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 PBFX？

PBFX is a provider of online trading services focused on Forex currency pairs, stocks, commodities, oil & gas, and cryptocurrencies through MT4 platform. Pribizco currently registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) and the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC).

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

PBFX has several notable pros and cons. On the positive side, PBFX offers a wide range of market instruments and flexible leverage options up to 1:1000, providing traders with various trading opportunities. Additionally, they have multiple account types to suit different trading needs through the leading MT4 platform.

However, there are also some drawbacks. There is limited information on spreads and commissions, which may be a concern for some traders. Additionally, the customer service contact options are limited, and the educational resources and tools provided by PBFX are also limited.

Is PBFX Safe or Scam？

PBFX's registration with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR, License N0. 551686) and the Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC, License No. 269820) indicates that it holds licenses in those jurisdictions. However, it is important to note that these licenses are considered general registered licenses, which may have different regulatory requirements compared to full regulatory licenses.

While registration with these authorities demonstrates some level of compliance, it does not provide the same level of investor protection as full regulatory licenses. Traders should exercise caution and conduct further research to assess PBFX's reputation, track record, and the overall safety of their services before engaging with the platform.

Market Instruments

Pribizco offers investors a wide variety of financial trading assets, mainly Forex currency pairs, stocks, commodities, oil & gas, and cryptocurrencies. The Forex market offers traders the opportunity to participate in the global currency exchange market, allowing them to trade major, minor, and exotic currency pairs. With stocks, traders can access various company shares and participate in the equity markets. Commodities such as gold, silver, oil, and gas provide avenues for diversification and hedging strategies.

Additionally, PBFX enables traders to engage in the growing market of cryptocurrencies, which includes popular digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. This diverse selection of market instruments gives traders the flexibility to explore various trading opportunities and diversify their investment portfolios.

Accounts

PBFX offers traders a choice of three live account types: Cent, Standard, and ECN. The Cent account requires a minimum deposit of $10, making it accessible to traders with smaller capital. The Standard account also has a minimum deposit of $10 and caters to the needs of traders who prefer traditional trading conditions.

On the other hand, the ECN account requires a higher minimum deposit of $1,000 and provides traders with direct access to the market through Electronic Communication Network (ECN) technology, offering enhanced liquidity and potentially lower spreads.

Additionally, PBFX provides free demo accounts with $10,000 in virtual funds, allowing traders to practice their strategies and familiarize themselves with the platform before trading with real money.

Furthermore, PBFX offers swap-free accounts for traders who adhere to Islamic principles. These account options provide flexibility and cater to the diverse needs and preferences of traders.

Leverage

PBFX offers flexible leverage of up to 1:1000 to its traders. This high leverage option allows traders to potentially amplify their trading positions and potential profits. However, it's important to note that trading with high leverage also carries increased risk, as it can amplify potential losses. Traders should exercise caution and carefully manage their risk when utilizing high leverage ratios. PBFX's flexible leverage option provides traders with the ability to choose a leverage level that aligns with their trading strategy and risk tolerance, allowing them to optimize their trading approach.

Spreads & Commissions

PBFX offers competitive spreads on its different account types. For Cent and Standard accounts, the spread is fixed at 1.7 pips, providing traders with a transparent and consistent cost for executing trades. On the other hand, ,ECN accounts have a spread of 0 pips which means traders can access raw interbank spreads and potentially benefit from tighter pricing.

However, PBFX does not provide specific information regarding commissions. Traders are advised to review the broker's terms and conditions or contact customer support to obtain more detailed information about commissions and any additional costs associated with trading on the platform.

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

Please note that the information provided is based on general data and may vary depending on the specific account type and trading conditions offered by each broker. It's always recommended to refer to the official website or contact the broker directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Trading Platforms

PBFX provides a range of trading platforms, primarily focusing on the popular MetaTrader4 (MT4) platform. MT4 is known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting capabilities, and extensive range of technical indicators and analysis tools. Traders can access the MT4 platform on various devices, including Windows and Mac computers, as well as mobile devices running on iOS and Android operating systems. This allows for seamless trading and monitoring of positions on-the-go.

The availability of MT4 across multiple platforms ensures that traders have flexibility and convenience in executing their trades. With its robust features and widespread usage in the industry, MT4 offered by PBFX enables traders to make informed trading decisions and execute their strategies effectively.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

PBFX offers a variety of convenient and secure payment options for both deposits and withdrawals. Traders can fund their accounts using popular methods such as Tether, PayTrust, MTPAY, China UnionPay, and SWIFT. The broker has a low minimum deposit requirement of only $10, making it accessible for traders of different budgets.

PBFX minimum deposit vs other brokers

Moreover, PBFX does not impose any limitations on withdrawal amounts, allowing clients to withdraw their funds as needed. Both deposits and withdrawals are free of charge, eliminating any additional costs for traders.

PBFX also provides a benefit to its clients by offering 3 times free deposit and withdrawal per month, providing flexibility and cost savings. The processing time for deposits and withdrawals is relatively fast, typically taking 1-5 working days, ensuring timely access to funds for traders.

Bonuses

PBFX provides a bonus program that rewards clients based on their initial deposit amounts. Traders can receive bonus amounts depending on the deposited funds, offering an opportunity to enhance their trading capital. For example, depositing $10 will grant a $10 bonus, while depositing $20 will result in a $20 bonus. The bonus amounts increase with larger deposits, with $30 bonus for $30 deposit, $60 bonus for $50 deposit, and $90 bonus for $200 deposit.

It's important to note that the maximum deposit amount eligible for a bonus is $500, and the maximum bonus amount that can be received is $150. This bonus program allows traders to potentially boost their trading funds and take advantage of additional opportunities in the market.

Customer Service

PBFX offers a range of customer support options to assist traders in their journey. Clients can reach out to the broker through 24/5 live chat, phone, and email channels, ensuring prompt and efficient communication. The availability of multiple contact methods allows traders to choose the most convenient option for their needs.

Additionally, PBFX maintains an active presence on popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where traders can follow their updates and engage with the broker's community.

The combination of various customer support channels and social media presence demonstrates PBFX's commitment to providing reliable and accessible support to its clients, enhancing the overall trading experience.

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

Conclusion

In conclusion, PBFX is a forex broker registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) and the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC). They offer a range of market instruments and flexible leverage options, providing trading opportunities for different types of traders.

However, the limited information available on their website, especially regarding spreads and commissions, raises some concerns. The customer service options are also limited, and the educational resources and tools provided by PBFX are not extensive. It is recommended to conduct further research and consider your specific trading needs before choosing PBFX as your forex broker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)