Help! I don't understand why I can't open a Santander ISA today

TopCatz

I set up two ISA last year for my wife and I with Halifax. Put in up to the maximum allowance for the tax year already and got the interest recently :T

However, I had real problems with online access with Halifax, so I have almost completed a switch to Santander (I know, I know, v. poor customer service). I opened a new Direct ISA with Santander no problem and plan to put in up to my allowance starting next week. However, my wife has just tried to open her Direct ISA and the branch told her she couldn't open a new ISA if she has already invested her allowance this year? Surely, you can open an ISA account any time as long as you don't put in more than your annual allowance? I would appreciate any advice on this

CharlieBilly

I am having problems with them too rang there number but I cant speak to them until after April 6th for a new ISA.

I cant start a isa application either because of a stupid question on there online form

How are you saving for this tax yet?

1. send cheque from a/c in my name
2. move money from my satander a/c or current a/c
3. No new savings

All I wanted was to do a transfer and fund this new isa after April 6th with new money as and when I have some savings

evenasus

TopCatz wrote: »

Surely, you can open an ISA account any time as long as you don't put in more than your annual allowance?

Yes you can open as many ISAs as you like but of course you can contribute to one.

I'd go back and speak to another person.

Their website states clearly

Apply online today for your 2012/2013 cash ISA.

So I don't see a reason not to be able to open one in a branch.

Take a screen shot of the page below and take it to the branch.

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1237851469036&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateW2

Kingj_2

Apply online for the new tax year on the website. As mentioned above just select sending cheque or no new funds to bypass the funding section that the other person had problems with.

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Satellite?appID=abbey.internet.Abbeycom&c=Page&canal=CABBEYCOM&cid=1237910885353&empr=Abbeycom&leng=en_GB&pagename=Abbeycom%2FPage%2FWC_ACOM_TemplateG

Kingj_2

evenasus wrote: »

Yes you can open as many ISAs as you like but of course you can contribute to one.

I'd go back and speak to another person.

Their website states clearly
So I don't see a reason not to be able to open one in a branch.

Take a screen shot of the page below and take it to the branch.

The website states you can open the account online. You can only open an Isa in branch or on the telephone at the moment for this tax year due to the tax year end being tomorrow so allows the customers who have left it late to fund this years isa to get their isa opened and funded as obviously after the 5th of April they would then lose this years allowance if the accounts not opened and funded. From a service perspective makes sense to me.

evenasus

Kingj wrote: »

The website states you can open the account online. You can only open an Isa in branch or on the telephone at the moment for this tax year due to the tax year end being tomorrow so allows the customers who have left it late to fund this years isa to get their isa opened and funded as obviously after the 5th of April they would then lose this years allowance if the accounts not opened and funded. From a service perspective makes sense to me.

The OP has already used their allowance for this year, they're just wanting to transfer to Santander.

If they wait until after the 5th, the rate might drop. I think this is one of the considerations the OP might have.
Hence, they'd like (and they should be able) to open the Direct ISA today.

I opened the Santander 2 year Fixed rate Major ISA earlier this month. I didn't fund it, as I'd already used my full allowance.
I've now transferred an ISA to it from another provider.

TopCatz

Thanks for the advice - I think the branch staff don't understand and I was right - I simply want to get this ISA opened so that we can start investing in it and use up our allowance for NEXT tax year and also transfer the cash ISA from Halifax now the rate has gone down

CharlieBilly

There online service or lack of it is just as bad. Try to start a new isa only to be told to ring back in new tax year. Why is it so difficult to start a new isa to get ball rolling for next tax year. I think I might stick with Halifax at least you get some where with them

ButtersUK

I swore I'd not have anything more to to with them when I had such dreadful service from them last time round.........but yesterday I checked ISA rates as I'm due to renew soon. Their rates were better than most for what I wanted, so thought it best to ring them just to be sure I could get a sensible, helpful response to my initial enquiries on the phone. I won't bore you with reams of minutiae, but suffice to say I decided to go with Birmingham Midshires. What a difference!!!!!

I've had countless accounts with loads of banks and institutions and in no way would I recommend anyone put their head in to this particular lion's mouth...you'll get bitten. BAD BAD attitude at the very outset. If it's bad during initial, introductory conversations (WHICH IT WAS) do you trust them to get it right when you're entrusting them to handle account transfers?. From experience, the answer is NO!