Santander or nationwide for student bank account?

I’m weighing up options for starting my first bank account and can’t decide between santander and nationwide? Does anyone have any advice as to which one could be better?

Reply 1

kayziev

personally I went with nationwide, this is because they give you 100 pounds (you could use this on a railcard) and the 120 pounds worth of just eat vouchers. The overdraft is 1000 pounds first year, which is all I’ll need. They also give out 100 pounds yearly I’ve heard?? To me there’s more reasons to pick nationwide but it’s down to personal preference!

Reply 2

mayabee8

Original post by kayziev

Thank you!!

Reply 3

YSJstudents

Official Rep

Original post by mayabee8

I’m weighing up options for starting my first bank account and can’t decide between santander and nationwide? Does anyone have any advice as to which one could be better?

Hi,

I had a nationwide student account. The only reason that I went with them was the overdraft being up to £3000 by the third year. However, looking back I wished I hadn't, as I wasn't as I responsible with money at 19 than I am now at 23 (I'm a masters student), and did end up in my overdraft a lot. I know of quite a few students who have also been in a similar position and got student accounts with large overdrafts, and later regretted it.
The Santander is the bank most of my friends had, and I wished I had as well, as I wouldn't have been tempted to dip into the large overdraft. In the long run I think the Santander account is great, especially if your getting a lot of trains, given that you get a 3 year student railcard. If you feel that you want a overdraft as a 'safety blanket' and you don't get trains often then nationwide would probably be best. If you get trains often then Santander is probably your best option

Suzan - Student Ambassador