Bank asking you in for a "review"

Mikeyorks

Halifax ring my wife regularly from our local Branch .. suggesting she has a review. All our cash is in her name (though little other than ISAs with Halifax) because it's beneficial tax wise. So they seem to think it's hers .... and I worry they may persuade her into their way of thinking!

But she just passes the call to me and I ask them what they have that will give us the 56% our Funds increased by last year? The caller then says 'so that will be a no, then'? And I agree. All very affable.

If you haven't got any Funds .... just make it up!

Tigsteroonie

NatWest can be just as persistent as RBS. They've never bothered me (account holder for 20 years), but they regularly send letters to Marley (account holder almost as long) saying that they want to carry out a review of his banking needs. They even tried phoning him - during the day when he was looking after Andrew - and were very reluctant to take "No" for an answer.

I'm sorry but if either of us wanted to "review our banking needs" we would contact them, not have them contact us.

sweetilemon

Its all about sales. i've been for a couple of 'reviews' and they are a bit of a waste of time tbh. They just try to sell you the products they are told to push no matter how unsuitable.

laurel7172

I asked Halifax what they'd be prepared to pay me for an hour of my time.

Even that didn't shut the caller up.

Then I asked why I'd bother spending an hour with a tied agent, when I could see an IFA.

She carried on.

I trust their advisors listen better than the people who make the appointments...

mardatha

They dont phone, this is just in the branch. And when you answer you're very aware of the queue behind you all with ears out on sticks I will be ready for them next time - but I just wanted to know if they can force you to have these stupid reviews. If they're just trying to sell me stuff then I can smile nicely & refuse thanks all !

opinions4u

1) You don't have to attend.
2) You can opt out of marketing - just ask how to.

That said, if you aren't proactive about looking after your finances it's more than likely that talking to your bank will help you get better returns for your money than doing nothing.

Personally I prefer to tart myself around to whoever pays the most, rather than relying on one provider to do it for me.

Loughton_Monkey

I've never had this 'privilege'. I'm mainly with First Direct and so they don't have branches. I do have many other Current accounts but I suppose they just see me 'laundering' my £1,000 through to get my 'goodies'.

However, if I ever got such a 'pull' I think I would actually go. I would probably rather 'enjoy' it since I tend to know what I am talking about. It would be rather fun responding to all the 'interrogations' with comments....

- Oh. So you could beat 3.2% on my Cash ISA then? Why don't you have that on your web site?
- And you think a Structured Product would be good for a retired person like me? OK. Can you tell me exactly the whole list of specific derivatives used?
- Right. You do funds do you? I assume you rebate the up front 5% fully, but how much trail commission do you rebate..?

I guess I'd be out of there while my coffee was still warm!

Chadsman

Say you like to but the aliens are currently holding your wife/husband/mother/father/children/dog hostage and you need to get back to Gallifrey to release them.

...or yes only if you get a complimentary bl*w job.

devildog

I had Nat West ask me in for a review a few years back, went through things with the advisor and was basically told I was doing everything ok and they couldn't suggest anything further. I personally felt that it was reassuring.

jackieb

I'm with the RBS and they're a pain for this. I've been with them for over 20 years and i've been to a few reviews and whenever I went I always came out with a different account. One time, quite a few years ago now, they tried to get me to consolidate my loans onto my mortgage.

I only seem to get asked if I go into the branch, which I rarely do. Now I try to say that i'm fine just now thank you, and I don't want one.