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

Founded in 2020, Veracity Markets is a broker operating in South Africa, offering trading services in derivatives, indices, metals, commodities, and shares. However, the broker raises suspicions as it lacks valid regulatory licenses, and the licenses it claims to hold are suspected to be clones. The WikiFX Score for Veracity Markets is low, primarily due to numerous customer complaints regarding withdrawal difficulties, severe slippage, technical issues, and premature trade closures. Customers express frustration with delays in fund withdrawals and cite blown accounts as a result of slippage and technical problems. The broker provides three account types with different features and specifications, including variable spreads and leverage of up to 1:500. Veracity Markets supports the popular MT4 trading platform and offers multiple contact options for customer support. However, the reviews on WikiFX highlight concerns and issues raised by customers, indicating a lack of trust and satisfaction with the broker's services.

Here is the home page of this brokers official site:

Is Veracity Markets Legit？

Veracity Markets is not regulated by any valid regulatory authority based on the information provided. The South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) license number (4701) claimed by Veracity Markets is suspected to be a clone, and the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) license number (40983) is also suspected to be a clone. It is important to be cautious and aware of the potential risks associated with dealing with an unregulated broker.

Pros and Cons

When considering a brokerage like Veracity Markets, it is essential to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. This overview presents the pros and cons of Veracity Markets based on available information and customer feedback. Understanding these aspects can help individuals make informed decisions about whether to engage with the platform. It is important to note that while Veracity Markets offers various market instruments, different account types, and the popular MT4 trading platform, there are concerns regarding its regulatory status, customer complaints related to withdrawals and technical issues, and mixed reviews from users. By examining these pros and cons, individuals can gain a better understanding of Veracity Markets' offerings and potential risks involved.

Market Instruments

Veracity Markets offers various market instruments for trading. Here are the types of market instruments available:

1. Derivative Trading: Veracity Markets provides the opportunity to engage in derivative trading. This involves trading contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset. Traders can trade over 38 major, minor, and exotic pairs.

2. Indices: Veracity Markets provides access to nine global indices. These indices represent a selection of stocks from various industries and regions, allowing traders to speculate on the overall performance of specific markets or sectors.

3. Metals: Traders can trade precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and copper. These metals are known for their value and can serve as a hedge against inflation or economic uncertainty.

4. Commodities: Veracity Markets offers trading opportunities in commodities such as oil, gas, and agricultural products. Trading commodities allows investors to speculate on the price movements of these essential resources.

5. Shares: Veracity Markets provides access to a diverse range of over 150 shares. Traders can choose to invest in shares of different companies, allowing them to participate in the performance of specific industries or corporations.

Account Types

Apart from demo accounts, Veracity Markets also offers investors three different types of accounts, including Standard, Pro, and ECN accounts. The minimum deposit amount for all accounts is $250 or the currency equivalent amount.\

The Standard Account requires an initial deposit of $250 and offers floating spreads starting from 1.6 pips. There are no commissions charged, and the leverage provided is 1:500. Traders can trade with order volumes ranging from 0.01 to 250 lots. The account is compatible with Trading platforms and supports Expert Advisors. There is no maximum limit on the number of open positions, and the execution is done in the market. Additionally, a swap-free option is available for those who require it.

The Pro Account also requires an initial deposit of $250 and offers floating spreads starting from 2 pips. Like the Standard Account, there are no commissions charged, and the leverage provided is 1:500. Traders can trade with order volumes ranging from 0.01 to 250 lots. The Pro Account is compatible with Trading platforms and supports Expert Advisors. Similar to the Standard Account, there is no maximum limit on the number of open positions, and execution is done in the market. The account also provides a swap-free option for interested traders.

The ECN Account requires the same initial deposit of $250 and offers the advantage of floating spreads starting from 0.00 pips. However, a commission of $7 per lot is charged for FX and Metals trades. The leverage offered is 1:500, and traders can trade with order volumes ranging from 0.01 to 250 lots. The account is compatible with Trading platforms and supports Expert Advisors. There is no maximum limit on the number of open positions, and execution is done in the market. However, the swap-free option is not available for the ECN Account.

