Refused Basic Bank Account

matt8188

I'm extremely annoyed and frustrated with Yorkshire Bank. My background is I am a 28 year old man who until the last couple of years has been immature with my money especially whilst I was at University. I have outstanding debts of a total of 7.5k (3k Halifax, 3k Abbey, 1.5k Barclaycard). I have had a Royal Bank of Scotland basic Key account for approx 5 years which whilst have a number of charges for bounced Direct Debits is currently in credit. However I have wanted to change accounts as my nearest branch is now quite a distance away.

With my poor credit I will not pass a credit check so I've been looking on this forum for the most suitable basic bank account which I decided was the Yorkshire Readycash Account. The local branch is only 5 mins from my work and I was pleased about getting a maestro card. I contacted my local branch by phone and spoke to a nice lady whom I explained my current status to and she agreed the Readycash account was ideal. I specifically stated that I did not want a credit check as I was trying to improve my credit history and did not want another failed check showing up. She assured me there was no score and the only basic criteria was that you cannot be bankrupt which was fine because I haven't been. She said that the account would take about 10 mins to open and the only paperwork I needed to bring along was my passport or drivers license. I would get my account number and sort code within an hour of opening, which concurs with what a number of people have said on this forum.

Excited I arranged appointment for next day. There I met another lady advisor. I explained what I had been told by the other lady and explained I did not need an overdraft facility, cheque book or guarantee card, all I required was the basic readycash account to pay my wages into and use the handy maestro card for debit transactions. I emphasised I did not want a credit check. She (very patronising) said the way the system worked is they take all my information, feed it into computer and determine what the most suitable account is for me. I explained I knew what account I required but she said it didn't matter as they still had to do this check. Reluctantly I agreed to this and she spent over 20 mins requesting all my personal details (last 5 years addresses, 2 years employment history, wage details, current debts, partners details). At the end of the check she told me I had been accepted for a current account with cheque book, but no overdraft or guarantee card. However as I was a new customer, the HQ randomly ask for new customer details, but not to worry it was standard procedure and she would confirm the following day whether my current account hd been opened. Cynical and pessimistic by nature I was sure there would be a problem. I told her I didn't require the current account, the readycash was fine and I asked if they denied my current account application could I still get the readycash to which she did not know, but (very unconvincingly) assured me she doubted there would be any issues.

Not surprisingly she rang back the next day saying unfortunately the HQ had informed her that they could not open either account in my name. I asked why to which she replied she did not know, they do not get told a reason.

I am very upset and annoyed. Why did the first women tell me I could apply for a readycash account without a credit check if this was not the case? Secondly, why at the appointment after I explicitly stated I did not want a credit check and explained what my basic requirements were did she say they still had to check "what was the most suitable account"?

Also why have I not been accepted for a readycash account. Can I ask for a reason from Yorkshire bank? The first lady I spoke to said in the only criteria was that you could not be bankrupt which I haven't, why would they refuse me an account where I am not asking for an overdraft or cheque book? I have a decent salary and I'm trying to rebuild my life by managing my debt so hopefully one day I can get a mortgage. The last thing I need is waste of times like this. If anyone can assist with the above questions or give me advice whether you believe I have the right to complain about this service, any help is much appreciated.

sutton111

They did the same thing with me. I asked for a readycash firstly but she would enter all my details. Anyway it got referred to Head office and it said i could have my account,:j it was a current plus account which i was chuffed about, but over time these last couple of months i've got really frustrated by them:mad: . I can never contact my local branch by telephone, i live to far away to go into branch, i asked them to set up a savings account it took a month to do:eek: , I asked them to send me an application for a multifunction card two weeks ago and still nothing:rolleyes: ,i was trying to inquire about an OD and telephoning banking said i need to speak to my branch, they try and transfer me nobody answers the telephone, or it's always engaged :mad: i've had enough and i'm now swapping to Barclays.

davidhenson1

matt8188 wrote: »

I'm extremely annoyed and frustrated with Yorkshire Bank. My background is I am a 28 year old man who until the last couple of years has been immature with my money especially whilst I was at University. I have outstanding debts of a total of 7.5k (3k Halifax, 3k Abbey, 1.5k Barclaycard). I have had a Royal Bank of Scotland basic Key account for approx 5 years which whilst have a number of charges for bounced Direct Debits is currently in credit. However I have wanted to change accounts as my nearest branch is now quite a distance away.

With my poor credit I will not pass a credit check so I've been looking on this forum for the most suitable basic bank account which I decided was the Yorkshire Readycash Account. The local branch is only 5 mins from my work and I was pleased about getting a maestro card. I contacted my local branch by phone and spoke to a nice lady whom I explained my current status to and she agreed the Readycash account was ideal. I specifically stated that I did not want a credit check as I was trying to improve my credit history and did not want another failed check showing up. She assured me there was no score and the only basic criteria was that you cannot be bankrupt which was fine because I haven't been. She said that the account would take about 10 mins to open and the only paperwork I needed to bring along was my passport or drivers license. I would get my account number and sort code within an hour of opening, which concurs with what a number of people have said on this forum.

