Santander just opened an INSTANT PLUS account for me ...strange

yesican

Hi guys,

Maybe there's some light at the end of the tunnel for the undischarged BRs.

I went to a Santander branch yesterday in trying to open a bank account since Barclays and Coop were my creditors and coop have shown me the door while Barclays have given me a cash account but can only view my balance via ATM or weekly statements sent out to me.

I know this will sound weird but,after going back and forth with Santander (they refused to open a basic account for me yesterday morning thanks to my BR status and then, received a phone call from them yesterday afternoon asking me to go to the branch today).Went back in this morning and they opened a basic account for me after the staff's frequent visits to his boss and some phone calls later.

Ive been given my bank account details (sort code and account number) and the long card number and told to go ahead and transfer all my income and expenditure to their account as my Visa DEBIT card will be arriving within the next 7-10 working days.


Maybe its down to luck but at least i can smile now.

All the best guys..

wildheart83

I kept my full Santander account open throughout my BR year, despite being told by the branch that they would close it within 24 hours. Had me panicking and all sorts thinking I'd have no money to get to work etc.

The guy I spoke to mentioned that they have a BR dept who look after accounts, so it sounds like they're starting to be a bit more sensible about BRs and giving accounts.

I spent the first 6 months of my BR expecting my account to be closed, but it didn't happen. Keeping my fingers crossed for you OP x

yesican

@ Wildheart83--I know what you mean there and holding your breath in case they closed it.The BR team were quite nice..They asked me on the phone if i was planning on going BR again anytime soon and i was like ..ahh..no!:shocked::shocked: (weird question though) and thats when they told me that they're opening one for me..phew..

Knowing that you also felt them same way about whether to go ahead and start the transfer or not makes me feel sane now!lol
Thanks for that.

IF

Hi yesican, I am pleased and it sounds promising but the key will be in receiving your card. Please let us know when you receive it.

If...x

wildheart83

FYI you can't go BR a second time in Scotland within 5 years of the first time, the BR team should have known that!

If you read on the banking forum, Santander get slated but if you play by their rules and don't ask for anything too complex they're absolutely fine. And much more convenient for me than Barclays or Coop x

yesican

ifwisheswerehorses... wrote: »

Hi yesican, I am pleased and it sounds promising but the key will be in receiving your card. Please let us know when you receive it.

If...x

@Ifwisheswerehorses.....Thanks for that...

Will keep you posted once i receive it.Believe me,im keen to get my hands on that card! :dance::dance:

yesican

wildheart83 wrote: »

FYI you can't go BR a second time in Scotland within 5 years of the first time, the BR team should have known that!

If you read on the banking forum, Santander get slated but if you play by their rules and don't ask for anything too complex they're absolutely fine. And much more convenient for me than Barclays or Coop x

I kept asking myself again and again in my head if i'd heard the chap right---i thought,was he serious about that question??--After what ive put myself through,there's no way in hell that i'd put myself through that again.

Im literally combining through my income and expenses everyday now,planning way ahead of time for any payments that are due to go out,how to spend my money--anything to do with ££ss,my eyes are wide open!!--Its amazing how you see ££ss in a different light after having gone through BR...lol

JustinCredibleGillespie

Thats fantastic news! :D:D

JCG

xx

Toe-Jam

Santanders basic bank account doesn't come with a visa debit card, its just a cash card.

Remember - Basic Current accounts do not provide an Arranged Overdraft facility, a chequebook or a debit card and you do not earn interest on the balance

On another note, I think a BR cutomer is a bit of a paradox. Banks don't want to know them. But yet they are the safest customers, they have Zero debt, and they can't borrow anything. All they can do is invest. Whats so bad about that ?

yesican

Toe-Jam wrote: »

Santanders basic bank account doesn't come with a visa debit card, its just a cash card.



On another note, I think a BR cutomer is a bit of a paradox. Banks don't want to know them. But yet they are the safest customers, they have Zero debt, and they can't borrow anything. All they can do is invest. Whats so bad about that ?

@Toe-Jam---Thanks for you post .You could be right there,although;

I was advised by the bank that its a visa debit card (i know of electrons being replaced by visa debit cards by other banks and i asked about the card just to be sure).Maybe its like Barclays cards (visa debit) for their basic accounts..hm

Im no expert but i was simply stating what i was told by the bank (i.e i'd be able to use the card for purchases online,instore,bookings etc ).Tbh,whether its a visa debit card or electron card or whatever card i get,as long as it works-im ok with that.. :-)

I guess i'll find out in 7-10 working days when the card comes through.

There has been so many changes made by the banks that nothing suprises me anymore...lol

yesican

Toe-Jam wrote: »

Santanders basic bank account doesn't come with a visa debit card, its just a cash card.
QUOTE]

You planted a seed in my head and this has prompted me to check on their website about the type of card that i'd be getting.

It appears that it'll be a cash card and not a visa debit card like i was told by the bank staff..hm

Ah well,at least i still have an account which is what i was looking for in the first place.

This might actually save me from overspending online like i used to! ..:dance:

Im still a happy chappy....