Reclaim Unfair Bank Charges article discussion Part II

natweststaffmember

Escapee wrote: »

Hi Natwest staff mamber,

Yes I did, It is now a managed loan. And yers I am in financial hardship still as my hours have just been reduced due to the economic climate.

Go back to them again on financial hardship BUT DO NOT agree to additional borrowing......HSBC are known to do managed loans rather than deal with hardship. Extra borrowing doesn't reduce existing debt.

natweststaffmember

LizD wrote: »

I got my list of charges back today and I want to claim under the hardship clause.

I'd just like some advice on how to put my claim across. Basically, I work as a temp, but I haven't had an assignment since the end of April, so I have no income. I don't have a P45, as I haven't technically left employment. I am looking for another job, but no joy as yet. My husband is currently paying my commitments and all the household bills, but he has also built up debts due to us moving and him having to support me.

Please could someone advise me as to the best course of action. I'm with Natwest.

Do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)?

gemsln

natweststaffmember wrote: »

In that case, the bank charges one will come back with a wait til the OFT test case is over because of the repayment plans in place.....the PPI one though should be a win

The problem is I have debts coming out of the woodwork all the time that I didn't realise had been taken out in my name. Although I have £8 spare a month, anyone else wants money off me they've got no chance. I have to stay at a friends house 2 nights a week because I can't afford the petrol to drive!

natweststaffmember

gemsln wrote: »

The problem is I have debts coming out of the woodwork all the time that I didn't realise had been taken out in my name. Although I have £8 spare a month, anyone else wants money off me they've got no chance. I have to stay at a friends house 2 nights a week because I can't afford the petrol to drive!

Unfortunately that is how the bank will look at it but it might be worth adding that into any letter you send to them as well but on the face of it, they may no refund any amount.

LizD_2

natweststaffmember wrote: »

Do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)?

No, that's all paid by my OH as I'm not working. I have 2 loans (nearly paid off), and 4 credit cards to pay off.

natweststaffmember

LizD wrote: »

No, that's all paid by my OH as I'm not working. I have 2 loans (nearly paid off), and 4 credit cards to pay off.

It's unlikely they will look at the case as financial hardship....

Goodtimesahead

Natweststaffmember>

I have a friend in a lot of debt some £250k by way of a 2nd charge with a foreign bank in London, his 1st charge with Abbey or one of the main high st banks (can't remember which) only has a few k to pay. Anyway he's in debt due to business borrowing via the foreign bank since the 1990's, they are about to call in the loans totalling as above) His credit file is now poor so he couldn't get a re mortage although there is about 350k of equity in the house.

He suffered some major health problems a few years ago and that resulted in him not being able to work for about a year.

He would ideally not want to sell or lose his family house, does he apply for hardship rules even though the debts are on a 2nd charge and were as a result of business failures? What would you suggest as some areas to explore, he's only got until mid August as they are threatening court action after that time.
I believe the foreign bank are properly regulated withr the FSA etc

Some of his agreements for various amounts were signed back in the early 1990's so not sure if any are unenforceable, although they have a 2nd charge on all borrowings etc?

Thanks

natweststaffmember

He has priority debt arrears since he has a court date in August. If the charges have contributed to arrears on the account and the period of unemployment have been a factor then yes he may have a case on Financial hardship.
With regards to unenforceability, I have to say that it is way out of my knowledge to advise so apologies on that front.

norwichkaren

natweststaffmember wrote: »

karen, just to make sure, you have put their head office address on the claim form, right?

Erm, I am not sure if it head office or not? I put the address PO Box 581, Leeds on the claim form as that is where all my correspondence has been coming from? Does this make a difference then?

Bob_March

Hi all, my apologies if this question has already been covered.

I would like to start the process of reclaiming bank charges for the last 6 years on my current account. I'm wary of doing this at the moment as i constantley live in my 'authorised' overdraft. Can my bank, the Halifax, pull the plug on my account?

I'm not in 'financial hardship' but then i'm not flush either.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Bob