@ Barry – I’m moving to the Netherlands! In regards to your overdraft account being charged 1.5% even if you don’t use it, I think I would look into that if I were you. I don’t profess to be an expert in Netherland laws by any means, but that seems like highway robbery to me. Unless they disclose a specific fee per month for the maintenance (which isn’t any better) I don’t think they can charge you. But, check your disclosures!

@ Slinky – I’m glad your fiancee’s card didn’t shoot up as high as mine. I felt pretty violated, to be honest. Hopefully the rate change doesn’t discourage her from her plan! Best of luck to her!

*****Update***** The loss of this account actually came at a really bad time and the damage was worse than I initially anticipated. With my other cards’ rates jumping up, HSBC also decided to decrease my limit by A LOT! That move took me over my limit (from Christmas) and they reported that to the credit bureau. It’s paid off now, so the next reporting should help me out, but between the two, my score dropped almost 100 points. I’ll be honest, I was pissed! I was actually almost in tears. All my hard work has fallen to the wayside and I feel like I’m back at square one. The good news is that I called our rep at the credit bureau we use at the credit union and asked him what I could do. He said that unfortunately I’ll have to wait it out, but because it was just a matter of timing, I should get those points back on the over the limit within 6 months or so. We’ll see. I’ll believe it when I see it.

My corporate bank account thinks it’s a good idea to charge 1.5% of my overdraw limit (Yearly) even if you don’t use it though!