How long have you been with your bank?

[Deleted User]

Hi guys,

Quick question. This is a common question in credit card applications but does anyone know how much bearing it is likely to have?

Reason I ask is that I recently (May 12) switched from HSBC to First Direct and am planning on a new credit card app in the next few days. I was with HSBC for about 8 years with no problems, just thought I'd give FD a go. Is the fact that I've only been with FD for a few months likely to be an issue with the CC company-AMEX in this case?

I still have my HSBC current account open (a graduate account) and also have their 6% Regular Saver (make the max monthly deposit) and a CC with a £6k limit (no balance) with them, but my salary is now paid into my FD account.

As far as the question "How long have you been with your bank?" is concerned, could I still put down my HSBC account or would that be untrue? Would is make much of a difference either way?

Grateful for your thoughts.

zerog

Lazyloki wrote: »

Hi guys,

Quick question. This is a common question in credit card applications but does anyone know how much bearing it is likely to have?

Reason I ask is that I recently (May 12) switched from HSBC to First Direct and am planning on a new credit card app in the next few days. I was with HSBC for about 8 years with no problems, just thought I'd give FD a go. Is the fact that I've only been with FD for a few months likely to be an issue with the CC company-AMEX in this case?

I still have my HSBC current account open (a graduate account) and also have their 6% Regular Saver (make the max monthly deposit) and a CC with a £6k limit (no balance) with them, but my salary is now paid into my FD account.

As far as the question "How long have you been with your bank?" is concerned, could I still put down my HSBC account or would that be untrue? Would is make much of a difference either way?

Who knows how AMEx thinks? If your account is still open, how can it be untrue to put it down?

The only time I would worry about this is if applying for a CC from a bank I already have an account with.

Gromitt

I've been with my current bank for about 3 months, but I've been with FD and it's not dormant, so I put 12 years on any credit application (and can prove it). Providers like stability.

guesswho2000

I've got several accounts which I've opened for various reasons, but when asked on forms I always quote my NatWest current account, open >10 years.

Anthorn

I think it might be something like 35 years. It started off as National Girobank, then Girobank plc, then Alliance & Leicester and now Santander. I wonder what's coming next?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the replies. I'd like to put down my HSBC account on the application as its been open for far longer than my First Direct. Was just a little concerned that the CC company might be able to tell that HSBC is no longer my primary account and therefore refuse my application.

Gromitt

Lazyloki wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I'd like to put down my HSBC account on the application as its been open for far longer than my First Direct. Was just a little concerned that the CC company might be able to tell that HSBC is no longer my primary account and therefore refuse my application.

How are they going to do that without you sending them bank statements? They will know when you opened your latest current account, but that could be just for bill payments like many people are doing these days.