First direct

ElmerFudd

I have just tried to open an account with First direct but have been declined.
I meet the criteria, so am just curious as to why I would have been declined. Has anyone else had problems getting an account with First Direct?

problemcashback

your signature might give you a clue

maninthestreet

FD cherry-pick their customers - you don't might their criteria.

ElmerFudd

A third of my debt is my student loan, which isn't even listed on my credit reports. Why would my debt level make them decline me?

VfM4meplse

ElmerFudd wrote: »

. Why would my debt level make them decline me?

Because FD are rightly very particular about who they will provide a service for. Customers who are a good match (inc myself, having been with them for the best part of 20 years) justifiably rave about the service they provide.

Catalogue users need not apply.

problemcashback

because they dont like debt and use it to cherry pick.

ElmerFudd

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Because FD are rightly very particular about who they will provide a service for. Customers who are a good match (inc myself, having been with them for the best part of 20 years) justifiably rave about the service they provide.

Catalogue users need not apply.

I don't use catalogues. Most of my debt was amassed during my Uni days including the student loans. Fair enough though.

jalexa

ElmerFudd wrote: »

I have just tried to open an account with First direct but have been declined.
I meet the criteria, so am just curious as to why I would have been declined.

These things happen from time to time. Hopefully you have a long memory.

If you haven't done so recently I suggest you obtain your Equifax and/or Experian credit reports and check carefully for errors and omissions. In particular look for a residential history going back at least three years including electoral roll registration. A one-off Statutory report costs £2.

I am assuming you have an existing current accoount and/or credit card(s) with another bank?

ElmerFudd

jalexa wrote: »

These things happen from time to time. Hopefully you have a long memory.

If you haven't done so recently I suggest you obtain your Equifax and/or Experian credit reports and check carefully for errors and omissions. In particular look for a residential history going back at least three years including electoral roll registration. A one-off Statutory report costs £2.

I am assuming you have an existing current accoount and/or credit card(s) with another bank?

Hi jalexa. I applied for all three credit reports within the last few weeks that showed nothing peculiar. The residential history also looked fine.
I have several bank accounts at the moment that I use for different purposes although I had a problem recently with my main bank account when I tried to use my card abroad (despite having informed the bank the dates I was away). This created untold problems which is my main drive to change banks. I have minor issues with the other two banks I am with which is the reason why I do not want to switch to those. I have credit cards which I have used in the past and am in the process of paying off, including one which I am paying roughly three times the minimum payments each month.

I have had no missed payments or overlimits in many years (although this did happen while I was at Uni). I have an agreed overdraft with one bank that I have been biting into in the last year while I have been paying off the high APR card, since the fee is much cheaper. Could this be causing the problem?

moonrakerz

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Because FD are rightly very particular about who they will provide a service for. Customers who are a good match (inc myself, having been with them for the best part of 20 years) justifiably rave about the service they provide.

Totally agree - best bank around - by far !

Lith

Tried to get an account with FD, but also declined, cheeky b/\stards... even tho i bank with HSBC and have no debt....


they kept nagging me i need to put my salary in with FD to have an account, i said many times no you don't just open an e-savings add £1.