Natwest/RBS accounts sold to Santander....

inkslinger

Just had a telephone call today saying my business account is one on the list to be Sold. I opened it years ago via telephone banking rather than in branch and even though responsibility for its upkeep has been transferred to my local branch (with an excellent business manager I may say) my sort code is an older one and on the "sold" list.

Firstly Id like to thank the Eurocrats for merrily making my life hell over the next few weeks. Iv told Natwest Id rather eat my toe nails and drink my own urine than have another account with Santander after my mortgage debarcle with them. And have chosen to "opt" out. This of course means closing my account and reopening it all over again with Natwest.

My understanding is they are unable to give me a new sort code and keep my account number. I have in fairness yet to speak to my Business Manager and am awaiting a call from him tomorrow to try and sort out this mess. Though Iv resigned to the fact its very likely going to be the seventh circle of hell for a month until its put right.

My advice to anyone with a Natwest account opened via phone banking is check, check and check again as this seems to be sneakily been pushed through by the back door and both Santander and Natwest are not exactly forthcoming with info on this. Its my understanding that Natwest are under strict instructions not to encourange existing customers to opt out. Seems very strange.

Something just doesn't smell right with all of this..........

stclair

You can keep your account and ask for it to be transfered to another branch, however this will no doubt mean you will get a new sort code and account number.

You can request an account transfer form by calling 0800 210 0213.

Opening hours: 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm weekends and Bank Holidays.

zppp

inkslinger wrote: »

My advice to anyone with a Natwest account opened via phone banking is check, check and check again as this seems to be sneakily been pushed through by the back door and both Santander and Natwest are not exactly forthcoming with info on this. Its my understanding that Natwest are under strict instructions not to encourange existing customers to opt out. Seems very strange.

Something just doesn't smell right with all of this..........

It's because RBS Gorup has been told by the EC they must sell the RBS branches in England and the Natwest branches in Scotland. I believe it has to be complete by 2013. Under competition rules, they cannot encourage people to stay with RBS/Natwest.

inkslinger

Thanks for that. I was hoping my Business Manager would clear it up for me as the guys at the call centre just didn't seem to know what was going on at all!

pmduk

They're very restricted as to what they can tell people. Some people on here have moved to Natwest, whilst others, myself included, have just opened accounts at Scottish branches. You can either ask RBS to make the transfer for you or open the account yourself now and make the transfer at your own convenience.

inkslinger

You would really think there would be some rule about transparency over this now wouldn't you? A bank is told to sell your account to another bank, yet no one wants to tell you anything and Natwest RBS are almost on a gagging order.........

Doesn't that seem a little strange?

stclair

Have you viewed the information that has been made available to you on the website:

http://natwestbranchinformation.com/

This has been in the media for ages I thought you would have know well before the telephone call today you received today.

chambta

inkslinger wrote: »

You would really think there would be some rule about transparency over this now wouldn't you? A bank is told to sell your account to another bank, yet no one wants to tell you anything and Natwest RBS are almost on a gagging order.........

Doesn't that seem a little strange?

Legalities, that is all.

inkslinger

stclair wrote: »

Have you viewed the information that has been made available to you on the website:

http://natwestbranchinformation.com/

This has been in the media for ages I thought you would have know well before the telephone call today you received today.

Yes. I rang last year to check and was told my account wasn't affected. Now I'm told it is. Its a Natwest business account, but the sort code is apparently an old one opened through a call center and for that reason somehow falls into another bracket.........

inkslinger

Im assuming that because it was ran through a phonebanking service originally it may have a sort code for here that's based. Presumably Scotland or somewhere. I think it begins with a 60

Dr_Cuckoo3

inkslinger wrote: »

Yes. I rang last year to check and was told my account wasn't affected. Now I'm told it is. Its a Natwest business account, but the sort code is apparently an old one opened through a call center and for that reason somehow falls into another bracket.........

Can you confirm whether your sort code now appears on http://natwestbranchinformation.com/ as a sort code to be transferred to Santander and whether it appeared previously

and whether your branch is in England ?