Leverage

In terms of trading leverage, the maximum trading leverage offered by Veracity Markets is up to 1:500, which is considered high. Since leverage, can amplify both profits as well as losses, choosing the right amount is a key risk determination for traders.

Spreads & Commissions

Veracity Markets offers different spreads and commissions based on the type of account. The Standard account features a floating spread starting from 1.6 pips, while the Pro account has a floating spread starting from 2 pips. The ECN account, on the other hand, offers a spread of 0.0 pips.

In terms of commissions, there are no commissions charged on the Standard and Pro accounts. However, for those with an ECN account, there is a commission of $7 per lot specifically for Forex and Metals trading.

Trading Platform

Veracity Markets provides traders with the renowned MT4 trading platform. MT4 stands as the established benchmark for Forex trading, offering a trading interface that is straightforward to navigate, robust charting tools, and an extensive range of custom indicators to facilitate automated and EA trading. Alongside this, Veracity Markets grants traders the option to select from a variety of MT4 web, desktop, and mobile trading platforms.

Pros and Cons

Deposit & Withdrawal

Deposit: Veracity Markets offers multiple options for traders to deposit funds into their accounts. These methods include bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and popular e-payment methods such as Neteller, Skrill, and Fasapay.

Withdrawal: The platform allows withdrawals to be made to local banks without any additional charges. However, for withdrawals using other methods like Skrill and Neteller, Veracity Markets applies a 2% fee on the total withdrawal amount. It's important for traders to take this fee into consideration when planning their withdrawals.

Customer Support

Clients can reach out to Veracity Markets through their website's “Contact Us” section, where they are required to provide their name, email address, phone number, and a message detailing their inquiry. By collecting these details, Veracity Markets ensures that they can respond promptly to customer requests.

For customers in South Africa, Veracity Markets provides multiple contact options. Clients can utilize the phone number +27 (0) 87 012 5545 or reach out to specific departments via email, such as help@veracitymarkets.com for general assistance, finance@veracitymarkets.com for financial inquiries, compliance@veracitymarkets.com for compliance-related matters, partners@veracitymarkets.com for partnership inquiries, and media@veracitymarkets.com for media-related queries.

Veracity Markets also offers two physical addresses in South Africa, located at 155 West Street, Sandown, Sandton, 2031, and 80 Strand Street, Cape Town, 8000. These addresses serve as additional points of contact, enabling clients to visit their offices if required.

Reviews

The reviews on WikiFX regarding Veracity Markets highlight several concerns and issues raised by customers. Some customers express frustration regarding difficulties with withdrawals, stating that they were unable to withdraw their funds or faced delays in the withdrawal process. Others mention severe slippage and technical issues, resulting in account losses or blown accounts. There are also complaints about trades being closed prematurely and deposit-related problems. Overall, these reviews indicate a lack of trust and satisfaction with Veracity Markets' services, particularly regarding withdrawal processes, slippage, and technical issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Veracity Markets presents both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, they offer a range of market instruments for trading, including derivatives, indices, metals, commodities, and shares. They provide three different account types with various features and specifications, catering to different trading preferences. The maximum trading leverage of 1:500 offered by Veracity Markets is relatively high. They also support the popular MT4 trading platform, known for its user-friendly interface and robust charting tools. In terms of customer support, Veracity Markets offers multiple contact options and physical addresses for clients to reach out or visit if needed.

However, it is important to note that Veracity Markets is not regulated by any valid regulatory authority based on the information provided. The license numbers claimed by Veracity Markets from the South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) are suspected to be clones, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the broker. Additionally, the reviews on WikiFX highlight customer complaints regarding difficulties with withdrawals, severe slippage, technical issues, premature trade closures, and deposit-related problems. These reviews suggest a lack of trust and satisfaction with Veracity Markets' services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)