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 Valutrades？

Valutrades is a global online forex and CFD broker that offers trading services for individuals and institutions. The company was established in 2012 and is headquartered in London, UK. Valutrades is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, License No. 586541) in the UK and the Financial Services Authority (offshore FSA, License No. SD028) in Seychelles. The broker offers multiple trading instruments, including Forex, Commodities, and CFDs with competitive spreads through the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platforms.

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

Valutrades is regulated by FCA and offer multiple protection measures. The broker offers competitive spreads on a wide range of tradable instruments on the leading MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, along with excellent customer support.

However, they have limited account options, and some users have reported issues with slippage and withdrawals. Overall, Valutrades is a reputable broker with many positive features, but traders should exercise caution and thoroughly research before investing.

Valutrades Alternative Brokers

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

• AxiCorp - a regulated and well-established broker that offers a range of trading instruments and competitive trading conditions.

• IronFX - a global broker with a wide range of trading instruments and multiple trading platforms, but some traders have reported issues with withdrawal and customer service.

• FP Markets - a reputable broker that offers a variety of trading instruments, low spreads, and reliable trading platforms, making it a good option for both novice and experienced traders.

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

Is Valutrades Safe or Scam？

More details can be found in the screenshot below:

Our Conclusion on Valutrades Reliability:

Based on the protection measures offered, Valutrades appears to be a reliable broker. The company is regulated by the FCA, and it offers guaranteed negative balance protection, banking with top tier institutions, segregated funds, and investor protection up to £85,000 per person. The fully encrypted client area also provides an additional layer of security for clients.

However, 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

Valutrades offers investors access to a variety of over 100 tradable symbols across Forex, commodities, and CFDs. The forex instruments include major, minor, and exotic currency pairs. Commodities such as gold, silver, oil, and natural gas are available for trading. Additionally, the broker offers CFDs on popular indices such as UK100, US30, and GER30. With such a wide range of trading instruments, traders can diversify their trading portfolios and take advantage of different market conditions.

Accounts

Live accounts: Valutrades provides traders with the option to choose from two types of live accounts, Standard and ECN, with no minimum deposit requirement.

Demo accounts: The MetaTrader demo accounts offer a variety of analytical indicators, EA, Economic calendars, and more. Users can set their own limit in terms of virtual funds, but note the account will expire if not used within a month.

Leverage

Valutrades offers multiple leverage levels. The maximum leverage is 1:30 for major Forex, 1:20 for minor currencies, indices, and gold, and 1:10 for crude oil under the regulation of FCA, and 1:500 for crude oil, 1:20 for indices, and 1:100 for indices.

Spreads & Commissions

• Main spreads on Forex: minimum spreads of 0.0 pips on EUR/USD and 0.2 pips on GBPUSD.

• Major spreads for CFD products: 2 pips for DE30, 2 pips for UK100, 0.34 pips for US500, and 1.3 pips for US30.

• Main spreads for commodities: from 0.14 pips for Gold USD, 0.32 pips for Gold EUR, 0.013 pips for Silver USD.

However, traders should note that there is a commission of 3 per lot per side for forex trading.

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

Please note that these figures are subject to change and may vary depending on the specific account type and trading conditions offered by each broker. It's always important to review and compare the spreads and fees of different brokers before making a decision on which one to use.

Trading Platforms

Valutrades offers users a choice of two popular trading platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are available on desktop, mobile and web versions. Both platforms provide advanced charting tools, customizable technical indicators, and a user-friendly interface.

• MT4 is widely recognized as one of the most popular trading platforms in the industry and offers a wide range of features including automated trading, multiple order types, and a comprehensive trading history.

• MT5, on the other hand, is an updated version of MT4, providing more advanced features, including additional order types, a wider range of technical indicators, and the ability to trade in various markets from one platform. Both platforms are highly customizable, and traders can also use Expert Advisors (EAs) to automate their trading strategies.

Overall, Valutrades' 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

Valutrades supports credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfers, etc. There is no minimum deposit for clients to fund via bank transfer or any charges from Valutrades.

Valutrades minimum deposit vs other brokers

However, sometimes a client may incur fees from their bank for sending a deposit to Valutrades. Most deposits are instant, while withdrawals can be processed within 24 hours or as soon as Valutrades approves your request. More details can be found on their website.

See the fee comparison table below:

Note that fees may vary depending on the account type, payment method, and region. Please refer to each broker's website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Customer Service

Valutrades welcome any questions or queries regarding their services and accounts. Multilingual support is based in their head office which is in London, United Kingdom. They are available during office hours via live online chat, phone, WhatsApp, email, or send messages online to get in touch. Besides, you can follow them on some social networks including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. There is also a Help Center on the Valutrades website.

Overall, Valutrades' 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 Valutrades' customer service.

Education

Valutrades offers an education section on their website with a variety of resources aimed at both novice and experienced traders. They offer regular webinars conducted by market experts, which cover various topics related to trading, including technical analysis, risk management, and trading psychology. Additionally, the blog section provides daily market analysis, economic news, and insights into market movements.

The educational materials are designed to help traders enhance their knowledge and skills, develop trading strategies, and make informed trading decisions. These resources can be accessed by anyone, regardless of their account type, and are completely free of charge.

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see that some users have reported severe slippage and unable to withdraw. Please be aware and exercise caution when investing. 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.

Conclusion

Valutrades is a UK-based brokerage firm that offers multiple protection measures to ensure the safety of its clients' funds. It provides over 100 tradable symbols across forex, commodities, and CFDs with competitive trading conditions on the MT4 and MT5 platforms. Multilingual support is also available via various channels.

However, there are reports of severe slippage and difficulties in withdrawing funds from some users, which indicates that potential traders should exercise caution before investing. Overall, Valutrades' strong regulatory framework, diverse trading instruments, and user-friendly platforms make it a reputable brokerage firm worth considering for those looking for a reliable trading partner.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)