Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

New Bank of Ireland fees to hit more customers

  • 22-12-2010 10:31am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,195 ✭✭✭✭


    New BoI fees to hit more customers
    By Charlie Weston Personal Finance Editor
    Wednesday December 22 2010


    BAILED-out Bank of Ireland was accused last night of squeezing its one million customers for extra income.

    Days before Christmas, the bank has admitted it has made changes which will result in some customers paying fees and charges for the first time.

    Up to now, customers were able to avoid the fees by making minimal use of their bank account. But now the bank will impose fees on current account customers who fail to meet stringent new rules.

    Customers will have to make at least nine payments every quarter through their current accounts. If they do not meet this target they will be hit with charges and fees for using their bank accounts.

    Last night the bank admitted that the changes due to come into effect in February are likely to see thousands of current account customers paying fees for the first time.

    At the moment anyone who keeps a balance of at least €500 in their current account or makes three payments every three months qualifies for free banking.

    But from February 21, account holders will have to have at least €1,000 a month going into their account and make nine payments or more every quarter.

    Customers who do not meet the new criteria will be charged 28c per transaction.

    A spokeswoman for the bank admitted it was attempting to pass on some of the costs of running current accounts to its customers, despite the bank getting €3.5bn from taxpayers in a bailout.

    Qualify

    But it insisted that the majority of its customers would still qualify for free banking using its Pay As You Go and Flat Fee current accounts.

    Last night, the radical change in the terms and conditions of bank's current account was condemned by Dermott Jewell of the Consumers' Association.

    Mr Jewell, the chief executive of the independent consumer lobby group, accused the bank of hitting consumers on the double.

    Source: Independent.ie

    Bad news for anyone in BoI who gets paid fortnightly / monthly surely.

    Means a lodgement practically every week to quality for "free banking".


«1345

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭jester77


    Sounds like salary coming in and 3 transactions a month would cover it.

    So rent/mortgage, credit card payment and 1 utility bill should cover it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭pawrick


    Just read on Aertel that they are making it more difficult for people to have free day to day fees on their current accounts.

    Increasing the minimum balance required from 500 to 3000, minimum amount going in must be 1000 per month and also the number of payments per 3 month period increased from 3 to 9 to qualify!!!! Basically most current account holders who now have reduced fees will no longer.

    This is in effect a tax on people who can least afford it - well done BOI this will really help the peoples opinion of your business doing it at this time.

    http://www.rte.ie/aertel/106-01.html

    and here too

    http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/bank-of-ireland-introduces-more-charges-486598.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    Moved to Banking & Insurance & Pensions and merged with existing thread

    dudara


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    jester77 wrote: »
    Sounds like salary coming in and 3 transactions a month would cover it.

    So rent/mortgage, credit card payment and 1 utility bill should cover it?

    yep, very easily covered.
    I don't think this is a big deal at all tbh. Just media jumping on the "fuck the banks" bandwagon again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,747 ✭✭✭pawrick


    I think it's a big deal as I don't leave money sitting in my current account but now I'm going to be affected by the charges unless I leave a min of 3000 sitting there every month - it's pretty wasteful leaving money sitting in a current account when there are better rates elsewhere. I also know a lot of people who would be unemployed and would not have 1000 euro coming in, married couples too who have separate bank accounts may not have that many transactions etc. the least affected would be single working people. Alll in all it won't greatly affect me but I think it will hit the people who can least afford it most and it's just bad PR from a company which could do with it the least.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 163 ✭✭jamezy


    Does anyone know of a fairer bank or at least a bank with slightly less BS charges? Considering switching from BOI.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    All the other banks are going to follow this move


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,845 ✭✭✭Jet Black


    Still fee free with no hoops to jump through with Ulster bank. I closed my current account with BOI in 2007 and have not paid a cent on my current account since then.

    BOIs stricter criteria means they are only giving out a fraction of mortgages, loans and credit cards. Current account holders are now pretty much paying for the banks falling profits. Its going to be a return to the complacent banking system we had ten years ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 Mundane


    Jet Black wrote: »
    Still fee free with no hoops to jump through with Ulster bank. I closed my current account with BOI in 2007 and have not paid a cent on my current account since then.

