Barclays refused overdraft

shirlgirl2004

My son has a student account with Barclays and he's just about to start his 2nd year at Uni. When he opened the account they gave him a £200 overdraft which he's barely used. He already ahd £1,000 saved before he started last year but this year he's saved nothing. I advised him to pop into our local branch to request an extension of his overdraft because he's likely to need it at some point.

Well he was told he couldn't have it unless he needs it for a bill or something. I find it really hard to believe they would treat him like this. He's banked with them for 9 years and has no other bank accounts. Has anyone else had this problem?

melancholly

try ringing up and saying he'll close the account and move to a more accommodating bank. they are a lot more reasonable when you're threatening to leave!

rhig

Have him call them again just incase it was some kind of cusomer service mistake, if they still decline it may be worth getting a credit check just to make sure there are no mistakes.

If your son is doing all his banking through the accounts its absurd that they are not giving him the overdraft.

dmg24

I bank with Barclays and (a few years ago) had the same problem. They said that because I hadn't used my current overdraft, they would not increase it. But equally, if you go over your current overdraft, you are very unlikely to then get it increased.

Seemed a bit of a contradiction to me.

Hutchch0920

As far as i know Barclays are the only bank that request some form of proof as to why you need your overdraft extended whereas there are many other leading high-street bank which will allow an overdraft of £1000+ no questions asked - maybe change banks?