PTSB best value on student accounts

Permanent TSB offers the best value on third-level student current accounts, according to a survey published by the Financial Regulator today.

The survey shows that all the leading banks offer a number of transactions for free to students.

However, students with Permanent TSB accounts pay less for certain charges like those levied on unpaid standing orders.

Permanent TSB charges €4.44 for this, compared to €12.70 in Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland.

Elsewhere, all the banks surveyed were found to have no charges for replacing lost ATM cards with the exception of National Irish Bank, which charges €6 for the service.

AIB was found to be the only bank that offers interest on student accounts, but at a very low rate of 0.025%.