    BOIs stricter criteria means they are only giving out a fraction of mortgages, loans and credit cards. Current account holders are now pretty much paying for the banks falling profits. Its going to be a return to the complacent banking system we had ten years ago.

    Do Ulster Bank still offer "no fee" current accounts to new customers? What's their online banking like?

    While I'd meet the criteria of BoI, I'm not impressed with their actions and I'm seriously considering a move.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    I'm a bit confused about these new charges. Myself and my husband have just opened a joint current account with BOI. We still have our own current accounts where our salaries are paid into and our respective personal loans, credit cards etc are paid through.

    Our plan was to move all household expenses (utilities, shopping, mortgage, insurance, toll tag etc) over to the new account and we'd both pay in a fixed amount every month, probably around €200/300 each.

    So with these new charges, would I be better transferring €1000 over every month, paying my credit card from the joint account, transferring an amount for savings etc and using it for our joint household expenses?

    Would this be sufficient to avoid the charges or do I need to keep a balance of €1000 per month/€3000 per quarter in the account? I wouldn't even have that kind of balance in my own current account after being paid and then paying bills, saving money etc.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,636 ✭✭✭dotsman


    basquille wrote: »
    Bad news for anyone in BoI who gets paid fortnightly / monthly surely.

    Means a lodgement practically every week to quality for "free banking".
    Don't think you are understanding what the conditions are. You have to make 9 transactions every 3 months. That's 3 transactions a month. Anybody not doing 3 transactions per month on an account is not using that account.
    pawrick wrote: »
    Basically most current account holders who now have reduced fees will no longer.
    Basically, most current account holders will not be affected. Only those who never really use their accounts need be concerned.
    pawrick wrote: »
    This is in effect a tax on people who can least afford it - well done BOI this will really help the peoples opinion of your business doing it at this time.
    This is not a tax on poor people. This is a business charging customers who are currently costing the business a lot of money.
    pawrick wrote: »
    I think it's a big deal as I don't leave money sitting in my current account but now I'm going to be affected by the charges unless I leave a min of 3000 sitting there every month
    Why not just use your account? Carrying out the most basic, mundane actions on the account will mean it's still free.
    Jet Black wrote: »
    Still fee free with no hoops to jump through with Ulster bank. I closed my current account with BOI in 2007 and have not paid a cent on my current account since then.
    Ulster bank will follow. Free banking is a loss leader. It was a ridiculous concept that was introduced by the foreign banks, championed by the media and drove the irish banks to where they are today.
    Jet Black wrote: »
    BOIs stricter criteria means they are only giving out a fraction of mortgages, loans and credit cards.
    Not quite sure where this came from. One has little to do with the other.
    Jet Black wrote: »
    Current account holders are now pretty much paying for the banks falling profits. Its going to be a return to the complacent banking system we had ten years ago.
    Yes, generally, it does fall on customers to provide a company with profits. I believe that may be the reason why businesses are started in the first place.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,316 ✭✭✭✭amacachi


    Must one also have at least a grand in to avoid the fees? That'll rape a fair few students withdrawing a tenner at a time unless the student accounts are being left unaffected.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    Ive been considering leaving BOI for a long time to go to the Ulster bank. Looks like this is the clincher, will move all my banking from them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    Donate 10 cent every money to three charities of your choice ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,328 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    dotsman wrote: »
    Basically, most current account holders will not be affected. Only those who never really use their accounts need be concerned.
    ...
    This is not a tax on poor people. This is a business charging customers who are currently costing the business a lot of money.

    So how much does it cost to maintain an account that has 8 or less payments in a quarter?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭joeKel73


    I looks like these charges will only be felt by those who can least afford it. :mad: Students, unemployed and those on low wages will not have €1000 sitting in their account.

    I'm a student and will be looking at other options now.

