Its that time again!!

brewerdave

My wife went into a branch of NatWest yesterday to query why they had returned a cheque for a large amount to another bank (for a savings account opening) without contacting us.
After about a ten minute faff about they revealed that "her signature didn't match" - apparently the one they had on file from pre 2000! was very slightly different, so she asked for the necessary forms to provide a new specimen signature.
At this point all the counter clerk seemed to want to do,was convince her to make an appointment to have our "usual" current account review -it took a lot of effort to get her to produce the necessary mandate -and even then, she almost had to rip herself away from the attentions of the counter staff to get out of the door.
Ten minutes later, I got harangued over the phone at home by a call centre person ,who was trying to insist that I HAD to make an appointment for a review!!
I've had enough!! I'm moving my account elsewhere after nearly 40 years with them man and boy. At least I can get some interest on money held in a current account elsewhere!:T

Archi_Bald

Why did you use a cheque for the transfer of money to your savings account? Could you not do it online? Very few savings accounts still insist on a cheque.

psychic_teabag

Some do still want a cheque for opening the account initially, even if they allow subsequent deposits electronically.

dr_adidas01

Yes certain accounts do still require a cheque to open an account.

Recently opened one with virgin money and I had to pay the initial opening amount via cheque.

Then any subsequent payments can be made via electronic transfer.

Herbalus

brewerdave wrote: »

My wife went into a branch of NatWest yesterday to query why they had returned a cheque for a large amount to another bank (for a savings account opening) without contacting us.
After about a ten minute faff about they revealed that "her signature didn't match" - apparently the one they had on file from pre 2000! was very slightly different, so she asked for the necessary forms to provide a new specimen signature.
At this point all the counter clerk seemed to want to do,was convince her to make an appointment to have our "usual" current account review -it took a lot of effort to get her to produce the necessary mandate -and even then, she almost had to rip herself away from the attentions of the counter staff to get out of the door.
Ten minutes later, I got harangued over the phone at home by a call centre person ,who was trying to insist that I HAD to make an appointment for a review!!
I've had enough!! I'm moving my account elsewhere after nearly 40 years with them man and boy. At least I can get some interest on money held in a current account elsewhere!

I think the staff have been quite reasonable and honest here. The head honchos at HQ have rolled out quite frankly rubbish interest rates and the staff were clearly trying to stop you from opening the account. If they are willing to lose a customer because it's in the customer's best interest to leave for a better bank, good on them.

I would write a letter thanking them for giving you the necessary push (hard though that may have been, tough love can be difficult sometimes), and that you'll remember how far they've gone to get you a better deal.

alanq

Herbalus wrote: »

The head honchos at HQ have rolled out quite frankly rubbish interest rates and the staff were clearly trying to stop you from opening the account.

If I understand the OP correctly the customer was trying to move a large sum FROM NatWest to somewhere else and the suspicion is that NatWest bounced a cheque and tried to force the customer to attend a meeting to try to get them to reconsider.

Herbalus

alanq wrote: »

If I understand the OP correctly the customer was trying to move a large sum FROM NatWest to somewhere else and the suspicion is that NatWest bounced a cheque and tried to force the customer to attend a meeting to try to get them to reconsider.

I assumed that when the OP said Natwest returned the cheque it meant they had not accepted it and sent it back to the originator bank.

But if you're right, hang them all! Disgraceful behaviour, trying to convince you to stay with their pants interest rates. You should write a letter to the customer service adviser noting that he doesn't advise very well and that, as an example to improve his performance, you are prepared to advise him where to put his own personal savings at a less pants rate.

Archi_Bald

Herbalus wrote: »

You should write a letter to the customer service adviser noting that he doesn't advise very well and that, as an example to improve his performance, you are prepared to advise him where to put his own personal savings at a less pants rate.

Letters from customers are most likely not on a customer service adviser's crib sheet.

brewerdave

Just to be clear - the cheque was NatWest's made out to a second financial institution - Natwest refused to pay because my wife's signature has altered very slightly -she was actually shown the one held by NatWest (from God knows when!) and the final "s" was different!
The complaint wasn't that they had stopped the cheque -I'm sure I would be grateful if it had been fraudulent ! - but that they hadn't informed us before bouncing it ,and then to spend ages trying to set up a "review".....annoying or what.
Now well on with setting up a new account -in the process of moving salaries,DDs etc across -Natwest's loss!!


Also most postal savings accounts insist on a cheque for opening -many state that it has to be for the total amount -no further deposits allowed