How to choose your high street bank

Choosing your bank might not seem like a big deal. After all, most banks offer similar rates on their current and savings accounts. However, they do differentiate on a number of other offerings that can make a substantial difference in the way you bank.

Interest free overdraft - This is an important factor to take into consideration especially if you are someone who is likely to go red on your account on a regular basis. An account with at least £250 -500 buffer will give you the comfort of banking more freely. It also helps whenever you are short of money and need cash urgently. This will allow you to go overdrawn without seeking permission from the bank.
Authorised overdraft - This is the amount that you can negotiate if you think you will need to go overdrawn on the account. Some banks take advantage of their customers and levy a substantial interest on this overdraft while others are more generous, so it is best to check which banks is lenient and which aren't.
Advice - Customer support is always an important aspect of banking. Some banks are better at this than others.
Opening deposit - Most banks allow you to open accounts with as little as £1, but some may require more. Its best to check with the bank to confirm this.
Minimum monthly deposit on current accounts - Some accounts, especially those that pay higher interest require a substantial minimum monthly payment. You have to be sure of what will happen if you were not able to meet this requirement at any time.
Online banking - do they offer online banking so you could transfer money, pay bills.