Santander bank student account 2012/2013: We want your feedback

Maureen_Hall

My daughter had an appointment on 22 August to open her student bank account. She was told that she would hear from them within a week. She has tried more than 3 times to find out what has happened as she hasn't heard a thing. Only managed once to speak to the person she was dealing with who was most unhelpful and the other times no one answered the phone. Today we went into the branch (Taunton) to be told she had been declined and a letter had gone out 3 days ago. She has not had a letter. The man again was not helpful except to refer us to Experian. She cannot have a bad credit file as she has never had any credit, had a job, lived away from home etc. How can she possibly have a bad credit score as a student? Maybe they advertise this account but don't actually want to give students it? She has now had to sign up to Experian to find out what they are saying - can't find out for 5 days apparently. So she has just converted her Halifax bank account into a student account immediately. They were very helpful and much more pleasant to deal with. Avoid Santander!

nikki2804

I applied to Santander for this account mainly due to the fact that they offer the free railcard (saving me an absolute fortune)

I got an automatic decline because I held two existing accounts. I complained because their own website did not say I could not open an account, simply that I had to call instead. I even offered to just transfer my single account but I refused point blank to cancel my joint account because that is my bills account. After much to-ing and fro-ing and me pointing out that my single account was my main account they agreed to do a transfer.

I'm now the owner of the 123 student account and my rail card has been dispatched. Now I'm debating withdrawing the full overdraft and sticking it an ISA for 4 years.:D

suzpegg

My daughter opened an account with santander and everything they promised, they delivered!
Within weeks she had an overdraft of £1500.00 absolutely no interest on it. Thankfully shes only used the odd £300-400, but its there if she needs it.
With most of her money going on rail fares shes saved a fortune with the 4yr free railcard, a Godsend! A 3rd off any journey.
Highly recommended

chiiyo

I applied for a student account with Santander back at the start of the year. I have two accounts with Lloyds, an ISA and a savings account. Santander declined my application directly at the appointment with me there. They advised that something came up on my Experian credit report.

I signed up with Experian on their free trial and could see nothing on the account, I called Experian and they confirmed that there was nothing on my account and my credit rating was more than good and I had no debts. Experian also confirmed that they had no requests from Santander into my credit rating.

No idea there, so I took my business elsewhere.

Savy.Student

I had an appointment to open a 123 Student Account today and got accepted with the initial credit limit of £250.
I already have a student account with Lloyds Bank as I already completed my first year at uni. However I chose to change my uni course and would be starting again from year one. I explained this to the lovely woman (Sally at the Melton Mowbray branch) who said that wasn't a problem and I could apply for a year one switch, so I will still have the student account for a further 3 years of my new course's duration.
I'm guessing all went well with my credit check, I'm 23 so I have built up a credit history compared to some 18 year olds fresh out of A levels.
Couldn't be happier with the customer service today

davethorp

Got the max £1500 overdraft in years 1-3 but now I'm in year 4 they haven't increased it to £1800 and it's stayed at £1500

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Just to say that I had called in at Santander today, with an appointment, to open an account. They told me in no uncertain terms that I could not open an account with them if I already had a student account elsewhere. Even though in the description for their student account it says in the MSE student accounts guide that you are no prohibited from doing this in the T & Cs. So clearly, as I've read many a time concerning Santander and other accounts, what you can do in theory and what they'll grant you in practice are two wholely different things.

It's a shame, but there are better accounts out there anyway so no huge loss.

terriblechester

Hi all - just to clarify (as I mistankenly tried to apply for this) you need to be on a course of UNDERGRAD study. So unfortunately doesn't apply to us postgrad/PhD guys. Shame.

theburningcat

terriblechester wrote: »

Hi all - just to clarify (as I mistankenly tried to apply for this) you need to be on a course of UNDERGRAD study. So unfortunately doesn't apply to us postgrad/PhD guys. Shame.

There's also a 123 Postgrad account. I have one. Getting the full overdraft was easy. Dealing with their customer service over the last few years has been hard

Dr_Crypto

I applied for this and was refused. :mad:

I am going back to University as a mature student. Despite the fact I own my own house, have a net income of about £3k a month, a clean credit history, and plenty of savings.

I only wanted it for the railcard.

Maybe it is ok for 18 year olds going to University for the first time but clearly not for anyone who is in any way a non-standard applicant.

I'll stick to Barclays where I've held a current account for years.