M+S ISA Client Ref (Not Sort-code & Acc #)

Ologhai

My partner transferred some ISA funds into a Marks and Spencer ISA a couple of weeks ago. On the paperwork that M+S has sent back, there is a 'Client Ref', but specifically not a sort-code nor account number for the ISA.

From past experience, it's been sort-code and account number info that's been required for transfers, so I rang M+S to ask about a sort-code/account #, and their response was basically, 'It'll be fine if you want to transfer later, just use the Client Ref' and 'We don't work with sort-codes and account numbers -- the Client Ref is all there is'.

Have others with M+S ISAs observed the same Client Ref being used rather than sort-codes and account numbers, and does anyone have a view on whether there'll be difficulties down the road when transferring this ISA elsewhere? Better still, does anyone have experience of transferring an M+S ISA already?

Thanks in advance for any useful info or experiences!

Ologhai

I just thought I'd bump this just in case anyone with anything to add didn't see it yesterday.

datostar

Ologhai wrote: »

Have others with M+S ISAs observed the same Client Ref being used rather than sort-codes and account numbers, and does anyone have a view on whether there'll be difficulties down the road when transferring this ISA elsewhere? Better still, does anyone have experience of transferring an M+S ISA already?

Thanks in advance for any useful info or experiences!

I transferred an M&S Advantage ISA to Northern Rock last year when M&S dropped the interest rate. Used the Client Ref. on the transfer form. No problems at all - transfer went through in less than a week and I got a very nice letter from M&S. Don't worry about it. From my experience they're very good.

Ologhai

datostar wrote: »

I transferred an M&S Advantage ISA to Northern Rock last year when M&S dropped the interest rate. Used the Client Ref. on the transfer form. No problems at all - transfer went through in less than a week and I got a very nice letter from M&S. Don't worry about it. From my experience they're very good.

Good to know. Thanks!

savetilibleed

Just wondering what happens if you have two ISAs with M&S. Does each have a different client ref? You'd have thought it was like a user reference rather than account number.

10_66

savetilibleed wrote: »

Just wondering what happens if you have two ISAs with M&S. Does each have a different client ref? You'd have thought it was like a user reference rather than account number.

You have the same client ref number, but each account has its own account number.

savetilibleed

10_66 wrote: »

You have the same client ref number, but each account has its own account number.

OK. My M&S FRISA is open (apparently), funds having been transferred from Halifax. Was hoping to have another from LTSB but won't now the rates have reduced (thinking Northern Rock Stepped 3 yr now) but still awaiting the certificate or whatever it'll be from M&S. Just had a letter today from them requesting confirmation of my ID to link current account - not that I requested interest to go there.

10_66

savetilibleed wrote: »

...Just had a letter today from them requesting confirmation of my ID to link current account - not that I requested interest to go there.

You don't think that's anything to do with your post #195 on the M&S Money 4% ISA thread do you?

savetilibleed

10_66 wrote: »

You don't think that's anything to do with your post #195 on the M&S Money 4% ISA thread do you?

No luckily it wasn't. It seems that feature of their form confuses people all the time and they are always getting calls about it! I got them to tell me exactly how much had been put into the new ISA and when (money received 30/3/10 invested 31/3 backdated to 30/3 and it was the amount I was expecting. I just had it checked again and I will get the certificate/letter tomorrow as I'd got the ID request today (which is optional as they would send a cheque without it if needs be).

Stompa

savetilibleed wrote: »

Just wondering what happens if you have two ISAs with M&S. Does each have a different client ref? You'd have thought it was like a user reference rather than account number.

When I transferred mine I was given a Client Ref and a Contract Ref, so presumably you just have multiple Contract Refs.