Barclays Bank - adding husband to current account

Ivory219

Hi all,
Was wondering if anyone could shed any light on this situation.
I have had a Barclays Bank account for 25 yrs.... (since I was 5) and it has probably been a current account since I was 18 so maybe 12-13 yrs now.
I have always kept my account in good order, and had no problems with Barclays at all.
Until now..... In 2005 I got married, I went to Barclays and asked them to add my husband to my account ie a joint account. I was told that if I done this my current account would be downgraded to a basic cash card account, I would lose my debit card, cheque book and overdraft facility. The reason I was told that my husband was not a Barclays customer.
I obviously wasn't happy at doing that and the CS adviser said that if my husband opened a cash card account and kept the account in good order, then in 6-12 months I could then add him to my account, and also upgrade his account to a current account if we wished.
OK, so 4 years down the line and I still cannot have a joint account without downgrading to a basic acc. I have been into Barclays and they said that they cannot change their policy!!!!!
All I want is a joint account!!!!! I'm not asking for much...... am I?

So does anyone know of any banks that will let me open a JOINT account lol that will give me a debit card, chequebook ect.

Many thanks for reading :-)

Extant

Barclays are likely refusing to give him the facilities due to his credit history. Have you gotten a credit report for him and yourself to see what's on it?

jambosans

What you've described seems to suggest your OH does not meet the criteria to hold a joint account e.g. poor credit history. When you add a party to a current account, normally you are equally held responsible for any debt - which a current account will allow. If the credit histories not up to Barclay's standards, then they pose too much of a risk.

Generally speaking banks will recommend opening a basic account, keep it in good working order for a few years, and apply for a full current account once the internal credit score has been built up. Banks reference both internally and externally when it comes to credit history, which bares more credence I have no idea.

You can apply for a joint account with another bank, but I would suggest, as mentioned above, if the issue is your OH's credit history, moving to another bank will not escape this.

Ivory219

Yep I have checked both reports, mine has a few things on, both silly things, overdue payments on mail order catalogues from years ago. Husbands is clear, he has never missed payments on CC or anything.
Thats another thing that I don't understand, he has a BarclayCard, so he can spend money he hasn't got, but can't get a debit card to spend the money he does have!! lol

jambosans

Ivory219 wrote: »

Thats another thing that I don't understand, he has a BarclayCard, so he can spend money he hasn't got, but can't get a debit card to spend the money he does have!! lol

*shrugs*

Lending criteria is something only those high up in risk at Barclays will know the specifics on. Other points to consider: if there is an outstanding debt on the Barclaycard, that may show a level of indebtedness that Barclays finds unacceptable. Aside from that, I'm fresh outa ideas.

If the reports are clean I would try another bank. Ultimately you can't force any bank to accept your business, and if their reasons for not doing so are not forthcoming, walk.

book12

The Barclays Cash Card Account now offers a debit card. This started to happen early this year. The account comes without an overdraft and chequebook.

I would listen to the advisor, and your husband opens the Cash Card Account. Then in a few months time, add him to your account.

Alternatively, both of you could try opening a joint account elsewhere, as different banks have different criterias.

Ivory219

book12 wrote: »

The Barclays Cash Card Account now offers a debit card. This started to happen early this year. The account comes without an overdraft and chequebook.

I would listen to the advisor, and your husband opens the Cash Card Account. Then in a few months time, add him to your account.

Alternatively, both of you could try opening a joint account elsewhere, as different banks have different criterias.

He opened a Cash Card Account 4 years ago!! lol
Anyway, thanks for all your advice, I went to Lloyds today and opened a JOINT current account....... Wohoooooooooo :T
Bah humbug to Barclays

Alpine_Star

Ivory219 wrote: »

He opened a Cash Card Account 4 years ago!! lol
Anyway, thanks for all your advice, I went to Lloyds today and opened a JOINT current account....... Wohoooooooooo :T
Bah humbug to Barclays

Good for you - was going to suggest Lloyds as in my experience they're good on joint/second signatory accounts. And who wants to bank with a bunch of serial tax evaders anyway?

Extant

Alpine_Star wrote: »

Good for you - was going to suggest Lloyds as in my experience they're good on joint/second signatory accounts. And who wants to bank with a bunch of serial tax evaders anyway?

Do you mean Barclays or Lloyds? Because both are "guilty" of the same thing, despite the fact that the majority of the actions undertaken by both banks are not technically illegal.

Lloyds were also fined £100 million in 2003. In short, neither bank - nor any major high street bank - is "squeaky clean"; but the distinction between right and wrong remains almost entirely moral as opposed to legal.