maintenance charge in banks??

[mizzmamma]

just wondering what a maintenance charge (service charge) in a bank is for, i don't have an overdraft and no direct debits so why every month do i get a charge of £43 service/maintenance charge?
i have a seperate account with another bank that all my direct debits are in and an overdraft, my wage goes into the account stated above but all i do is take money out ATM with that account
ps it is a standard account i have

[mister ed]

that sounds way to high -- do you have over draft protection or anyother special condition attached to your account!!!

[old know all]

It's a charge for the type of account you have. Change to a standard account (preferably with another bank).

If you open a Flexaccount with Nationwide, there are no charges if you remain in credit. You can draw out cash from ATMs abroad with no commission or dodgy exchange rates (you get a straight commercial rate) and the same applies to credit card transactions abroad.

What's more, they don't pay me a penny for recommending them. (Come on guys - at least a free pen!)