Refused Halifax student account!

kyusho

Just got refused for a Halifax student account! Phoned them, they said check experian credit report which I did- exemplary! No problems on the credit report. Not even any record of them having done a search!

I do however have loads of settled accounts and over £30,000 of available credit. Some of my credit cards have a positive balance- could this be affecting anything?

Find it ironic how Halifax like to send me 20 loan offer letters per week and refuse me for a student account because of "bad credit rating". What a bunch of jokers. Might just go elsewhere, they can stick their bank account i'll take my business to Barclays

onlypaddy

....you haven't actually mentioned if you're a student or not?

Depending on your salary, £30k of available credit will scare off lenders. In fact, £30k available to a student is simply ridiculous!

outofbounds_2

What type of accounts do you currently hold with Halifax? I know that we will guarantee anyone who has been declined a student account on the grounds of having a low credit score, as long as they have held a bank account of some description (inc basic accounts) for at least 6 months and have £50 in the said account at the time of applying.

kyusho

onlypaddy wrote: »

....you haven't actually mentioned if you're a student or not?

Depending on your salary, £30k of available credit will scare off lenders. In fact, £30k available to a student is simply ridiculous!

I'm a mature student, aged 24. I have previously worked for RBS and the MOD so have been reasonably well paid and have a good credit rating and track record. I'm going to be studying BSc Economics @ Loughborough University.

outofbounds wrote: »

What type of accounts do you currently hold with Halifax? I know that we will guarantee anyone who has been declined a student account on the grounds of having a low credit score, as long as they have held a bank account of some description (inc basic accounts) for at least 6 months and have £50 in the said account at the time of applying.

I have 1 current account with Halifax (Lloyds banking group), 1 Savings account and 2 credit cards. I have held my current account with them since I was 12! Both of the credit cards are actually in credit, I remember reading somewhere this can be bad? I also remember reading somewhere you should not close down your oldest credit cards as they provide good track record of credit history; should I close down some of the newer ones?

Maybe they have turned me down as they don't think I will be profitable? Just been reading about that on here.. any advice? I've just applied for Natwest instead.

opinions4u

Ask to convert your existing current account to a Student Account.

They won't decline that.

kyusho

There doesn't seem to be an option to do that, the only way you seem to be able to apply for one is online by creating a new account online?

Instead, i've applied for the Natwest student account. They do what you've said- i've applied to turn my old staff current account into a student account.

I've heard bad things about Halifax student accounts anyway, they boast to offer the largest student overdraft (3k), but no one ever seems to get it! A very poorly run bank IMO, if they're willing to lose a long term customer with an exemplary credit rating. THey never even did a credit check according to my experian report.

opinions4u wrote: »

Ask to convert your existing current account to a Student Account.

They won't decline that.

kelloggs36

Not Halifax but HSBC but I couldn't open a student account whilst having a normal current account, so they converted it - call them and ask!

ganonman

kyusho wrote: »

There doesn't seem to be an option to do that, the only way you seem to be able to apply for one is online by creating a new account online?

Instead, i've applied for the Natwest student account. They do what you've said- i've applied to turn my old staff current account into a student account.

I've heard bad things about Halifax student accounts anyway, they boast to offer the largest student overdraft (3k), but no one ever seems to get it! A very poorly run bank IMO, if they're willing to lose a long term customer with an exemplary credit rating. THey never even did a credit check according to my experian report.

I got accepted for the full Halifax student overdraft in 2004...

I wish I hadn't. Maybe they're starting to lend more responsibly nowadays.

Paul_Finlay

I have just started my 1st year at university, I'm a mature student (25). i am having difficulties with halifax when opening a student account. The first account i opened i was told it could be upgraded to a student account when i provided an acceptance letter. which in course i did, however i was then told that upgrading was not an option and i would need to open a separate account. I booked an appointment and proceeded to open a second account the whole time under the impression i was receiving a student account. Once again ive now receivced the card and learn that it is not a student account but a reward account. This is now going to cause issues with my student finance, which i have organised to be paid into the second account. aswell as the debits for my uni accommodation. I feel both angry and upset with halifax, does anyone have any advice.

opinions4u

It should be possible for them to change a Reward account in to a Student account, keeping the same sort code and account number.

If it's not happening:

We aim to resolve your concerns within 24 hours. Sometimes it may take longer to look into the matter fully. If this happens, we will let you know within 5 working days who will reply.

Often the people you first raise the matter with are able to help, but there may be occasions when a specialist area needs to be involved. If you don't know who to contact, you can:

• Telephone Customer Relations on 08457 25 35 19
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