NWB STEP Account

talkback

Hi,

I recently applied for a NWB STEP account, which I was led to believe is a non-satus basic account. I received acceptance and all the info, but two days later I received a letter from a different office declining my application. It mentioned something like " as a responsible lender etc, etc" . However I was applying for a basic account with no lending or overdraft facilities.

Yesterday, I received a statement showing account closed.

I also ckecked my credit file with Experian and I see NWB did a credit check. As the STEP account is a non-status account, why do they credit check, I don't want credit. I thought these basic account were set up to enable people with debt problems etc to get a bank account.

Has anyone had a similar experience or have any idea why I was turned down. I am not bankrupt and do not have any of the fraud flags on my credit file.

Thanks

David Brassington

_Andy_

Any bank credit checks when you're applying for an account.

Lucymiss

Sometimes it's not a FULL credit check just to check if you are on the Electoral roll. I have just opened a basic account with the Yorkshire Bank and was told it would only be an 'enquiry' to check how long I've lived at my present address. They also check CIFAS the fraud database, try Co-op's Cashminder account, they check electoral roll and CIFAS.

Lucy

shaz4paul

I am with natwest and did have 2 step acounts, one joint with my husband and one seperate. I now just have the joint account. Before we got married, we both had seperate accounts with natwest, and we applied for a joint account (step account) but got declined also because of credit checks done on my boyfriend. So the only way we could have a joint account is if i just got added to his. It is silly when you are not asking for an overdraft or a cheque book etc that they do credit checks! i HAVE JUST RECENTLY DECLARED BANKRUPT and natwest and the official receivers both agreed i could keep my accounts as there was no overdraft/cheque book. After a week, I went online to check my balance, and they had closed one of my accounts without even letting me know! When i phoned up, they wouldn't give me any answers or anything. Now... after all the trouble Ive had with them... i wouldnt recommend natwest bank to anyone!