    EDIT: Just heard on radio that student accounts are exempt!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,636 ✭✭✭dotsman


    amacachi wrote: »
    Must one also have at least a grand in to avoid the fees? That'll rape a fair few students withdrawing a tenner at a time unless the student accounts are being left unaffected.

    It's (maintain a minimum balance of 3,000 throughout the quarter) OR (have minimum 3,000 lodged to account over the quarter and 9 transactions)

    This is on standard current accounts. It has nothing to do with student/graduate/pensioner etc accounts.
    Dodge wrote: »
    So how much does it cost to maintain an account that has 8 or less payments in a quarter?

    About the same as an account with lots of transactions and/or a high credit balance, except the bank actually get to make a little bit of money out of those accounts.
    foto joe wrote: »
    I looks like these charges will only be felt by those who can least afford it. :mad: Students, unemployed and those on low wages will not have €1000 sitting in their account.

    I'm a student and will be looking at other options now.

    EDIT: Just heard on radio that student accounts are exempt!
    I'm not sure where you are getting the "€1,000 sitting in their account". It only has to be lodged. Even someone living entirely on Social Welfare will be able to lodge €1,00 per month.

    AS I said before, this only impacts people who are no using their accounts. Regardless of how rich/poor, young/old etc a person is. They can easily meet these criteria if they are bothered.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,845 ✭✭✭Jet Black


    dotsman wrote: »
    Ulster bank will follow. Free banking is a loss leader. It was a ridiculous concept that was introduced by the foreign banks, championed by the media and drove the irish banks to where they are today.

    I also believe they will, but at the moment its still free. It was far from a ridiculous concept. At the time banks were raking it in. I hardly think it was free current accounts that has got the banks to were they are today.

    Not quite sure where this came from. One has little to do with the other.

    Not really, banks could afford to offer free banking. This was thanks to the interest charged on their other products.


    Yes, generally, it does fall on customers to provide a company with profits. I believe that may be the reason why businesses are started in the first place.

    No need for the smart answer. Not the point I was even making. My point is customers are now paying even more for the mistakes of the bank.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭joeKel73


    dotsman wrote: »
    I'm not sure where you are getting the "€1,000 sitting in their account". It only has to be lodged. Even someone living entirely on Social Welfare will be able to lodge €1,00 per month.

    Ok I miss read that. I still don't agree with you though.

    Someone on the full dole would be on €188 x ~4weeks = ~€752/month.
    As a student I'd have even less than that going in.
    dotsman wrote: »
    Regardless of how rich/poor, young/old etc a person is. They can easily meet these criteria if they are bothered.

    I am bothered - how do I meet the criteria?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,636 ✭✭✭dotsman


    Jet Black wrote: »
    I also believe they will, but at the moment its still free. It was far from a ridiculous concept. At the time banks were raking it in. I hardly think it was free current accounts that has got the banks to were they are today.
    Don't get me wrong, free banking on it's own didn't bring about the collapse of the banks. However it was a symptom of the crisis to come. Faced by pressure from incoming competitors as well as the media, banks offered free banking as a loss leader, making up that money on large-scale lending, the majority of which was to property developers.

    When a business starts offering one of its main products for free, questions have to be asked. It's no different to supermarkets offering bread, milk and cereals etc for free or restaurants offering the main course for free.

    Jet Black wrote: »
    Not really, banks could afford to offer free banking. This was thanks to the interest charged on their other products.
    Yes, primarily property development loans. With regards personal lending, again due to competitive/media pressure, banks made/make a lot less per euro lent than they did. Indeed, a lot of the money lent out has now turned out to be loss-making (tracker mortgages etc)

    Jet Black wrote: »
    No need for the smart answer. Not the point I was even making. My point is customers are now paying even more for the mistakes of the bank.
    But they are not paying "more". They are paying less than what they used to (prior to the banking bad years of the last 5-10 years). The fact of the matter is that they should have been paying all along.
    foto joe wrote: »
    Ok I miss read that. I still don't agree with you though.

    Someone on the full dole would be on €188 x ~4weeks = ~€752/month.
    As a student I'd have even less than that going in.



