Review your charges every year and ask your bank manager to suggest how you could reduce your charges based on this report. You can also save yourself some cash by putting several cheques received onto one paying-in slip. Automate as much as possible - standing orders, direct debit and BACs payments are usually cheaper than cheques. Avoid unauthorised overdrafts You can fall into this even without appearing to go overdrawn, for instance, if you make payments before cheques paid in have had a chance to clear, this usually takes three working days. Consider alternative types of account.
Some banks offer telephone banking which is much cheaper .
You can then transfer money back to your current account as required. You may have to use another bank to get good interest rates. Look at the big picture Try to negotiate an overall charge scheme rather than one based on lots of different line items, for instance, a percentage of turnover rather than charges per item on your bank statement. Get it in writing When you do agree rates, get them in writing. Never mind the official forms, get any special terms you negotiate confirmed in a separate letter of understanding.