NatWest - "we can't give you a new one"

NatWestCustomer

Hi there

So I thought I'd lost my wallet last week. (Turns out it was actually down the sofa but I'd already cancelled the cards in it before finding it.)

I had a NatWest debit card and NatWest Mastercard in there.

The debit card I have had no problem with and have been issued a new one.

However, I have received a letter from Natwest saying that the credit card "is about to expire, but we can't give you a new one".

The letter goes on to say that "This is because of the way that you have been managing your credit card account, including your credit balance and the payments to your account."

Now I wouldn't normally take to the internet, but this has got me very frustrated. I phoned NatWest private banking who put me through to card services who said that "they cannot issue me a new card". No reason given other than to say, "sometimes we use credit reference agencies" but not saying that was the reason.

So I signed up to Equifax and that says I have a very good credit score.

I cannot recall having not met a payment on my card (I pay it off in full every month). Indeed I sometimes overpay by mistake and end up with a credit amount (which is actually the case now as they are sending me a cheque for £82).

So I have three principal questions:

- has anyone heard of something similar happening?

- is there anything suspicious I should be worried about here? As I say Equifax is clear.

- will NatWest not renewing my card affect my ability to get credit cards/mortgages in the future? I like having a credit card in case my debit card goes wrong and sometimes it can be cheaper (e.g. I think on holiday) plus there's the protection business.

Apologies for the rant, it's just that I'm not the sort of person that likes debt of any kind so to have an aspersion indirectly cast like this has really got to me.

Oh and I've been a NatWest customer for 16 years (not that I expect that that counts for anything of course).

Many thanks in advance,

An unhappy NatWest customer

Tixy

Its not uncommon for card providers to decide not to issue a customer with a new card.

Often, but not always, if a customer has a large balance that they are not reducing, sometimes as a result of something flagged up with a credit reference agency (not necessarily equifax could be one of the other 2), sometimes for other reasons that are not easy to tell as consumers.

It could be the credit balance that they don't like. Especially if this has happened more than a couple of times.

No reason at all it should affect your ability to get new credit. I'd consider applying for a new card somewhere else. If you many use it abroad you might look for one of the ones that are cheapest to use overseas.

NatWestCustomer

Cannot thank you enough.

I did wonder about the credit balance and maybe that was the issue.

Many thanks again.

Paul_the_Painter

If you're with private banking, I'd be inclined (once you've secured alternative banking facilities) to close your accounts with Nat West. Quite frankly I would take Nat West's actions as an insult. If they had a problem with your handling of the account regarding overpayments they should have said.
You are a valuable customer to them and they have annoyed you. Annoy them, move elsewhere.

[Deleted User]

I'd be shot of them if I were you. While technically you're not supposed to have a credit balance on a card, it's hardly a sign of a bad customer!

There is no reward for loyalty these days so I'd look into switching your accounts away from Natwest. Possibly seems like an overreaction but why not, it's easy to switch accounts nowadays.

bengal-stripe

NatWestCustomer wrote: »

So I thought I'd lost my wallet last week. (Turns out it was actually down the sofa but I'd already cancelled the cards in it before finding it.)

Do you frequently "lose" your card(s) needing replacements? That could be another reason for the bank not being interested in your custom.

After all, every replacement does cost the bank money, not only with issuing a new card but also adjusting security.

guesswho2000

bengal-stripe wrote: »

Do you frequently "lose" your card(s) needing replacements? That could be another reason for the bank not being interested in your custom.

After all, every replacement does cost the bank money, not only with issuing a new card but also adjusting security.

Indeed, in fact the T&Cs for my Nationwide CC state that if I lose it or have it stolen more than once every 12 months I have to pay £10 for a replacement!!