Answering "how long have you had your account?" question

silvercar

Are you talking about customer number or account number? I've never had a customer number as far as I am aware.

If you move to a scottish RBS, do you keep the same account number with a different sort code? or do you get given a new account number? Who tells all the DDs?

I have asked NatWest if I can use their switching service for new account customers (this does all the DD transferring for you) but they are not sure if transferring RBS customers are allowed to use it!

carrieh

A customer number and an account number are different things. You won't necessarily be aware that you have a customer number, but if you are currently with RBS, you most certainly will because that is how they identify you throughout the years and how they link any separate accounts with them that you hold.

To move to RBS Scotland, simply sign up for a new account at any Scottish branch of your choice. Do this online, it's the easiest way, and when you get to the screen that asks you which branch you want to bank at (your current English branch will already be filled in for you if you have entered your online banking password when asked), click "other" and you will then be able to type in which branch in Scotland you want. Any will do. I chose Glasgow because I travel there a lot, but some folk on here have chosen Oban or Stirling or Inverness. It really doesn't matter. You will of course have a new sort code and a new bank account number.

Once your new account is open, you can then write to your English branch and ask them to transfer over the Direct Debits. Once they have done this and you've seen that all the DDs go out of the new Scotland based account, you can then close your English based account. You have then escaped the Santander takeover. Simples!

RBS will do all this for you if you ring the telephone number I quoted earlier and say you wish to stay with them at a Scottish branch rather than being transferred to Santander, but as I said in my original post, it's going to be chaos at that particular time (mid year I think) so I've done it myself, early, to avoid that chaos.

silvercar

carrieh wrote: »

A customer number and an account number are different things. You won't necessarily be aware that you have a customer number, but if you are currently with RBS, you most certainly will because that is how they identify you throughout the years and how they link any separate accounts with them that you hold.

To move to RBS Scotland, simply sign up for a new account at any Scottish branch of your choice. Do this online, it's the easiest way, and when you get to the screen that asks you which branch you want to bank at (your current English branch will already be filled in for you if you have entered your online banking password when asked), click "other" and you will then be able to type in which branch in Scotland you want. Any will do. I chose Glasgow because I travel there a lot, but some folk on here have chosen Oban or Stirling or Inverness. It really doesn't matter. You will of course have a new sort code and a new bank account number.

Once your new account is open, you can then write to your English branch and ask them to transfer over the Direct Debits. Once they have done this and you've seen that all the DDs go out of the new Scotland based account, you can then close your English based account. You have then escaped the Santander takeover. Simples!

RBS will do all this for you if you ring the telephone number I quoted earlier and say you wish to stay with them at a Scottish branch rather than being transferred to Santander, but as I said in my original post, it's going to be chaos at that particular time (mid year I think) so I've done it myself, early, to avoid that chaos.

Really useful info, thank you.

My problem is that I often need to pay in cheques over £1000 and NatWest won't allow this for an RBS account, even if they are from a NatWest account. So with no RBS branches near it would mean posting cheques to Scotland and I don't really want to have the worry of sending cheques in the post or the delay in them being paid in. At some point RBS and NatWest will be integrated and it will be possible, but that could be after I've been shipped to Santander.

carrieh

Yes, I agree that it a bit of a problem. I do think however that RBS will be finding a way to serve their English and Welsh customers. They have already agreed a deal with the Post Office concerning withdrawal of cash at Post Office branches, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if something is arranged concerning paying in at Post Offices also - or at least at Nat West branches in England and Wales. This information is on the FAQ page on the details concerning the transfer to Santander on the RBS website:

Q.
What will happen to my RBS personal account if I live in England or Wales but I opened my account in Scotland?



A.

As an RBS customer with an account held in Scotland you are not be affected by the sale and will remain an RBS customer. You will continue to have the same facilities. We are reviewing a number of options for providing branch access to our customers. This will ensure that, upon transfer of the branches which are part of the sale to the new owner, you will continue to have access to a branch service that meets your needs.

stclair

Natwest & RBS customers will be able to pay in and withdraw at the post office soon.

Plus there currently working on system upgrades etc for natwest customers to be able to pay in at a RBS branches
and vice versa and have access to the funds straight away etc.

carrieh

Excellent, that's great news, thank you!

silvercar

stclair wrote: »

Natwest & RBS customers will be able to pay in and withdraw at the post office soon.

Plus there currently working on system upgrades etc for natwest customers to be able to pay in at a RBS branches
and vice versa and have access to the funds straight away etc.

That's great news. Any idea how soon?

Not interested in the post office as the queues are too long.

SteveB81_2

Keep an account (basic savings/current account) with your current bank. You don't need to fund it and it will maintain a relationship with that bank thus giving you a longer history.

It isn't your most used account they refer to just how long you have held a relationship with the bank in question.