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Monday, September 3, 2007

Premier League Banking; current accounts for the big boys

A premier account is a fee paying bank account that comes with lots of additional benefits and is generally only offered to a bank's wealthier customers. Typically these accounts have names like Gold, Premier or Platinum service accounts.

Almost all banks offer some form of premier banking service to their top tier of customers. They provide a level of service and advice that is superior to that of regular free accounts. A premier banking package offers all the things you would expect to find in a basic account but with the added benefits of financial planning expertise, practical help, first class telephone service and up to the minute wealthy management solutions.

With some premier accounts you will also be assigned a personal banking manager who is always contactable by phone or email for financial advice. They can save you time and hassle in dealing with any financial concerns you may have.

A premier banking account also comes with many benefits not found in a regular current account. These may include features, such as an automatic interest free overdraft facility, the ability to draw money on cheques without having to wait for them to clear, telephone banking that is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and an enhanced online banking system. Most premier bank account services also come with a host of 'freebies' such as free insurance, car breakdown cover and building and contents insurance.

Ultimately, premier accounts are certainly not for everyone, as the monthly fees charged may not necessary outweigh the benefits gained from the account. Certainly for younger account holders who are unlikely to have much need for home insurance, a premier banking service would offer little - if any - benefit. It also must be noted that not all premier banking services are available to all customers. Some have a minimum salary threshold which you must be earning, below which you would not be eligible to join.

However, for higher earning customers the advantages of having access to a financial advisor at all times of the day or night could certainly be beneficial. And with the other bonuses of cheaper or free travel insurance, home insurance and car insurance, it's certainly worth shopping around and seeing whether a premier account could save you time and money.


About the Author
Paul McIndoe is a recent university graduate whose hobbies include water-skiing and rock climbing.

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