BaFin, LFSA, and CNMV. This means that LIRUNEX operates under strict guidelines and adheres to high levels of regulatory standards and consumer protection policies.

LIRUNEX LIMITED, is authorized and regulated by Federal Financial Supervisory Authority of Germany (BaFin) under regulatory license number 156748;

Lirunex Ltd, is authorized and regulated by Banque de France (BDF) under regulatory license number 83447;

Lirunex Ltd, is also authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) under regulatory license number 338/17;

Lirunex Limited is also authorized and regulated by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) under regulatory license number MB/20/0050;

LIRUNEX LTD, is authorized and regulated by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de valores (CNMA) under regulatory license number 4829;

Pros and Cons

LIRUNEX is a forex broker that offers traders competitive trading conditions, such as low spreads and high leverage. The broker provides free educational resources, including webinars, ebooks, and video tutorials, to help traders improve their trading skills. LIRUNEX also has a range of payment options available for its clients to use.

However, LIRUNEX also has some drawbacks. The broker has a limited asset offering, as it only offers Forex and CFDs. Additionally, the minimum deposit requirements are relatively higher compared to other brokers. LIRUNEX also only provides users with the option to trade via MetaTrader 4, limiting choices for experienced traders who may prefer other trading platforms. The demo account funding is only available to users registered in certain countries, while the broker's services are only available in certain jurisdictions and not to residents of the United States. Social trading features are also not available on the LIRUNEX trading platform.

Market Instruments

LIRUNEX is a well-established online brokerage firm that caters to the needs of traders worldwide. It offers a comprehensive selection of market instruments to its clients, including Forex, Spot Metals, Indices, Shares, and Energy.

• Forex: LIRUNEX offers a wide range of currency pairs for trading, including major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs.

• Spot Metals: LIRUNEX offers spot trading of precious metals such as gold and silver. Spot trading allows traders to buy and sell these metals at the current market price.

• Indices: LIRUNEX offers trading on a variety of global stock indices, including the S&P 500 index, NASDAQ index, and the Dow Jones Index. Trading indices allows traders to speculate on the performance of a whole stock market, rather than just individual stocks.

• Shares: LIRUNEX offers trading of stocks from various global markets, including the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. Trading on stocks allows traders to invest in well-known companies and earn profits based on their performance.

• Energy: LIRUNEX offers trading of energy products such as crude oil and natural gas. Traders can benefit from price changes in energy markets, which are known for their high volatility.

Account Types

LIRUNEX offers a range of account types to suit the needs of different traders. They have carefully crafted their account types to offer a tailored experience to traders based on their trading level, experience, and financial status. The account types offered by LIRUNEX are Standard, Prime, and Pro.

The Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $/€ 500 and is suitable for novice traders who are new to the market. This type of account offers basic trading conditions, including access to all trading instruments, customer support, educational resources, and trading tools.

The Prime account requires a higher minimum deposit of $/€ 2,000 and is targeted towards traders who have more experience in the market. This account type offers tighter spreads, lower commissions, and additional perks such as exclusive trading signals and faster withdrawals.

The Pro account is the top-tier account type offered by LIRUNEX and requires a minimum deposit of $/€ 10,000. This type of account is geared towards professional traders who require a higher level of trading conditions, including dedicated account managers, advanced trading tools, priority customer support, and lower commissions and favorable market conditions.

All account types offered by LIRUNEX come with negative balance protection, and the MetaTrader 4 trading platform. Additionally, traders can choose from different currency options, EUR or USD.

How to open an account？

Opening an account with LIRUNEX is a straightforward process and can be completed in a few simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to open an account with LIRUNEX:

1. Visit the LIRUNEX website and click on the “Register” button on the top right-hand corner.

2. Fill in the registration form by providing accurate personal details, including your name, email address, and phone number.

3. Select your preferred account type - Standard, Prime, or Pro - and choose your base currency.

4. After filling in the form, you will receive an email to confirm your registration.

5. Next, login to your LIRUNEX account and complete your account verification by uploading the necessary documents. The documents required for verification can be found on the website or by contacting customer support.

6. Once your account is verified, you can fund your account by choosing a payment method that is convenient for you. LIRUNEX provides several payment options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets.

7. After funding your account, you can begin trading by downloading the LIRUNEX trading platform or by using the web-based platform.

8. LIRUNEX provides customers with 24/5 customer support to assist with any issues that may arise during the trading process.

Leverage

As per the regulations by ESMA, the default leverage for retail forex traders is set at a maximum of 1:30, while professional traders are allowed to trade with a higher leverage of up to 1:100.

Leverage refers to the amount of borrowing that a trader can use to open a position in the market. Higher leverage can increase potential profits, but it also comes with higher risk. Professional traders are considered to have a higher level of experience and knowledge of the financial markets, which is why they are often offered higher leverage options.

However, it's important to note that leverage should be used wisely, and traders should always consider the risks involved before trading with high leverage. It's also essential to have a risk management strategy in place to protect your investment in case of unfavourable market conditions.

Spreads & Commissions

LIRUNEX offers a variety of trading account types to suit the needs of different traders. Each account type features different spreads and commission charges. Here, we will explain the available accounts and what they offer in terms of spreads and commissions.

The Standard Account is designed for those who are new to trading or who prefer lower costs. With this account, you can trade with floating spreads that start from 2 pips. The best part is that there are no commissions charged on trades. This account is ideal for beginners who want to start trading with a lower investment.

