Alliance & Leicester- match overdraft offer

Sportbilly_2

I'm just about to send in a statement from my old current account so that A&L can match the overdraft limit I had on my new Premier account. Is this automatic, or has anyone had any trouble with getting them to match?

cifpower

It is "subject to status" I believe

Sportbilly_2

Right- would that be a credit score, or the way the previous account was run? I'm fairly confident of getting it, but if I don't I'll need to make provisions elsewhere.

cifpower

That would be a credit score

Sportbilly_2

Great, cheers.

YorkshireBoy

I believe the old account has to have been returned to credit for at least x days per month as shown on the statements you send them.

However, the best people to ask are A&L's switching team.

sunnySaver_2

Hi,

I had trouble getting them to match.

I was initially told when I was opening the account (in local branch) that it would be no problem and just to send something showing my overdraft with Barclays and my overdraft with them would be sorted the same day they received the information. However, two weeks after I sent the information they asked for .. nothing! Then I had a letter from the A+L head office asking me to resend the infomation and it should show that I'd been in credit at least two days in the past month, aswell as a few other requirements (sorry, can't remember now what they were).

I phoned there head office who confirmed that unless I'd been in credit at least two days in the past month they would not match. Ggrrrrr! Obviously, if I had been told that when I went into the branch to inquire about the current account I would not have bothered with it all because I would have known that I wouldn't have been able to match the conditions!!

I can see why they say that people are more likely to get arrested than change there current account!

Sportbilly_2

Thanks for that, sunnySaver and YorkshireBoy. I put my existing overdraft onto an MBNA credit card last month, and have been in credit ever since, so I shouldn't have too much trouble, fingers crossed.

Milarky

Some official info:

Matching overdraft limits – We may only consider matching an overdraft limit if you use our Premier Switching Service. For us to consider matching an overdraft limit you have elsewhere, you will need to provide an original bank statement for the current month. If you have an internet-based account, we will accept a print-out of your statement if the website address is showing at the bottom. If your bank statement does not say what your overdraft limit is, you will also need to provide a letter from your bank confirming your overdraft limit. Your previous account must have been in the same name (or names) as the new Alliance & Leicester current account. If you open a joint account and hold two separate accounts elsewhere, we will need the above for each account holder and we will look to match the higher of the two overdraft limits. Whether we match your overdraft limit depends on our assessment of your personal circumstances and how you manage your finances. We will assess the success of each application individually. We will check to make sure your total unsecured lending with us does not go over £25,000 and we will need to be satisfied that your previous account has been run satisfactorily.

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/customer-service/user-guides/current-accounts/page17.aspx

My only question (to YB) is; can you avail yourself of this switching service matching overdraft offer at any time or only when first opening the account?

Kavanne

I took all my details into the branch and they faxed it off. 2 weeks ago. Can't get through to switching team over the phone at all and neither can the branch, it is really frustrating. I have given up now. Gah.

Bonald01

I have also had problems with the Switching team at Alliance & Leicester. Have been trying to open a Premier account to get the 0% overdraft but they have pretty unhelpful on the matching of my current 1500 overdraft. At first I heard nothing about it other than them offering me £450. I was then told I had to send in a bank statement which I did. The latest I have been told is that they could not match th O/D as I could not prove I had been in credit for long enough at my current bank. I have now put the application 'on hold' and I am now in credit (just). However, my tax bill is due this week and I could either use my overdraft or my credit card to pay it. I can't decide what to do. I cannot remember how many days I have to be in credit for but some people on here are saying 15 days, some are saying it is only 2 days. Can anyone confirm how many days it actually is? I could try calling them but I expect I will be put on hold for hours.