    I am bothered - how do I meet the criteria?

    As a student, you should have a student account. Therefore this does not affect in you in any way.

    With regards the social welfare recipient, they would receive €188*13 = €2,444 per quarter. That leaves them €556 short over a 13 week period. However, many social welfare recipients are in receipt of other payments, child benefit, single parent allowance, rent allowance, fuel allowance etc. Most welfare recipients will be in receipt of a lot more than the €2,444 per quarter.

    Finally, if all else fails and a customer happens to be one of the very few who have income of less than €3,000 per quarter, there's nothing to stop them lodging money, withdrawing it and lodging it again.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 240 ✭✭NWPat


    Bank charges are a joke, more and more people are banking online doing their own account administration. The bank earns interest on your deposits and should pay you interest. In my opinion only accounts in debt should be subject to charges. This is just an attempt to make the average punter pay for the mistakes the bank has made.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7 MsUnderhill


    jester77 wrote: »
    Sounds like salary coming in and 3 transactions a month would cover it.

    So rent/mortgage, credit card payment and 1 utility bill should cover it?

    Not if you're paying them all by direct debit - from the new terms and conditions:

    "3. Direct debits and Standing orders do not qualify as valid transactions for the purpose of this offer."

    updated terms and conditions in full are available here

    It's nor an 'and/or' situation - it's a minimum of €3000 lodgement AND 9 debit transactions - only debit transactions I have that are NOT direct debits is my VISA bill - so that's 3 qualifying transactions. Plus one more for my phone bill (every two months). Looks like no free banking for me unless I find some new debits to make.

    Suspect there will be quite a few BOI account holders in the same boat :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 44,195 ✭✭✭✭Basq


    It's nor an 'and/or' situation - it's a minimum of €3000 lodgement AND 9 debit transactions - only debit transactions I have that are NOT direct debits is my VISA bill - so that's 3 qualifying transactions. Plus one more for my phone bill (every two months). Looks like no free banking for me unless I find some new debits to make.
    Think you mean balance.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7 MsUnderhill


    basquille wrote: »
    Think you mean balance.

    "Over the course of a fee quarter, lodge at least €3,000 to your Personal Current Account AND make 9 debit payments from that account using Banking 365 Phone and/or Online.
    (This is the equivalent of €1,000 net salary lodgement per month and 3 payments made per month)

    Or

    Maintain a minimum credit balance of €3,000 in your Personal Current Account throughout the full fee quarter "
    from BOI T&Cs


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,328 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    Suspect there will be quite a few BOI account holders in the same boat :(

    My wife is certainly. All payments made by direct debit.

    We'll see if the banks are willing to compete again if one of them cmes out with a no fees type advertsing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭delos


    Currently, when I get paid I go online and move money between two current accounts three times back and forth and that covers my free banking (overkill I know but I forgot one month and was quite annoyed about paying fees). In the new year I'll just do that 9 times rather than 3 times and be sorted. I might have to move a grand over and back a few times rather than the €1 I do at the moment as I'm not sure if it is €3000 per account or just €3000. I suspect the former.

    Where it will get sticky is if you don't have a job because that €3000 a quarter lodgement will be hard to make - so it is harder for the less well off to manage but 20 years here has taught me that this is always the way it will be with the poorer sections of spciety picking up the bill. If I lose my job I'll probably leave the account dormant or close it because those 28 cent wil add up.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭joeKel73


    dotsman wrote: »
    Most welfare recipients will be in receipt of a lot more than the €2,444 per quarter.

    I'd be v surprised if that's true!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,636 ✭✭✭dotsman


    foto joe wrote: »
    I'd be v surprised if that's true!

    Why is that so hard to believe? The only people who receive jobseeker's allowance only are those who are single, have no children and still live with their parents. Renting a place? That's rent supplement. Own a place? That's Mortgage Allowance and/or mortgage interest supplement. Have a child? That's an increase in your jobseeker's and child benefit. Have a child and not married (and typically the woman)? That's Single Parent's Allowance.

