Natwest Step to Current Plus and Debit Card

mancini601

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would post this...

We tried to upgrade our Step Account with Natwest about 8 months ago (hardly ever used). They said that they do not upgrade, but suggested we apply for Current Plus. We did so, through Internet Banking. We got the account but were given a standard Solo card with the Cheque Book.

We continued to use another bank (Halifax - Cardcash Account that we have had for yonks) for main banking and only occasionally we used the new Current Plus with Natwest because of the Solo.

Last week we took a punt and went to our branch and filled in a 'Servicecard 100 Application Form'. We completed this in branch and they sent it off to 'Central Lending'. Within 5 days, Full Maestro with Cheque Guarantee Cards fell through our letterbox

I should mention that at no point while we had the Step account did we ever have my salary paid into it (only ever paid in cash) and have only ever had 1 DD setup on the account. We have always left some money in there though and used the account on a few occassions for Internet Transactions and a few shop transactions.

We are obviously very happy to get the full cards especially given that our credit history (defaults galore) is totally knackered due to unemployment a while ago which left our relationship with another bank in tatters.

Maybe Natwest are being lienient at the moment?

sutton111

well done. i never new where i stood with natwest. Are you swapping over to Natwest then? i take it was a visa electron with halifax.

mancini601

sutton111 wrote: »

well done. i never new where i stood with natwest. Are you swapping over to Natwest then? i take it was a visa electron with halifax.

Yup, had Visa Electron with Halifax. Now we have the full card from Natwest, we will switch over.

To cut a long story short....

Had great account with HSBC for years (Car Loan, OD Facility (not used), CCards, Savings. Became unemployed and everything fell to bits (2 years ago) including multiple defaults from HSBC and account closure.

Had basic account with Halifax for years as a backup but even when I found gainful employment and had good money coming in to the Halifax, the Halifax would still not give us a normal account (our fault we defaulted with HSBC I suppose). Opened the Step, used it 'lightly' and then took a chance on applying for the ServiceCard after 8 months. We are well chuffed

sutton111

you appiled on-line how long for you to open it? and did you send ID in with your application for your current plus.

mancini601

We asked about an upgrade from Step to "Current Account Plus" in Jan 08. We were told this cannot be done. We were told to apply for a whole new account which we did in Jan 08 on the Main Natwest Website (not through Internet Banking) We then got the 'agreed in principle' message online. A few days later, a form came for us to sign and return. We didn't have to supply ID as we were already a Step customer. We were granted the account and received a cheque book and another Solo Card.

If I remember correctly, the account was opened in about a week.

sutton111

excellent, i may try.

Kavanne

I think with natwest it's just pot luck.

sutton111

Kavanne wrote: »

I think with natwest it's just pot luck.

i get that feeling.

akashi

Been with Natwest since 2005 with a Step account (Solo). Did not have much money going in there, when I asked for an upgrade I was told not possible from a Step account.

I had to apply for the Current Plus account, which was accepted with £500 OD (they offered £1000, I declined) I then received a Maestro Servicecard250 with cheque book.

I was surprised when I got accepted as I have poor credit history and they offered the £1000 overdraft figure from my score!

I have not used the card even once! Just didn't want the Solo in my wallet! lol

You can find out if your eligible for a credit card from Natwest by just asking the cashiers as the system automatically states if you are without credit checking you.

steve0793

akashi wrote: »

Been with Natwest since 2005 with a Step account (Solo). Did not have much money going in there, when I asked for an upgrade I was told not possible from a Step account.

I had to apply for the Current Plus account, which was accepted with £500 OD (they offered £1000, I declined) I then received a Maestro Servicecard250 with cheque book.

I was surprised when I got accepted as I have poor credit history and they offered the £1000 overdraft figure from my score!

I have not used the card even once! Just didn't want the Solo in my wallet! lol

You can find out if your eligible for a credit card from Natwest by just asking the cashiers as the system automatically states if you are without credit checking you.

Hi- i recently managed to get a full current account with cheque book and service card (prev had a step acct for a couple of years due a BAD credit history)- didnt ask for an OD. Are you saying they offer credit cards without a full credit check (ie based on account conduct) or is it an "in principle offer"
Thanks

Kavanne

akashi wrote: »

You can find out if your eligible for a credit card from Natwest by just asking the cashiers as the system automatically states if you are without credit checking you.

even if you are preapproved for a credit card, they will still do a credit check if you actually choose to apply