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Santander: Basic current account reviews

Name: Basic current account
Rating: 4.1 (323 reviews)

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4.10

Based on 323 reviews, last reviewed 6th Apr 2026

1300% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

53%

20%

13%

11%

Latest highest rating:

5

Simple banking without frills, fluff or fees I have been with Santander for many years, a legacy from Alliance & Leicester. My current account offers straightforward simple banking without unnece... Read more Reviewed on: 6th April 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

They are so rude, they mess up and don't hold themse... They are so rude, they mess up and don't hold themselves accountable for the issues that they have caused. Putting there customers into debt and not a... Read more Reviewed on: 4th March 2025

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About this product

The Santander Basic current account is for people who’ve been turned down for another current account, have a poor credit history, or are new to the UK for work or study.

The Basic current account has a contactless debit card, basic banking facilities, mobile banking as well as no fees for using Santander cash machines abroad.

Santander Basic account reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Santander before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

Santander Basic current account reviews (323)

Review of the Santander, Basic current account:

Great Bank

I have been with them for years, always find them great, even the call centres :) Reviewed on: 22nd November 2019

Won't let me change from an alliance and Leicester account!

Long term alliance and Leicester customer so we hen hot changed over tried to change to Santander account. Wouldn't let me have one as I don't have passport or driving licence so I have a Santander account number an alliance and Leicester account apcash card I'm dreading breaking and a very confusing situation! Reviewed on: 19th February 2016

Can't complain.

I've had no problem with them and their customer service is great, I would recommend it. Reviewed on: 19th February 2016

Never had any problems.

I have had an account with Santander for about 8 years now and never had any problems with them. I use the online banking to manage my account and everything is really straight forward and easy to use. Reviewed on: 19th February 2016

Been with them for many many years and no complaints

Having had financial difficulties many years ago, they were amazing and spent hours with me sorting it all out and finding the right services and account for me. I have never had any complaints and I was even with Abbey national before the takeover, very happy. Reviewed on: 18th February 2016

a good service

twenty years or so and only ever had a few fraud problems which santander quickly resolved Reviewed on: 18th February 2016

Just what you want from a bank.

I have never had a problem with Santander in the 10 years I have been using them (very much unlike another bank I have used in the past!). They are always on hand to answer your questions and they are very upfront. When they changed my bank account from a graduate account to a basic current account they kept me updated via post regularly and all information was clear and in customer-speak. Reviewed on: 16th February 2016

HMM HAD MY ISSUES

Invasive cashiers asking what YOUR transactions are, bank charges disputed in the past! Reviewed on: 16th February 2016

Cap on refund charges

I hate my bank as when I was ill and got into a cycle of bank charges. One of their customer service advisers said that if I got a letter from my doctor they would reverse all charges. I got the letter sent it in and suddenly was told their was a cap on what they would refund! Reviewed on: 16th February 2016

Bad experience, no overdraft, no problem?

Santander was my first bank i ever used for a basic direct debit account... everything was fine until i received a letter in the post saying that i had gone 'overdrawn' for a recent purchase. What i found was that i was allowed to use my card to purchase an item when i had nothing left in my account. I never agreed for a overdraft but they said they would charge my each day until i could pay the money back. As this was my first banking experience i was horrified! Since changing to Barclays i have had no problems what so ever, even if i tried to pay for something with nothing in my account, it wouldn't let me. Reviewed on: 15th February 2016

standard good customer service, no troubles, good bank

never had any issues with santander, been banking with them since i was a teenager and never had any reason to leave, also use the credit card which gives good rewards Reviewed on: 15th February 2016

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