Originally Posted by
pred02
Hi,
I am planning on eventually returning to the UK and I am trying to get my bank account in shape. I currently have a First Reserve account which I left open after my studies in the UK several years back. The account is in good standing.
Should I upgrade to a current account if I am going to live in the UK?
If you mean the First Reserve account from NatWest then I would say yes definitely.
The NatWest First Reserve account is pretty restricted; it doesn't allow you to pay your salary directly into it, nor does it allow checks or Direct Debits.
Having a Direct Debit facility is pretty useful these days, you are going to find it quite difficult to get any reasonable deals with utility companies (gas, electricity, phone, internet etc) without it for example, and some companies won't even sign you up without a Direct Debit.
There are also still occasional situations where having a check book is very useful.