    There's a tonne of different welfare payments, of which jobseeker's is only one. I would imagine most unemployed people are in receipt of several different schemes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,328 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    Any chance you could find data to back it up?

    Don't forget that most unemployed with spouse working are entitled to far less than €180 pw

    (oh and we're off the point here...)


  • Advertisement
  • Administrators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,957 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Toots


    Dodge wrote: »
    Any chance you could find data to back it up?

    Don't forget that most unemployed with spouse working are entitled to far less than €180 pw

    (oh and we're off the point here...)

    Indeed we are :)

    Let's try and keep it on topic everyone.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 531 ✭✭✭macjohn


    delos wrote: »
    Currently, when I get paid I go online and move money between two current accounts three times back and forth and that covers my free banking (overkill I know but I forgot one month and was quite annoyed about paying fees). In the new year I'll just do that 9 times rather than 3 times and be sorted. I might have to move a grand over and back a few times rather than the €1 I do at the moment as I'm not sure if it is €3000 per account or just €3000. I suspect the former.

    Where it will get sticky is if you don't have a job because that €3000 a quarter lodgement will be hard to make - so it is harder for the less well off to manage but 20 years here has taught me that this is always the way it will be with the poorer sections of spciety picking up the bill. If I lose my job I'll probably leave the account dormant or close it because those 28 cent wil add up.

    Will this just mean everyone will just break up their payments? example if your credit card bill is say €900 then make 3 X €300 payments instead of one €900 payment. (nothing in the terms and conditions so far to suggest that multiple payments to same account aren't allowed to count in the 9 per quarter)

    (Als0 my current account is my main account but because most transactions are via standing orders and direct debts I wouldn't normally make 9 extra online transactions a quarter - I would still contend that I am actively using the account)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,765 ✭✭✭Jessibelle


    Does the 28c per transaction include direct debit payments? I wouldn't meet these new criteria for free banking and tbh would only now keep my BOI account for convienience for the dd set up on it, but if I'm going to be charged 28c for each payment out, the account will be closed and I'll set them up elsewhere.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    Im really confused? So Direct debits/standing orders dont count as transactions? Also i thought it was a minimum of 1,000e a quarter you had to have in your current account, and you have to lodge 3,000e a quarter as well to receive free banking?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    I think excluding direct debits and standing orders is mean spirited and deliberately designed to catch most current account holders out. I'd imagine most people now pay utility bills as well as most other bills by direct debit and standing order. Also if dd's and so's and atm/laser transactions don't count then what does count?

    Also, if most people use online banking now, I certainly do, then why is there an administration fee of 28c on transactions as the banks aren't actually providing us with the service directly via staff at a branch.

    I'm going to ring the consumer agency this morning about it because I'm totally confused.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 220 ✭✭skinner2x


    macjohn wrote: »
    Will this just mean everyone will just break up their payments? example if your credit card bill is say €900 then make 3 X €300 payments instead of one €900 payment. (nothing in the terms and conditions so far to suggest that multiple payments to same account aren't allowed to count in the 9 per quarter)

    (Als0 my current account is my main account but because most transactions are via standing orders and direct debts I wouldn't normally make 9 extra online transactions a quarter - I would still contend that I am actively using the account)

    http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/banks-happy-to-play-role-of-pantomime-villain-for-a-fee-2471597.html

    well if I read it right , you'll need a min of 1000 € balance/month.
    So if direct debits and standings orders don't count as transactions under the 9 payments, how can they charge them as transaction?
    to me its looks like an attempt to gain some capital in the banks. The more of those 1000's they have , the more they can lend out.
    It sticks in the craw, but these might be the kind of things that will free up credit again for businesses...


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    yep, very easily covered.
    I don't think this is a big deal at all tbh. Just media jumping on the "fuck the banks" bandwagon again.

    You've a very short sighted view, :rolleyes:

    Take an unemployed person,
    - They are not going to have the amount of money coming into their account needed to meet the requirments

    - As they are unemployed they are less likely to have internet access at home, factor in the lack of availability of internet access in Ireland this means they are unlikely to be using on-line banking.

