Basic Bank Account Thread

teffers

I applied for a Nat-West Step at the beginning of August, they sent me the forms and I took them into the branch with ID on 11.08.09 and I'm still waiting for ANYTHING back.

UPDATE- Nat-West lost my app it seems - just had to re-apply.

Co-incidentally I did also apply for a Barclays basic account around the same time, they sent me the forms so I took them to the branch, again with ID, they stamped them and sent them off. Surprise surprise (as has happened to many others) after two weeks Barclays sent them back saying the branch hadn't stamped them correctly so I took them back to the branch again on the 20th of Augusts - nothing back yet for that one either.

It's obvious that if you needed an account from one of these basic account providers then a month to get through a process that other banks can do in 30 minutes (read Lloyds TSB who open an account immediately from a walk in customer) is pretty prohibitive. They simply want to make it as difficult and lengthy as possible to open one of these FSA 'encouraged' accounts for obvious reasons.

pfpf

does anyone have any knowledge of the RBS baisc account opening process?

Mum applied for an account over the weekend 2 weeks ago, all went through fine and got a message something like "we will be in touch by letter within 3 working days". as yet nothing..

there was/has been no email confirmation at any point either.

i did the whole thing for her and we cose RBS due to the fact it could be apllied for online and Mum finds it diffcult to speak over the phone so trying to find out whats happened is going to be tricky unless they would speak to me regarding her application!

thank you.

fawinds

pfpf wrote: »

does anyone have any knowledge of the RBS baisc account opening process?

Mum applied for an account over the weekend 2 weeks ago, all went through fine and got a message something like "we will be in touch by letter within 3 working days". as yet nothing..

there was/has been no email confirmation at any point either.

i did the whole thing for her and we cose RBS due to the fact it could be apllied for online and Mum finds it diffcult to speak over the phone so trying to find out whats happened is going to be tricky unless they would speak to me regarding her application!

thank you.

They send a letter within a few days with the paperwork to sign and some leaflets. Then you have to return the signed paperwork and, if asked, proof of id and/or address. Usually they delete applications after 28 days, so you should call just in case the letter got lost in the post.

teffers

RBS was the quickest to get sorted in my experience - all done within 2 weeks from start to finsh (SOLO card arrival etc)

Finally got my Barclays through (the one I really wanted) - only took a month :O

redgoblin

barclays basic cash card account has been fine for me, it has a proper debit card.

the only niggle is that you have to apply in branch unlike halifax or rbs where you can apply online.

teffers

The fact you can use the debit card in any Link cash machine is what attracted me to the barclays Cash account (over my Lloyds TSB CA that only lets you withdraw from their machines - that has to be a massive drawback but I guess as it's a basic account they want to minimise their costs).

Katka73

I have just opened a Co-op cashminder account over the phone. It was very easy and was accepted straight away. I was able to add my husband without him needing to speak to them and no id was needed-I guess because the credit check showed us on the electoral role.

I am very pleased because our Barclays current accounts are in a right old mess and we are reclaiming charges under hardship.

I am not too worried about their 3 strikes and out policy because we are opening the account to get out of the cycle of bounced payments and charges. I feel relieved that I've taken a step towards sorting out the financial disaster that is my life!!

Anyway I was pleased with their service and it only took 15 minutes, cards and paying in book should arrive next week. Lets hope it all goes to plan.

EasternEurope_2

cifpower wrote: »

You can just open an Easycash account from the Halifax online

This is not true for everyone. Depending on whether or you show up on their systems, you will have to send in your original Id, and proof of address to them by mail, which is risky because you can potentially lose your Id. I personally was asked to send it all the original documents and have decided not to pursue because I don't want to risk losing any of my documents. Barclays is better in this respect because they can photocopy and verify the documents in branch, but Halifax requires you to send in originals by mail and refuses to deal with applicants in branch. I actually had to deal with a very rude employee.

techmax76

Here are some list of the banks I found useful and gives best clients interest and benefits:
Halifax
Barclays
HSBC
NatWest (As long as you stay in credit)
Nationwide
Co-Operative .

You just have to know what you're looking for before opening an account. I hope this helps. Thanks

fawinds

EasternEurope wrote: »

This is not true for everyone. Depending on whether or you show up on their systems, you will have to send in your original Id, and proof of address to them by mail, which is risky because you can potentially lose your Id. I personally was asked to send it all the original documents and have decided not to pursue because I don't want to risk losing any of my documents. Barclays is better in this respect because they can photocopy and verify the documents in branch, but Halifax requires you to send in originals by mail and refuses to deal with applicants in branch. I actually had to deal with a very rude employee.

Are you a British or EEA citizen?

Both me and my wife opened an Easycash account online and were only asked for a photocopy of ID. I sent a photocopy of my UK driving licence and my wife a photocopy of her EEA id card.