ID problem with Clydesdale savings account

millym

Hi folks

Looking for some advice.

I have a current account plus with the Clydesdale Bank, which I have had for many years. I used to have a savings account linked to this, and phoned to ask them to re-open it for me, but they can't because:

1. I now live in England and they say I have to go into a branch to do this (nearest branch 100s of miles away!).

2. If I managed to get to a branch, they require a passport or driving licence, and I have neither.

I can see their point if it was a new account, but this is an inoperative account that I want re-opened.

I can't open a new current account or savings account here, because I don't have any ID, and as I am not working would probably not pass the credit checks. Besides which, I believe it is better for your credit history if you have banked in the same place for a long time.

The bloke did say phone back on Monday and get put through to my branch, but in the meantime, is there any other option for me?

Eco_Miser

FWIW Clydesdale have lots of branches in England, masquerading as Yorkshire Bank. Mostly in Northern England though, so may still be too far away to be useful,

mr6562

If you are on benefits then a letter from DWP confirming your benefit is valid ID for these purposes.

On the credit checks thing, I tried to open a co op cashminder because I'm unemployed and couldn't even get a debit card with my bank. The guy on the phone said I should try for their current account first, and after the 3rd time of him telling me this I gave in, and I actually passed, even though I said my income was £200 a month.

Here's the number I used 0845 602 7057

millym

Eco miser, many thanks, as far as I'm aware, Clydesdale and Yorkshire are part of the same family, but still separate banks, ie, I would have to open a new account, which I don't really want to do. When I had my handbag stolen, with all my ID in it, they said if I needed cash I could go into the YB with a copy of my statement and they would arrange a withdrawal, so even in a crisis, it's not that important to be near a branch.

I didn't realise a DWP letter would suffice, thans for that Mr6562. I might try and open a YB account and take it from there.

Didn't manage to phone branch today, maybe tomorrow...

Eco_Miser

millym, sorry for the delay in replying, computer crashed and I've only just got notification of replies.

Yorkshire Bank ceased being a bank, and became a brand of Clydesdale with no separate legal existence several years ago. Every document I get from them has a trading name of Clydesdale Bank PLC in the small print.

I hope by now you have visited a branch and have everything sorted out.