Bank won't open a simple current account without closing another (in another bank)?

inca996

Hi, Everyone,

Is this now a common practice these days and I just need to catch up with this?

Tried to open a simple HSBC bank account (to get a regular saver account). Provided the branch with ID and proof of address. As a proof of address I could use utility bill, but used instead a statement from my Santander current account (which obviously was my mistake!).

In a week or two I was told I must close Santander account in order to open HSBC account by someone at my local branch.

I never applied to any switch service (why would I - they don't give anything for that!), not to mention a full switch with account closing.

Calling to the general helpline:

First call: This is not a company policy, please talk to the branch manager, they should open an account for you.

Second call: Asked to transfer myself to the local branch, but have to repeat the whole story and someone at HSBC tells again - this is not a company policy and I'm not required to do that. This person offers me to talk to the branch manager on my behalf which looks nice at first.

After 5-10 mins of holding on the line he says:

1) Closing an account is still not mandatory per se, however
2) I must close it if I want to bank with HSBC

T&C do not have any such requirement, but "we impose this requirement on your personally".

I have a multiple of current accounts, why would they specifically target Santander? - This has been left without any meaningful explanation.

Can this be a case of discimination against Santander clients?

I told them that I won't close existing account and let the application be rejected. So I will get the rejection letter in writing in a few days.

Is that something normal that happens everywhere? It's not that big deal really, I appreciate they can select customers they want, but I do feel treated unfair for not being told about this upfront. And fee even angrier because two people told me I was right and then made a U-turn after speaking to the branch.

PS: Nothing dodgy about my application. Excellent credit history and for God's sake - it's a simple current account, not a credit card!

brightonman123

i did a switch natwest to santander (with cashback!), still have both open.. using old one as feed in for paying bills. rest of ££ in new account is MINE!

mardiemare2008

I have two natwest account Current accounts and one with RBS too.

ColdIron

Why not just open it online and dodge the whole bank manager malarky?

inca996

I did open it online, but it requires proof of address and ID, which need to be provided to a local branch. True - I could use water bill for proof of address instead of bank statement. In that case they would not know about this account at all.

BTW, they said 'applying again will be a fraud'. How about that?

jonesMUFCforever

inca996 wrote: »

I did open it online, but it requires proof of address and ID, which need to be provided to a local branch. True - I could use water bill for proof of address instead of bank statement. In that case they would not know about this account at all.

BTW, they said 'applying again will be a fraud'. How about that?

Start a formal complaint. This will get to the bottom of it if staff are not doing what they should or are making it up on the hoof.

gezza2k

I have 2 Halifax, 2 Lloyds, 1 Santander, 1 NatWest (don't use), 2 Nationwide, 1 Barclays (don't use) and never had any problems.

Open a first direct account if you just want a decent saving account.

xylophone

Open a first direct account if you just want a decent saving account.

Of course FD is owned by HSBC...;)
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/63196437#Comment_63196437 post 9

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4767441 post 26

http://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/banking/current-account

Gromitt

I remember trying to open a HSBC account for their 5% current account and was told that they expected me to have a "full banking relationship with HSBC". I said that I would use the products from whichever bank offered the best at the time and not tie myself to a single bank. After the usual sales and marketing speak (including daft things like keeping all your money in the same bank makes things easier), they asked me if I wanted to cancel the application. I agreed.

Never tried them again since. I have opened a further 6 other current accounts with other banks however, and closed none.

Lith

Boll0cks to them..

look at my sig.... i bank with HSBC and many other banks and when i opened a HSBC account i showed them my LTSB statement for proof of address....

and i plan to open a TSB bank soon

starM

Afew years ago my sister applied for HSBC Account over the telephone. It was all accepted + overdraft & Credit card and was asked to go to the branch with id.

She went to the branch, I was with her at that time. Their was no problem with id. Lloyds TSB had regular credits coming in + had overdraft facility on it which was never used.

She was told by the branch staff that she will need to close the LTSB account and they need confirmation of it and even if that has been done he will only open a Basic account because she was on income support. She cannot work because of child disability.

The man did not listen and block the application.

The next day she went into another branch. They input application refs and she was told application has been blocked by another branch. My sister told her the reasons behined it. She checked all guidance available to HSBC staff and also checked with manager. Their was nothing in their which says previous account needs to be closed or she cannot have full account if she is on benefits.

Unfortunately she cannot proceed with the same application because of block on it but she copied all the details onto new application and it was accepted again with the same facilities.

The account was open and its still open.

MS