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

MrShazzyMan

To be honest I only opened this student account with santander as they were offering £50 for free however after getting my second installment sent to the santander account then transferred to my main barclays account which is a normal account from where I pay bills I got £1500 in overdraft which I will probably never ever use but can come in handy.

StacFace

I'm a first year who opened a student account with Santander last August. I had problems getting the overdraft, first being told that you had to deposit the loan to get any overdraft at all. I actually loaded up the Santander website on my phone to prove that this was false, at which point the staff member went into a back area for a while, then came back out and said I could open an appeal to get it. I was told I should hear back within a week, so when I didn't I went back in, to be told there was no record of an appeal on the system. I therefore had to do the same thing again, though this time I did actually hear back and got the overdraft. This then did increase shortly after the loan came in to the full amount. I've had the full amount since.

In short I wouldn't recommend them to most people, as not many have the cash to pay for the term's rent, food/other essentials and Freshers' Week events themselves if the overdraft doesn't come on time and their loan is also delayed. This happened to me, even though I applied very early for my loan and had confirmation of everything back by March, so I'd recommend everyone to assume it will happen to them.

Tracy62

Hmmm reading all this I'm surprised we had a very trouble free experience opening the account (in branch) and getting the overdraft. My son's problem has arisen because he noticed that new customers with no track record were now being offered £1500 overdraft whereas his had only just gone up to £1250 in his second year. He asked for an increase and it took them 2 weeks of faffing around and pushing him from pillar to post to finally send a letter out saying no. He has had an account with Santander since he was 15. Always stayed in credit when at school. Has made use of his overdraft facility on the student account but has never gone over the limit ever. As a long standing customer I was pretty annoyed that he is being offered a worse deal than new customers to the bank, although, having read the above threads it seems that the £1500 overdraft is a little elusive anyway.....

iAMaLONDONER

MrShazzyMan wrote: »

To be honest I only opened this student account with santander as they were offering £50 for free however after getting my second installment sent to the santander account then transferred to my main barclays account which is a normal account from where I pay bills I got £1500 in overdraft which I will probably never ever use but can come in handy.

How did you change banks ,was it easy?

jimmy_cricket

Just come back from a Santander bank, trying to set up a student account with my DD. She was REFUSED!!!! but could be given no reason why this would be (it was suggested that it may be that the family have a bad credit rating, but being MSE stalwarts, have no debt at all, never mind a poor credit rating). The branch are going to appeal this, but frankly, having never been refused any kind of account previously, I really feel like advising my daughter to tell them that she no longer wants to bank with them.

Cairez

Warning! I went to Santander today with my basic Santander Current account hoping to switch to a Student Current account (to nab that awesome railcard offer) as described on their website, but because I am in my SECOND year of study at university I am unable to switch.

Even though it states here;

Apply in-branch if:

you already hold a Santander Current Account.
you are in your 2nd year or above. We have a dedicated team who will mange the switch from your old account to the Santander Student Current Account.

What they actually mean by "old" account is a Student account with another bank.
Because I did not switch to a Student account in my first year (which I was unable to do, because I would not have had enough funds to go into the account to validate having a student account) I am unable to open/switch or have a Student account in any form with Santander.

Even closing my current account and applying for a Student account now is not available to me. Just a warning for those in 2nd year and above.

clairebear114

Have just been with my son to open his first student account. Because he already has a santander adult account opened last year when he was 18, he is exempt, even though it is not a student account. He could upgrade to this but would not receive the railcard. Very disappointed as I have been a customer for over 20 years. They'd rather give to strangers than reward loyal customers.

jimmy_cricket

clairebear114 wrote: »

They'd rather give to strangers than reward loyal customers.

...Or not! See my post above - most disgusted with their behaviour over this. It is beginning to appear more like an advertisement campaign, rather than a genuine offer. Sharp practice at the very least.

Herbalus

Cairez wrote: »

Warning! I went to Santander today with my basic Santander Current account hoping to switch to a Student Current account (to nab that awesome railcard offer) as described on their website, but because I am in my SECOND year of study at university I am unable to switch.

Even though it states here;

Apply in-branch if:

you already hold a Santander Current Account.
you are in your 2nd year or above. We have a dedicated team who will mange the switch from your old account to the Santander Student Current Account.

What they actually mean by "old" account is a Student account with another bank.
Because I did not switch to a Student account in my first year (which I was unable to do, because I would not have had enough funds to go into the account to validate having a student account) I am unable to open/switch or have a Student account in any form with Santander.

Even closing my current account and applying for a Student account now is not available to me. Just a warning for those in 2nd year and above.

I assume this is what you were told in branch? If so, you could go to a different branch or call them because I believe this to be incorrect. When I went to my local branch the staff didn't know how to open my student account as I already have a 123. After they spent 20 minutes on the phone with HQ they reported I could 'upgrade' my 123 to a student account.

There is nothing in the T+Cs to stop you opening an account, so make them aware of this.

Hasty1991

Herbalus wrote: »

I assume this is what you were told in branch? If so, you could go to a different branch or call them because I believe this to be incorrect. When I went to my local branch the staff didn't know how to open my student account as I already have a 123. After they spent 20 minutes on the phone with HQ they reported I could 'upgrade' my 123 to a student account.

There is nothing in the T+Cs to stop you opening an account, so make them aware of this.

If you don't hold any student account (with any bank) you won't be able to open a student account with Santander after year 1.

Unfortunately you can't upgrade from a basic account either. Anything else, sure, but not a basic account or instant plus.