NatWest Step Account

mattlfc79

Hi all,

Having been with Barclays for just over a year now they will not upgrade me to a normal current account from my basic cash card account (with Visa Debit though) even though I have behaved myself with them. I dont want to be credit checked for the upgrade if you catch my drift.

I have heard about the Natwest step account, is it true that after x months of good behaviour and running the account as you should then they have an internal score which will mean I could get upgraded to a full current account?

If the Step account does not do this are there any other basic accounts that after a period of good behaviour will get upgraded to a full current account?

Thanks people,

Regards,

Matt

Toe-Jam

mattlfc79 wrote: »

Hi all,

Having been with Barclays for just over a year now they will not upgrade me to a normal current account from my basic cash card account (with Visa Debit though) even though I have behaved myself with them. I dont want to be credit checked for the upgrade if you catch my drift.

I have heard about the Natwest step account, is it true that after x months of good behaviour and running the account as you should then they have an internal score which will mean I could get upgraded to a full current account?



If the Step account does not do this are there any other basic accounts that after a period of good behaviour will get upgraded to a full current account?

Thanks people,

Regards,

Matt

Santander is the only one that I know of that don't credit check to upgrade to a normal account, Natest/RBS do check so do HSBC and Barclays.

catflea

Natwest do definatly check credit score to upgrade to a current account. That said, if you have a step account and have a good income on a regular basis and you behave yourself (no charges at all!) then you are likely to be able to upgrade without problems.

NW does indeed have an internal credit scoring system based on conduct etc and it plays a significant role in the decision.

That said, the only advantages of a full current account over the step are the chequebook and an overdraft - neither of which interest me paticuarly.

Is there a paticular reason you are keen to avoid a credit check?

mattlfc79

Thanks for your replies people!

I am keen to avoid a credit check as I have a CCJ and a couple of defaults. All due to drop off in 2012 sometime

How much 'influence' does good account conduct have with Barclays?

Thanks

annettetabs

Hi

I have had a joint step account with my Husband for 4 years now and we have been declined an upgrade to a current account due to the credit check, i was told. We have at least £2,000 going in a month, always have a healthy balance. I don't mind having a step account it does what i need it to do, but with kids at school and constantly having to pay rather bizzare amounts for school dinners and school trips etc, a cheque book would come in handy. I shall give it another 6 months and try again!

I have heard HSBC may upgrade after 6 months of good account conduct on their basic account?

dance27

Hi guys in desparate need of some help me and my partner opened a joint step account all the paper work cam through saying our account was open then our 1st statement came through saying our account was closed any one know why this is we phoned the bank and they dont have any idea either

DanDan123

"Hi guys in desparate need of some help me and my partner opened a joint step account all the paper work cam through saying our account was open then our 1st statement came through saying our account was closed any one know why this is we phoned the bank and they dont have any idea either"

This also happened to me a few years ago.
They open the account, and give you the account number etc, but they will say something like "following further checks, we are unable to offer you an account" I had to write in and complain, and then chase up and eventually i was given the account. At the same time i opened an account with Lloyds which went through without any problems (Basic account).

I have since been able to open full current accounts with small overdrafts (A&L, HSBC, Santander) so i would suggest trying A&L next, they seem to be pretty good with acceptance.

Good luck.