Halifax won't let me open a savings account without seeing an advisor?

surreysaver

Went into the Halifax today to consolidate my child's accounts into a higher paying account. 'No, we can't open accounts at the counter, you'll have to book an appointment with a financial advisor. This is due to rules implemented by the FSA'.

Has anyone else encountered this, or are they just acting unethically to get me to see a financial advisor?

Lokolo

Most likely the latter.

The counter staff most probably can't open the account and it will have to be done by someone else by appointment, but won't be because of the FSA.

As long as you refuse the crap products they offer during the sales pitch I doubt you will encounter any problems in opening the account.

opinions4u

Banking Advisers open kids accounts. If there's not one available you'll need to wait or make an appointment or go elsewhere. It's possible that Financial Advisers can also open accounts, although that's likely to be as a route in to looking at life assurance or longer term savings.

It is due to how they have implemented FSA rules that require them to demonstrate that they have given customers an informed choice around what products to take.

Cashiers cannot open a savings account these days and it's been a fair few years since they could.

mbailey

Yes I have had this, it is a complete joke with Halifax. I tried for 4 weeks to get an appointment on a Saturday to see an advisor to open an account but couldn't!

Sorry Halifax, I went to Northern Rock instead.

fiscalfreckles

This is usual for Halifax, and its a really irritating rule as there is seldom an advisor free immedaitely. Last time I made an appointment (in my lunch hour) they kept me waiting over 20 mins before we even started which did not impress.

opinions4u

Sounds like branches have a resourcing issue.

surreysaver

opinions4u wrote: »

It is due to how they have implemented FSA rules that require them to demonstrate that they have given customers an informed choice around what products to take.

To demonstrate that it is my informed decision to move money from a low-interest paying account to a higher one! Never heard so much b!ll!ocks! Surely they should be forcing me to have an appointment if I don't want to move my money to show it is an informed decision to keep it where it is?

surreysaver

Lokolo wrote: »

As long as you refuse the crap products they offer during the sales pitch I doubt you will encounter any problems in opening the account.

I might agree to buy everything they sell, then come home and cancel them all just to p!ss them off! It would make me feel better, anyway!

surreysaver

surreysaver wrote: »

I might agree to buy everything they sell, then come home and cancel them all just to p!ss them off! It would make me feel better, anyway!

Or maybe wait a few years, and anything that loses me money I could claim compensation by saying I was missold them under duress.

atush

If this had happened to me, I would have asked to see the manager, asked for the form for the children's acct, and given it to them there and then. And Tellers are allowed to verify/copy documents for bank/ML purposes.

If no manager was available, I would have stood over near the advisor and made a nuisance of myself until I was given said form.

opinions4u

atush wrote: »

If this had happened to me, I would have asked to see the manager, asked for the form for the children's acct, and given it to them there and then. And Tellers are allowed to verify/copy documents for bank/ML purposes.

If no manager was available, I would have stood over near the advisor and made a nuisance of myself until I was given said form.

It's more than possible that there is no form. Until the Banking Adviser has logged on, asked some questions and typed in the answers.