Natwest step account closing

spingoblin

chambta wrote: »

Open a First Reserve account. That comes with a cash card that can be used at any ATM. If you need to withdraw from a non-Group ATM you can do so from here.

good idea.

in sombre anticipation of my step account being downgraded to basic in the near future, with no local rbs/natwest atm's and with images in my mind of queues of harrassed housewives armed with their bags of catalogue returns and prams ahead of me in the PO queue i engaged in a bout of account applying a couple of weeks ago for both the select account (standard no fees version) and the first reserve and i've now got both - two cards that can be used in any atm.:j

my credit rating is awful after one or two defaults in 2008 so i'm surprised i sneaked through with a select (i'm aware of the fabled natwest avu btw but i hope i've survived) - i also made sure i didnt request an overdraft or cheque book in the application.

[Deleted User]

jen245 wrote: »

Because you already have a basic account (Step account). The email says they will change your account over to the Basic account and that your account details will stay the same.

I hope that is the case, but in the T&Cs of the email it makes me wonder whether I will be? As it says:

Just bear in mind some of our accounts require you to have a satisfactory credit record and all our accounts are only available to customers who meet the account eligibility criteria.

I know they refused me instantly because of my DRO

jen245

It says "some" of their accounts. You don't need to have decent credit for a basic account. You've managed to keep your Step account with a DRO, so I really think you are panicking unnecessarily

chambta

To be truthful you've every chance of getting a Select account however chequered your credit history (barring bankruptcy & recent IVA) as long as the Step account has been managed decently for a while.

osborn99

The online banking is excellent, you can open multiple savings account and transfer money instantly. I'm happy. Just have to remember to withdraw cash for when I travel.

KME91

Well I got this email today and went in to see them after talking to one of their online advisers. I've been told that I probably won't qualify for their select account because of my credit rating, but if I want to I can pay for the select silver account and I'll be guaranteed to get that! (yes I have this in writing)

So as far as I can see this is a cynical ploy to get their most vulnerable customers to take up a paid for bank account (or leave). I'll be changing my account as soon as I can, I simply cannot cope without access to any ATM, as a lot of my work takes me to rural locations on my own and I'm not wandering round strange towns hunting for a Natwest/RBS cash machine.

I've told them how appalled I am at their decision to do this but was told that most of the high street banks are doing this now, and there was nothing they were prepared to do basically. After always being really pleased with Natwest customer service I'm really unpleasantly surprised about this.

KME91

OK and having said all that I've just gone through the application process for a select account and been approved so that's that problem resolved. happier now. still not impressed with the customer service though.

virgin_moneysaver

KME91 wrote: »

Well I got this email today and went in to see them after talking to one of their online advisers. I've been told that I probably won't qualify for their select account because of my credit rating, but if I want to I can pay for the select silver account and I'll be guaranteed to get that! (yes I have this in writing)

So as far as I can see this is a cynical ploy to get their most vulnerable customers to take up a paid for bank account (or leave). I'll be changing my account as soon as I can, I simply cannot cope without access to any ATM, as a lot of my work takes me to rural locations on my own and I'm not wandering round strange towns hunting for a Natwest/RBS cash machine.

I've told them how appalled I am at their decision to do this but was told that most of the high street banks are doing this now, and there was nothing they were prepared to do basically. After always being really pleased with Natwest customer service I'm really unpleasantly surprised about this.

its not a ploy, you can have a select account which is the standard account without the 'silver' attached - the basic account (step) is really only for customers who have poor credit scores or are in receipt of benefits who tend to draw all their weekly money out in its entirety either over the counter or via their branch ATM

KME91

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

its not a ploy, you can have a select account which is the standard account without the 'silver' attached - the basic account (step) is really only for customers who have poor credit scores or are in receipt of benefits who tend to draw all their weekly money out in its entirety either over the counter or via their branch ATM

You obviously haven't read the second post that I put up. I wrote that original comment after being advised that I would not qualify for a select account because of my credit rating. it turns out their advice was wrong and I can qualify. As I said, disaster averted but still not happy with their customer service.

stclair

KME91 wrote: »

You obviously haven't read the second post that I put up. I wrote that original comment after being advised that I would not qualify for a select account because of my credit rating. it turns out their advice was wrong and I can qualify. As I said, disaster averted but still not happy with their customer service.

There is still a chance you could still get declined yet...

The application may get passed to AVU "Application Verification Unit" when they dig deeper into your credit history they may overturn the decision and decline you.