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MSE News: RBS and Natwest customers in Santander switch alert

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  • Changed my English branch RBS account to one at a branch in Scotland recently - went into the bank while working up there and sorted it with no problem.
    As well as being able to use NatWest for paying in, both RBS and NatWest customers will also be able to use the Post Office to pay in as well in the not too distant future.
    No way am I being transferred to Santander, my previous experiences with them have been shocking!
  • chambta
    chambta Posts: 2,770 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    My main current account is now with 160038 Drummonds branch.
  • Finally bit the bullet on Friday and opened a local English NatWest account (I was promised like-for-like with my RBS account but they wouldn't offer the £1000 overdraft facility of my RBS account, only £200, which was disappointing but perhaps understandable in light of current economics, plus my income level has changed and they say now doesn't warrant any more than that). Have asked Natwest to do the transfer of DDs etc. from the RBS account and close it down, after 28 years. Was hoping to be showered with freebies as a new customer but none of that either :(
  • Apologies for waking up an old thread. For historical reasons, my NatWest current account is at a Scottish branch, even though I've lived down South for years. It's about time I actually got round to telling NatWest that I want to stay with them rather than being sold. How does the actual process work ? One person I asked said that if I register to stay, account number and sort code would remain the same, but it would be noted internally that it's a NatWest account. I'm rather sceptical, and had assumed that the sort-codes themselves would transfer to Santander (to make it as easy as possible for those switching to Santander) and it doesn't make sense that one sort code could mean two different institutions.

    If it means transferring to a new branch (and hence sort code and presumably account number), it would seem safer to apply for a new account at a local branch, then transfer salary and DD's to the new account, and then once I have confirmed that there are no payments going in or out of the old account, I can just close the old one. But would doing it this way mean I lose my overdraft facility ? (I've never used it, but they offered me it one day, and I figured I may as well take it since I wouldn't then have to pay for a letter if I accidentally went into the red one day.)

    Or maybe I could even just leave the old account open - since I'm not using it, I don't really care who it's with. But I just don't want having one (my oldest) account at a Scottish branch meaning that my other (esavings) accounts also get transferred.
  • EarthBoy
    EarthBoy Posts: 3,096 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As you say, one sort code cannot refer to two different institutions, so if you "register to stay" it means that your account will be transferred to a different NatWest branch, i.e one in England. You WILL get a new sort code and a new account number, so the person who told you different has misinformed you.
  • As an existing RBS customer of over 20 years, I can honestly say I've had fairly poor service from them over the years. Though the local Branch (NOT the one my account is held at!) has always been helpful. Since it will be the same staff at the same local Branch that will hopefully stay the same. Given that we already have a Mortgage with Santander I am going to switch before the sale though, since we get £200 for doing so! If I then have to move to an RBS Branch in Scotland or someone else like Co-op, then I will do as soon as we encounter any problems (Judging by other people's experiences that may not take very long!)
  • I have a RBS account in England at the Holts branch. I received a letter through the post advising me that the branch was being sold to Santander. Checking the website, like some other people who have posted on this site, i noted that the branch was in fact due for sale.

    Having been a Santander customer in Spain before they even started eating up branches in England and subsequently having held accounts at other banks which were absorbed, I was horrified at the prospect of being a Santander customer again!

    I contacted the branch over the phone and they have told me that around 3 weeks ago, it was decided that Holts would not be included in the sale. However, this still does not coincide with the check on the web. Nobody seems to be able to give a clear answer but I am inclined to believe the local branch staff which hopefully are well placed to know...
  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 48,154 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    Finally bit the bullet on Friday and opened a local English NatWest account (I was promised like-for-like with my RBS account but they wouldn't offer the £1000 overdraft facility of my RBS account, only £200, which was disappointing but perhaps understandable in light of current economics, plus my income level has changed and they say now doesn't warrant any more than that). Have asked Natwest to do the transfer of DDs etc. from the RBS account and close it down, after 28 years. Was hoping to be showered with freebies as a new customer but none of that either :(

    I've done the same. I kept the RBS account open, so that I can answer credit questions with having the same bank account for 20+ years.

    I also asked NAtWest about their switching service, they weren't keen to offer it to RBS customers. Apparently they are not allowed to encourage transfers from RBS to NatWest.
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  • Dr_Cuckoo3
    Dr_Cuckoo3 Posts: 1,398 Forumite
    SmartAlex wrote: »
    I have a RBS account in England at the Holts branch. I received a letter through the post advising me that the branch was being sold to Santander. Checking the website, like some other people who have posted on this site, i noted that the branch was in fact due for sale.

    Having been a Santander customer in Spain before they even started eating up branches in England and subsequently having held accounts at other banks which were absorbed, I was horrified at the prospect of being a Santander customer again!

    I contacted the branch over the phone and they have told me that around 3 weeks ago, it was decided that Holts would not be included in the sale. However, this still does not coincide with the check on the web. Nobody seems to be able to give a clear answer but I am inclined to believe the local branch staff which hopefully are well placed to know...

    The Holt's website has now been updated to confirm that it is not transferring to Santander

    http://www.rbs.co.uk/holts/divested.ashx



    "Your Holt's Farnborough branch account is staying with the RBS Group.

    In August last year, we announced the sale of RBS branches and accounts in England and Wales to Santander. The sale follows an agreement reached with the European Commission that requires RBS Group to sell these businesses and is subject to regulatory approvals.

    As part of this, it was expected that your account and branch would be moving to Santander, subject to regulatory and other approvals.

    Over recent months we have been working closely with Santander towards a smooth transition and, having reviewed these plans we have agreed with Santander that the Holt’s Farnborough Branch including Holt’s Military Banking will now remain as part of the RBS Group."

    The sort code checker (16-19-26) still states that it is due to be sold , meaning that the sort code checker cannot be relied on
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • Chambta's right - Holts Farnborough is not going to Santander.
    Anything that I do say, is strictly my opinion :p
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