The Prime Account is designed for those who require tighter spreads and faster trade execution times. With this account, you can trade with floating spreads that start from 0.6 pips, which is significantly lower than the Standard Account. However, this account comes with a commission charge of $8 per lot traded. This account is suitable for traders who require faster trading speeds and lower spreads.

The Pro Account is designed for professional traders who require the tightest spreads possible and access to institutional-grade trading conditions. With this account, you can trade with spreads that start from 0.0 pips, which means that you can trade with almost no spreads! It is important to note that this account comes with a commission charge of $4 per lot traded. This account is ideal for high volume traders who require high-quality trading conditions.

Non-Trading Fees

Apart from trading fees, LIRUNEX also charges some non-trading fees that traders should be aware of. Here are some of the non-trading fees charged by LIRUNEX:

• Deposit Fees - While deposits with LIRUNEX are free of charge, some payment providers may charge you fees for depositing funds. It's important to check with your payment provider to see if they charge any fees.

• Withdrawal Fees - LIRUNEX does not charge any withdrawal fees. However, the payment provider you use to withdraw funds may charge fees. LIRUNEX also waives the first withdrawal fee for its clients each month.

• Inactivity Fees - If there has been no trading activity in your account for a period of 90 days, an inactivity fee of $50 will be charged for each subsequent month until the account is active again.

• Conversion Fees - If you deposit funds in a currency different from the one in which your LIRUNEX account is denominated, you will be charged a conversion fee of 2% of the deposit amount. This fee is charged to cover the costs of converting the funds to your account currency.

• Overnight Financing Fees - LIRUNEX charges overnight financing fees for positions that are held open overnight. These fees can be either positive or negative and depend on the instrument being traded.

Trading Platform

LIRUNEX provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform for its clients. The MT4 platform is available in PC, iOS, and Android versions that allow traders to access their accounts and trade from anywhere, at any time.

MT4 is a well-known and widely-used trading platform globally, known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting features, multiple order types, and the ability to support automated trading strategies like Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also offers a vast array of technical analysis tools that traders can use to make informed decisions.

LIRUNEX provides a range of trading instruments through its MT4 platform, including forex, commodities, and indices. The platform also supports multiple account types, allowing traders to choose the one that suits their needs best.

Deposit & Withdrawal

LIRUNEX supports various payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, including Global, SEPA, Global Transfer, VISA, Mastercard, ePay.bg, GiroPay, Sofort, and Webmoney. Deposits through most payment methods have a minimum deposit requirement of 50. However, the minimum deposit through global transfer is $300.

It is important to note that the processing time for withdrawals can vary depending on the payment method used. Withdrawal requests made through Visa and Mastercard can take up to 10 business days to process. This is due to the nature of these payment methods, which typically involve additional security checks and verification procedures to ensure that the funds are being transferred to the correct account.

Customer Support

LIRUNEX offers several channels of customer support to assist its traders. This includes:

1. Email support, which is available 24/7 and allows traders to submit their questions or concerns to LIRUNEX's support team.

2. Phone support, which is available during business hours and allows traders to speak to a support representative directly.

3. A comprehensive FAQ section on LIRUNEX's website, which provides answers to common questions and concerns about trading with LIRUNEX.

4. In addition to these channels of customer support, LIRUNEX also offers a personal account manager service for premium account holders, which provides dedicated assistance and support for their trading needs.

Educational Resources

LIRUNEX offers a range of educational resources to help traders improve their trading skills and knowledge in the Forex markets. Some of these resources include a beginner's guide, an economic calendar, trading strategies, market analysis, and informative articles.

These resources are designed to help traders understand the fundamental and technical analysis of the Forex markets, as well as to give them an overview of the trading tools and features available on the LIRUNEX platform. By using these resources, traders can better navigate the Forex markets, make more informed trading decisions, and ultimately, achieve their trading objectives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LIRUNEX is a reputable forex broker that offers traders a range of benefits and drawbacks. Its competitive spreads, multiple account types make it an attractive option for traders looking to improve their skills and trading outcomes. However, its limited product offerings, lack of available US trading accounts, and potentially higher withdrawal fees for certain accounts may be disadvantages for some traders. Overall, LIRUNEX provides a secure and regulated trading environment and is worth considering for traders looking for a well-rounded forex broker. As always, traders are advised to conduct thorough due diligence and weigh their options before investing their funds.

FAQs

Q: What regulatory standards does LIRUNEX comply with？

A: LIRUNEX has multiple entities that are regulated by various regulatory authorities, including CySEC, BDF, BaFin, LFSA, and CNMV.

Q: What account types are available at LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX offers three different account types, including Standard, Prime and Pro accounts. Each account type has different features, including minimum deposits, trading conditions, and access to additional tools.

Q: How can I fund my account with LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX offers several different funding options, including Global, SEPA, Global Transfer, VISA, Mastercard, ePay.bg, GiroPay, Sofort,Webmoney,and more.

Q: Does LIRUNEX offer educational resources？

A: Yes, LIRUNEX has a variety of educational resources available for traders of all skill levels, including webinars, video tutorials, eBooks, and more.

Q: How can I get in touch with customer support at LIRUNEX？

A: LIRUNEX customer support is available 24/7 via email, phone, or live chat.

Q: What trading platforms does LIRUNEX offer？

A: LIRUNEX offers two trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform and the Lirunex Trader platform. Both platforms can be used on desktop.