Excited I arranged appointment for next day. There I met another lady advisor. I explained what I had been told by the other lady and explained I did not need an overdraft facility, cheque book or guarantee card, all I required was the basic readycash account to pay my wages into and use the handy maestro card for debit transactions. I emphasised I did not want a credit check. She (very patronising) said the way the system worked is they take all my information, feed it into computer and determine what the most suitable account is for me. I explained I knew what account I required but she said it didn't matter as they still had to do this check. Reluctantly I agreed to this and she spent over 20 mins requesting all my personal details (last 5 years addresses, 2 years employment history, wage details, current debts, partners details). At the end of the check she told me I had been accepted for a current account with cheque book, but no overdraft or guarantee card. However as I was a new customer, the HQ randomly ask for new customer details, but not to worry it was standard procedure and she would confirm the following day whether my current account hd been opened. Cynical and pessimistic by nature I was sure there would be a problem. I told her I didn't require the current account, the readycash was fine and I asked if they denied my current account application could I still get the readycash to which she did not know, but (very unconvincingly) assured me she doubted there would be any issues.

Not surprisingly she rang back the next day saying unfortunately the HQ had informed her that they could not open either account in my name. I asked why to which she replied she did not know, they do not get told a reason.

I am very upset and annoyed. Why did the first women tell me I could apply for a readycash account without a credit check if this was not the case? Secondly, why at the appointment after I explicitly stated I did not want a credit check and explained what my basic requirements were did she say they still had to check "what was the most suitable account"?

Also why have I not been accepted for a readycash account. Can I ask for a reason from Yorkshire bank? The first lady I spoke to said in the only criteria was that you could not be bankrupt which I haven't, why would they refuse me an account where I am not asking for an overdraft or cheque book? I have a decent salary and I'm trying to rebuild my life by managing my debt so hopefully one day I can get a mortgage. The last thing I need is waste of times like this. If anyone can assist with the above questions or give me advice whether you believe I have the right to complain about this service, any help is much appreciated.

Im in a very similar situation. Are you paying the debt you have? or is just defaulted? Can i ask have you recently applied for a credit?

Let me know and i may have an explanation.

sutton111

Have you had any luck removing any of those CIFAS?
What type of debit card do you have with Abbey.

Ukevas

My story very much like yours when it comes to uni and debt... must say I walked into Yorkshire bank stuck to my guns and got the basic account with no problems.. but as allways with these things its mostly down to who get when you walk in..!!

chambta

Hi Matt,

If you already have the RBS Key Account there's a pretty good chance of being upgraded to a full current account assuming no recent defaults. It may not give a full debit card immediately or an overdraft but 4-6 months of faultless usage would give you a good chance of these if required.

Did you know you can have a solo card on the account you have? Plus if it's the ability to pay in cheques in a local branch that's an issue you can use Natwest branches for this with your paying-in book.

matt8188

sutton111 wrote: »

Have you had any luck removing any of those CIFAS?
What type of debit card do you have with Abbey.

Thanks for all your help guys. I don't have any cards relating to my debts with Abbey, Halifax or Barclaycard. I cut them all up a couple of years ago. I haven't tried to get credit for a about a year and a half when I tried to get SKY tv but they denied my application so my girlfriend had to get it in her name instead. To be honest I've buried my head in the sand with regards to these debts. I've moved rented accomodation twice in the last three years, I am on the electoral roll at my current property where we've rented for just over a year. I have not received any correspondence from the banks or related debt collectors for about three years so I don't know whether I have CCJ's or CIFAS against my name. My main aim has been just not to apply for credit because I don't want to make it any worse than it is, thats why the recent episode with Yorkshire Bank has really annoyed me. I don't want to get in anymore debt than I am, just want a simple local account I can use.

s1h

I think thats your problem.

You are not on the electoral role.

TheKeyMaker

Yorkshire bank has the incentive bonus system, as per packages they sell to peoples like current accounts. The ladies at the bank don’t really care what are you asking for, as they are acting only as a sales peoples; even if you insist in applying only for a basic account, as I did as well they would apply for a current account. Once refused for a current account, you automatically are refused for a basic one.
I stayed there with disbelieve shouting at her that I only need a Basic account; but still she manage to apply first for a current account … obviously I didn’t get neither of the accounts.

Snooze

s1h wrote: »

I think thats your problem.

You are not on the electoral role.

:rolleyes: Learn to read.

Rob

matt8188

TheKeyMaker wrote: »

Yorkshire bank has the incentive bonus system, as per packages they sell to peoples like current accounts. The ladies at the bank don’t really care what are you asking for, as they are acting only as a sales peoples; even if you insist in applying only for a basic account, as I did as well they would apply for a current account. Once refused for a current account, you automatically are refused for a basic one.
I stayed there with disbelieve shouting at her that I only need a Basic account; but still she manage to apply first for a current account … obviously I didn’t get neither of the accounts.

Thanks for all your help guys, I've got an update for you. Following on from the feedback I've received I decided to send a complaint letter to my local Yorkshire branch and also the HQ. The following day I received a phone call from the local branch manager. He apologised for all my problems, looking into the problem it seemed the "sales woman" hadn't followed the correct procedure. Top cut a long story short he had contacted the HQ and they were willing to offer me the account I wanted in the first place, the Readycash Account. I decided no point cutting off my nose to spite my face and decided to accept. Went back in to the branch to resign an application and today I have received my maestro card with account details. Thanks again, Matt.