help wanted - Portman and Financial Ombudsman

codetown

kismetkaz wrote: »

Hi there. I would appreciate some advice on an issue I have with the Portman Building Society. In brief, I had a Portman account, the book showed £25.02 balance so I closed it and got back a cheque for £100.18.

Sorry mate, I don't understand: why did you close your Portman account in the first place if you wanted to take part in the Nationwide membership?
Aren't all Portman members converted to Nationwide anyway (and only those with balances over 100 get the bonus)?

In any case I would doubt that the Ombusman could do anything in your favour in this case. At most you could claim the loss of interest on the 75 pounds which suddenly appeared on the account.
But membership rights are not a thing that can be easily quantified... And in any case what would you get? A hope for a future bonus which will probably never materialise! I think it is a battle not worth fighting for.

Take the 160 pounds and forget about portman and natiowide.

bristolleedsfan

EdInvestor wrote: »

What nonsense. All the mutuals say that, right up to the day they decide to convert or merge.

and no building society that has merged since the signaways were introduced have stuck to the signaways so its a non issue both ways

the poster asked for 160.00( we are all stuck with portman accounts till possible end of september) and got what he/she wanted then is asking the forum should he/she go back for something else, clever person would have asked for both in first instance :cool:

EdInvestor

I agree that KK made a negotiating error in mentioning the 160.He should have just asked for what was rightfully his - option 1.The Ombudsman agreed with him, that's why it sent the complaint back and why the Portman has now made the offer.

But correctly the Portman should restore his account, credit it with 160 pounds and then move it to the Nationwide, so KK then becomes a non signaway member.

Just because a member is a bit hesitant in knowing how to claim his rights doesn't mena a BS should be allowed to get away with incorrect treatment.