Basic bank account feedback thread

pmduk

The Co-op are very tough with bounced direct debits, so make sure you're careful with them. More than 3 and they'll close the account.

magiciansgirl

I've spent the last five years wisely and although I have a couple of CCJ's due to drop off in 2013 they are satisfied, not defaults. I have 2 credit cards which I pay off in full every month and a fully operating main bank account.

I wanted to open the Co Op cashminder account in order to have a separate household account that my boyfriend can also pay in to; but it would not be a joint account. The reason for the application to them is that if either he or I go to our own banks for this account they can offset funds.

I've just got off the phone to the Co-Op and my application has been referred. This doesn't sound to me as if they are going to say yes, but as I haven't gone bankrupt, had an IVA or missed any payments on anything for 5 years, why is this? Feeling rather depressed now.... (though obviously very glad not to be in debt).

Pugwash69

I've never had any errors on my Lloyds account, but recently their customer services have let me down when they've become too eager to block my debit card and impossible to get hold of to sort it. Not great when you're buying things for a holiday and they stop the payments.

pip2012

magiciansgirl wrote: »

I've spent the last five years wisely and although I have a couple of CCJ's due to drop off in 2013 they are satisfied, not defaults. I have 2 credit cards which I pay off in full every month and a fully operating main bank account.

I wanted to open the Co Op cashminder account in order to have a separate household account that my boyfriend can also pay in to; but it would not be a joint account. The reason for the application to them is that if either he or I go to our own banks for this account they can offset funds.

I've just got off the phone to the Co-Op and my application has been referred. This doesn't sound to me as if they are going to say yes, but as I haven't gone bankrupt, had an IVA or missed any payments on anything for 5 years, why is this? Feeling rather depressed now.... (though obviously very glad not to be in debt).

I have a barclays basic account which has been ran perfectly for 4 years but I wanted to open another basic account with Debit card. I appied ovet teh phone for a cashminder account and this was referred, however I called to check on the application today and it has been approved. The advisor said that the account was opened and card/pin will be sent shortly. :j

magiciansgirl

pip2012 wrote: »

I have a barclays basic account which has been ran perfectly for 4 years but I wanted to open another basic account with Debit card. I appied ovet teh phone for a cashminder account and this was referred, however I called to check on the application today and it has been approved. The advisor said that the account was opened and card/pin will be sent shortly. :j

That's great, you must be pleased. Here's hoping I'll get a similar response.

Kind regards, Richfordbabe

magiciansgirl

pip2012 wrote: »

I have a barclays basic account which has been ran perfectly for 4 years but I wanted to open another basic account with Debit card. I appied ovet teh phone for a cashminder account and this was referred, however I called to check on the application today and it has been approved. The advisor said that the account was opened and card/pin will be sent shortly. :j

Hi everyone, delighted to report that although my application was referred, I have been accepted; the Welcome Pack arrived today. Couldn't be more pleased; and spring appears to have arrived as well..... Good luck to anyone else seeking this account.

Kind regards, MG:T

pip2012

magiciansgirl wrote: »

Hi everyone, delighted to report that although my application was referred, I have been accepted; the Welcome Pack arrived today. Couldn't be more pleased; and spring appears to have arrived as well..... Good luck to anyone else seeking this account.

Kind regards, MG:T

Thats great, I'm glad everything worked out for you :j

magiciansgirl

Re this post:

CO-OP card cash A/C
Now I think its time that Co-op Bank should sort out their debit card. I have tried over the phone several times now to bring to the attention of the Co-op, that the card now issued with visa on it is still an Electron card...in the eyes of retailers the card shows as an electron.
Online problems are that you could be 16 years old to have this a/c so ...No tesco and others home delivery's, No pay at Pump, M&S do not accept card online and at a guess many others.

Just been reading my Welcome letter for this account and it occurred to me that if you haven't registered your card for Verified for Visa then it may not behave as one. Certainly the say that if not verified then there is restricted use. Kind regards, MG

pip2012

magiciansgirl wrote: »

Re this post:

CO-OP card cash A/C
Now I think its time that Co-op Bank should sort out their debit card. I have tried over the phone several times now to bring to the attention of the Co-op, that the card now issued with visa on it is still an Electron card...in the eyes of retailers the card shows as an electron.
Online problems are that you could be 16 years old to have this a/c so ...No tesco and others home delivery's, No pay at Pump, M&S do not accept card online and at a guess many others.

Just been reading my Welcome letter for this account and it occurred to me that if you haven't registered your card for Verified for Visa then it may not behave as one. Certainly the say that if not verified then there is restricted use. Kind regards, MG

I recieved my Visa debit from the Co-op yesterday. I will just be using this account for our supermarket shop so it doesnt bother me, however - the leaflet that came with the card stated in bold letters that as an overdraft is restricted on the ca!!!!!er account, you will only be able to use the card where a retailer can confirm that there are enough funds in the account. It goes on to say that this might mean pay pumps and certain online transactions might not work.

The card starts 4508, my barclays basic account starts 4608 so am I correct in thinking that they are essentially visa electrons? (in terms of authorisations etc)

El_Oso_Peludo

jhnalford wrote: »

Hi everybody,
I'm shortly moving back to the UK after 25 years in Spain for work reasons. I have no credit history now in the UK so trying to open a bank account is almost impossible. Has anyone else had this experience - can anyone recommend a bank that would accept me? Is this the only type of account that I can open? Thanks for any help.

I am having similar problems. I will recount my experience today. Readers may find it interesting. I went into my local Barclays Bank branch yesterday - what a depressing place it was! Packed with very wet people with only 2 windows open. The queue must have been 20 people long. I immediately walked out.

Today I headed for my nearest Cooperative Bank (about 10 miles away). Nice clean premises, only one window open but nobody waiting. It appeared that the girl cashier had never heard of a Cash Minder account as she twice asked if I meant a current account. I told her that MSE had specifically recommended the Cash Minder account. She went away and finally came back asking me to use the phone in an office to apply for the account! At least I didnt have to pay for the 0845 call!

I rang the number given and a helpful lady spent a good half hour asking questions. There was a lull at one time and I was put on hold. She was obviously conducting a credit check as afterwards she advised me that if my application was not successful and I went elsewhere "in the near future" I might be turned down again.

Believe it or not I do not have a credit problem. I just want a simple bank account, debit card and free banking. Nothing more.

Finally I was told on the phone that I should be successful and would I show ID and proof of address to the cashier? I left the office and phone and went to the cashier who had behind her a person I took to be the Branch Manager. I produced my passport and two rock-solid documents showing my address. The Branch Manager dismissed these as "not sufficient". She wanted a Council Tax bill. Pure and simple. She said that the Co-Op was "tightening up" and "couldnt be too careful".

I said that it was a pity that they had not said this when I had started my application over 30 minutes before. I had recently arrived from Spain and was living with my daughter. The Branch Manager literally flew into a rage accusing me of SARCASM! I said that this was not sarcasm. Did she know what sarcasm was? She got more and more irate saying that I had no right to come in being sarcastic to her and her staff. The cashier tried to cool things down with things like "we are just trying to do our job" etc but quite frankly the damage was done.

I told them that I would not be proceeding with the application and walked out.

So...have they run a credit check and will it harm me if I go to, say, Barclays? Why is their criteria at the branch so different to the criteria on the website?

Great site by the way.