Banks & instant access accounts

Lild49

A question

Wanted to transfer a sum of money to my grandson, the bank said I couldnt transfer that amount and had to do chaps payment. So I asked what amount I could transfer, they told me and transfered it. I wanted to then transfer same lower amount to my daughter, and she could then transfer the amount to grandson, the bank said I couldnt do that either. I asked to take money out in cash they refused. Also asked if I could transfer an amount from a different account, as I have a few different accounts instant access. The answer was no.

My question is this correct, and what does instant access mean when I cannot access my own money.

The teller was going to do it until another person standing behind, said no.

We needed to see the private banker to sort out isa, which we did, we asked her if I could transfer from a different account she said yes, and then the person called her over and had a word and said no.

I am going to write a complaint, as I am disabled, and now have to go back up another day which is difficult since they closed the local branch. I also do not appreciate being watched, as I feel the person behind the counter was doing. I am in my 50,s and been with this bank since i was in school many yrs ago, and at this moment want to close the accounts.........
Please advise, as I feel they were incorrect to deny access to my own accounts.

agrinnall

I think you'll need to tell us a bit more, such as what bank it is and how much you wanted to transfer. I suspect the issue may be that they have a daily transfer limit for Faster Payments and BACS which is why they offered CHAPS, which is likely to have a much higher limit. The only thing I would question is not being allowed to do the transfer from another account, I would have thought any limit would be applied to a single account, but maybe it's a customer limit.

If you find it difficult to get to a branch then I'm sure there will be a telephone banking option if you don't want to use online banking.

Lild49

It was Barclays bank. I understand if they have a limit on one account, but not if a different account. So I will write a letter of complaint, as to me I have no instant access to my different accounts as is stated on their website.
I forgot to say the grandsons account is at the same branch too.

jen245

What type of accounts are they? If they are savings accounts, some savings accounts do not allow transfers or payments out to other accounts, unless its via a current account. Example, I have a savings account Natwest, but can only make transfers to my current account, also with Natwest. It doesn't allow me to make payments to other people out of it.
You need to check the T&C of the accounts you hold

Lild49

It was a current account. the others are saving accounts but still with instant access so they say. they also said I couldnt draw the cash out either. I think it was jobsworth, when he knew we,re finding a way around it.
I did speak to someone and ask the position, she said the staff had gone home and she will ring me monday. When i asked her name she told me and said she was the manager and she apologised. So will see what she has to say on monday but I also want it in writing. If I have not instant access to my own money, will close the accounts.
Still annoyed
Thanks for trying to help.

Olipro

In all pragmatic terms your options are:

1) write a cheque
2) make the payment in several bits that are under the threshold so you don't get knocked for £20 quid or more for the CHAPS transfer
3) phone them and give notice that you shall be wanting the amount in hard cash.

you may indeed need to first transfer the money to a current account (your own) in order to do one of the above - however, that will not be subject to a limit - I believe you are dealing with a jobsworth (or rather, some git who would hate to see you avoid paying for a CHAPS) so I heartily recommend obtaining his name and filing a formal complaint and if necessary, allege harassing behaviour.

DrSyn

1. What do the terms of these accounts say? They must have given you a copy of the terms when you opened them.

2. Ask them to shown you in their written their account terms and conditions where it says they are given the right to do this to you.

3. If you are still not happy they are complying with the terms you agreed to when opening the accounts. Ask them to put in writting to you, why they will not allow you to do what you believe you agreed to. That way they cannot later say you misunderstood what they said.

4. Make a written formal complaint to the bank. If not satisfied by the result take it to the Finacial Ombdsman!

Lild49

Hya thank you so much for all your help everyone.

Olipro, your words say exactly how I feel, jobsworth. What I also didnt like was the thought that he was watching us........... I wanted to go back to the teller, to ask if i could take it out of another account,,, I had only just moved from the window but another in the queue had got there.

I was standing thinking ill have to go back in the queue, when the private banker, lady asked if she could help she called us over. Its her i explained what had happened and she said yes she could do that. The numpty, who must have been watching me (Im still fuming at this) as I,d done nothing wrong. He called her over when she was sat talking to us. I could hear her saying its a different account, and he still said no........ she was embarrassed when she came back to the desk.

Im definately going to write a complaint whatever tha outcome...... and I will tell them I felt harrassed by this person. Im still upset by this, it prob seems stupid, but I dont want to go there again if thats how they treat you. It my money,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Im not a bank robber............. :eek:

Lild49

An UPDATE

The manager rang this morning, and apologised, saying it was a misunderstanding and that the man couldnt have realised it was a different account. (well thats ok then NOT)

I said he did know, as we said to the teller at the window, and he still interfered and said no. Also told the private banker, and when he called her over, we heard her saying to him "from a different account" and then heard him say no again.

The manager apologised but still said it was a misunderstanding. So I then said to her, gently, that maybe he should have listened, and been more helpful. She told me we should have been allowed to do the transfer, into another account.
So he WAS Wrong then.............:T