    In addition to the above they will likely lodge and pay bills on the same day they collection their social welfare, they will likely do this by physically visiting the bank.

    So bottom line is they are very unlikely to meet the requirments to avoid the 28c per transaction fee.

    In short, the people that can least afford these charges will get nailed for them.

    Yes its not a big deal...for those with internet access and in steady employment. The consumer associations comments are spot on in relation to this issue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭Obliq


    Cabaal wrote: »
    You've a very short sighted view, :rolleyes:

    Take an unemployed person,
    - They are not going to have the amount of money coming into their account needed to meet the requirments

    - As they are unemployed they are less likely to have internet access at home, factor in the lack of availability of internet access in Ireland this means they are unlikely to be using on-line banking.

    In addition to the above they will likely lodge and pay bills on the same day they collection their social welfare, they will likely do this by physically visiting the bank.

    So bottom line is they are very unlikely to meet the requirments to avoid the 28c per transaction fee.

    In short, the people that can least afford these charges will get nailed for them.

    Yes its not a big deal...for those with internet access and in steady employment. The consumer associations comments are spot on in relation to this issue.

    Thank you Cabaal - That's me in a nutshell....except I HAVE internet, just don't want to be forced into 365 online banking. I haven't enough coming in to meet the free banking criteria, and am demeaned by the suggestion given to me by the customer complaints section in BOI that I should escape the charges by moving money between accounts (I have ONE account, in order not to pay charges on two). This is clearly a way to herd out the less well off - otherwise why not slap transaction charges on everybody? And while they're at it, the Govt. should slap on a (weighted?) tax on transactions to claw back some money from the banks....although I realise that would automatically be passed on to the people, I would agree to the charges if they were for EVERYBODY.
    As of today, I have cancelled all direct debits and am closing my account. I will exist without a cash card, and will pay bills in cash. Credit Union here I come! I refuse to take this insult lying down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,026 ✭✭✭Gulliver


    Lest I get trampled by all the people on high horses on this thread.... this is a big deal to some people.

    I won't qualify for free banking. I get €7.10 JA a week. As my wife works over 29 hours a week, I don't get mortgage allowance. No children.

    The snobby attitude of some people on here is just ridiculous. I don't want to be on the fcuking dole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,339 ✭✭✭How Strange


    OK, I just rang BOI to check what it all means as I have two current a/cs; one personal and one joint. I also have a BOI cr card and two savings accounts.

    She said to qualify for free banking I would have to do either of these two scenarios:
    a) have a balance of €3k per quarter or
    b) lodge €1k per month and have at least 9 transactions/payments per quarter done over banking 365 or phone self service banking so mobile top ups, payments to credit cards, transfers to other accounts qualify. DD's and SO's, laser and atm transactions don't qualify as payments. That seems very bizarre to me and as I said previously, intentionally mean spirited and calculated on behalf of BOI management.

    The 9 transactions can all be done on the one day and you have to do the 9 transactions (transfer money between your accounts, credit card etc) over internet banking or phone self service.

    So essentially it seems to be an exercise in moving money between your accounts.

    I'm not saying its not a big deal for some people as perhaps alot of people are pinned to their collar and if they get €1k per month it could disappear as fast as it appears into their account. I must check with my parents if they have a BOI current account as my mam in particular would never use internet banking.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭Obliq


    You can sing it buddy! Hang in there...


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,537 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    Take an unemployed person,
    - They are not going to have the amount of money coming into their account needed to meet the requirments
    withdraw it and lodge it hte next day
    - As they are unemployed they are less likely to have internet access at home, factor in the lack of availability of internet access in Ireland this means they are unlikely to be using on-line banking.
    phone banking
    Cabaal wrote: »
    In addition to the above they will likely lodge and pay bills on the same day they collection their social welfare, they will likely do this by physically visiting the bank.

    So bottom line is they are very unlikely to meet the requirments to avoid the 28c per transaction fee.

