First Direct - Turned Down?!!

Hobo_2

I`m not the only one then, Bob years ago got knocked back gave me the same "criteria" answer

Only time i`ve ever had a NO from a financial organization

lisyloo

I would write in with the info provided in post #19.
No point talking to the call center operators.
Send it as a fomal complaint in line with their procedure that way it will get dealt with properly.

I would do this not necesasrily with a view to getting an account, but to get to the root of the problem which appear to go wider than FD.

dreamdreamer

I applied with them a year ago just after we'd moved house and was declined, applied again last month and was accepted. Other than a bit less debt the only difference is I'm on the electoral role now. So if you're not on it, that could well be it.

bobwilson

Hi everyone,

Well thanks all, I'm getting more info on here than I could ever have squeezed out of that First Direct lady ! :beer:

Thought' I'd check in quickly on the situation, and found a new email from Experian today:
"Thank you for requesting your credit report. Unfortunately we are unable to process this."

I'm going to put this on the side for now as I have a lot of work to get through, but guess I should come back to it asap as it's a bit worrying..

Just to answer a few questions..

Reaper wrote: »

how do you know you have a high credit rating if you haven't yet got your credit rating reports?

I changed my credit card last year, the lady told me I had a high credit rating. An independent mortgage broker told me the same thing

Reaper wrote: »

My guess is you have an absence of debt. Being in debt and handling it responsibly is what they are looking for. For example having credit cards and paying them off on time is far better than having no credit cards at all

But I do have an HSBC premier credit card and pay the whole balance off on time every month

Reaper wrote: »

if you are not on the electoral role (maybe because you recently moved house) that will count very heavily against you.

I wonder if this is why I'm having all this trouble. I didn't vote in the recent election. I had no idea it would impact my ability to get a bank account.. wow.

Now I know but I guess its a bit too late... I can't click "undo" and go back and vote.

You'd have thought it this was the problem, they'd ask for ID documents, passport, or bills. It's funny how 'the system' is so crude and quick to judge.

I'll come back to this and update you all on the outcome.. I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats with this fun, as I am.. haha!

Thanks everyone for your help

meer53

Just another thought, First Direct don't offer business accounts, could be another thing they based their decision on even though you applied for a personal account. Even if you didn't vote, you should still be on the electoral roll ? Did you get a voting card ? If you did then you are on it already.

waveneygnome

Agree Meer53.

You don't have to physically vote to get on the electoral role - in fact the opposite - you can't vote if you're not on it.

I think the best way to check is by contacting your local authority/council and ask to speak to the Electoral Registration Officer, who can usually check if you're on the role over the phone. Depending upon which part of the country you live in will depend upon which council you'll need to call - it won't be a Parish council (too small) - more likely a District or Metro council.

There is a basic online check below, but I don't know how up to date theyu keep it. (I've just checked mine and it appears to work OK)

http://www.192.com/electoralroll/search/

Good luck in solving the mystery

bobwilson

anselld wrote: »

Perhaps you should remind them of the lending code ....
http://www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk/docs/lendingcode.pdf

Particularly ....
56. If a lending application is declined following credit assessment, the subscriber should explain the main reason why if asked by the customer.

I know you are not intending to borrow, but the First Account is still a credit product.

I got a just letter from First Direct:

"..your request was declined because it did not achieve the required credit score.
The details of our Credit Scoring is commercially confidential, hence, we cannot discuss them further.
When completing our assessments, we also approach a Credit Reference agency called Experian Limited and I confirm that no adverse information was held against you by this agency."

Hmm... so there we go.

I'm still not sure why I was declined.

Interesting how there is a law to force banks to tell you why you're declined, and they get around it by saying "you didn't pass our special credit scoring criteria but we can't tell you why"

I don't know, sometimes it seems like most of these laws aim well but are a bit useless in practise..

The day I come across a company that actually offers customer service above legal requirements I think I will probably faint! :rotfl: