Barclays' Personal Banker Refused me a Current Account

2sides2everystory

I don't know what you all feel, but think it is rather frightening what big brother thinks he has on us ...

We clearly need a different term to "jobsworth" which describes someone misguided but who might really be relatively soft and cuddly when he has his slippers on, and his Mum loves him.

There's a new breed out there people - I think I may need to re-read some George Orwell to find an apt new term.

MPH80

cha0s wrote: »

Credit cards don't work that way.... otherwise I would also be doing that!

Actually ... See here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/stooze-cash-credit-cards - in particular the "SBT method" bit.

Made quite a few hundred pounds out of this before the fees got too high and made it not worth it.

Svenena

I don't think there's anything strange about what the OP was doing - lots of people on here have multiple current accounts in order to take advantage of different benefits. I have 4 myself. Until recently I also had a graduate account with a large overdraft which I wasn't using, and considered withdrawing the money to put into a high interest savings account (Martin suggests this in one of the articles on this site in fact), but as it was with Lloyds, I got rid of it in favour of a Vantage account.

It sounds to me like the banker was having an off-day, and thought it sounded a bit suspicious that the OP wanted another account, which was likely not to be used as their main one. I think this is understandable, and they are entitled to turn you down for whatever reason if they're suspicious. However it does sound like they were very rude, and I probably would have complained about this too. I wouldn't expect to get very far with this though, given the OP isn't a customer of the bank.

GreenSheep

I also see nothing wrong with having multiple accounts.

I have 5 at the moment:

1 for my main dealings - Standing orders, direct debits, spending money, etc.
3 for savings - Lloyds Vantage accounts
1 for travel insurance - Nationwide (actually openned it when withdrawals abroad were free but pay in money each month to get the travel insurance)

When the Lloyds Vantage reduces in June, depending on what is about, I may end up openning other accounts.
I will keep the Vantage accounts open as they make a great place to drop large amounts of money and still earn interest while moving it around, for example in March getting ready for the new ISA year - I have a debit card and cheque book for each account making movement to a Cash ISA/S+S ISA very easy.

If I open a savings account with another bank I would always also open a current account aswell to act as a gateway into/out of it.

So in summary; post-June I think I will have 6 or more current accounts depending on whats on the table.

AndyJ52

cha0s wrote: »

Sorry to hear that! The banks really are lame and have no respect for their existing customers or even new customers. This is why I take advantage of every offer they make available because they pretty much take us for a ride lending our money out at extortionate rates and give us crappy savings rates in return.

I am also a share holder in Barclays so have a vested interest in the company and they wont even allow me to open a current account!! Nice.

My bolds in the quote.

I think that you're dead right cha0s. These institutions have created an environment where many feel somewhat aggrieved by the manner in which some high street banks treat their often long term customers. 'Pay back', as one might call it, of this sort is perhaps simply an unintended consequence of their own actions & attitudes. Good for you cha0s for taking the time and trouble to play them at a version of their own game. :T:T

With regard to the bank official that you spoke with. Yes, she may well be empowered to use her judgement & experience to decline you an account, that's fine. She may even be permitted not to give you a clear explanation as to her reasons for the refusal. However, as she's employed in a role which is primarily 'front of house', meeting customers, potential or current, she has absolutely no remit to be rude, unpleasant or slightly intimidatory, as implied in your original post.
I'd write to the branch manager, at the very least, and complain about her customer service style and approach, detailing how it made you feel. Her manner clearly hasn't created a very favourable impression of the business that she's paid to 'front' has it?
Maybe she needs some help, support and guidance in refining her people skills. You never know, you're letter might just be the catalyst required for Barclays to assist her and open up a whole new, happier way for her to enjoy her job!