    In short, the people that can least afford these charges will get nailed for them.

    Yes its not a big deal...for those with internet access and in steady employment. The consumer associations comments are spot on in relation to this issue.
    28c per trans is still good value for easy ATM access, debit and/or credit cards and all the other services offered IMO.
    If you still want it free just move bank...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 220 ✭✭skinner2x




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭Obliq


    withdraw it and lodge it hte next day

    phone banking

    28c per trans is still good value for easy ATM access, debit and/or credit cards and all the other services offered IMO.
    If you still want it free just move bank...

    But wealthier people will have free banking. I don't object to transaction fees, just that it's insulting and demeaning that my bank would require me to do that, when better off people don't have to fart around with stupid little lodgements to escape them. I'm leaving BOI. Cancelled my direct debits yesterday and will return to paying bills in cash.....also phoned customer complaints (rather than laying it on my local bank teller!) and gave them an earful.

    BOI won't miss my account, which regularly hovers around 500 (lone parent of 2 kids, yes, one of THOSE!), but they will miss my father and brother who are also leaving on principal.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭Obliq


    withdraw it and lodge it hte next day

    phone banking

    28c per trans is still good value for easy ATM access, debit and/or credit cards and all the other services offered IMO.
    If you still want it free just move bank...

    ...and as for withdraw and lodge the next day, you are imagining someone who does not have to wait for the child benefit to pay the bills, and does not have to buy food/petrol/fuel 5 mins after the lone parents comes in, right?
    On any given thursday, I have less than 50 cash after these requirements to last through the week while supporting 2 kids. I am not complaining or whinging - this is my life, and I'm proud as hell at how well I manage my money and avoid debt. That is why it is all the more INSULTING that this charge should ONLY be for the likes of me, in terms of wealth.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭flutered


    many moons ago when we decided to move to the credit union it lookes as tho we made the correct call, admittedly their interest on deposits are not great, their interest on loans ditto, but one gets quite amount of free banking.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,371 ✭✭✭Obliq


    flutered wrote: »
    many moons ago when we decided to move to the credit union it lookes as tho we made the correct call, admittedly their interest on deposits are not great, their interest on loans ditto, but one gets quite amount of free banking.

    That's exactly where I'm going flutered! It'll be inconvenient, in terms of no cash card or cheque books, but at least I'll be valued as a classless human, unlike the 2nd class human BOI have just catagorised me as.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,710 ✭✭✭flutered


    Obliq wrote: »
    That's exactly where I'm going flutered! It'll be inconvenient, in terms of no cash card or cheque books, but at least I'll be valued as a classless human, unlike the 2nd class human BOI have just catagorised me as.
    they do have cash cards, if you need a loan you get it no probs, if one fall behind they will not harass you, i posted here on boards a long time ago that if people voted with their feet the banks would cop on, a customer should be able to use a banking facility not the other way around.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,328 ✭✭✭✭Dodge


    Not all have bank cards in fairness.

    Still a great facility


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,536 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    withdraw it and lodge it hte next day

    People have bills to pay, many people will get money from postoffice and pay bills and IF they have any left they will lodge it in the bank.

    Given people are already living on feck all waiting a day isn't really a do-able solution when you have to buy food.
    phone banking

    Suggestion makes no sense,
    They are already likely to be able to physically visit the bank so why should they waste money calling a non-freephone number? Also they likely paid the ESB etc in the post office
    28c per trans is still good value for easy ATM access, debit and/or credit cards and all the other services offered IMO.

    Hmm not really.
    28c fee has no affect on your credit card,
    You still pay credit card goverment levy 30-40e, you still pay laser card levy of 7e to the gov.

    28c a transaction can mount up very very quickly and adds alot of needless costs to a person already in money trouble. Its the same as a 4e reduction in the social welfare creates problems for people.

    tbh your not actually thinking through how it will affect people who are on the breadline already, these people don't want to be on the dole but they have to live at the same time and extra bill can cause them problems.


  • Advertisement
This discussion has been closed.
Advertisement