Opening Barclays basic bank account

KentishLady

Hello all

I posted this on the bank account thread but thought you guys might also have some advice.

I took my BIL into Barclays today to open a basic bank account with them - he has a lot of debt and will probably be going bankrupt once he has saved up the fees.

We made it clear it was a basic bank account / cash card account he wanted - no overdraft, no cheque book, no debit card, just a cash card. The staff member appeared to understand.

BUT after she keyed in all the details the application has been referred so he doesnt know whether or not he will be able to open the account. I queried why and she started talking about bad credit and bancruptcy. She then said the decision had been referred to the credit expert. I again said but these accounts are available to people with bad credit ratings - it says so on your website.

She said - yes but it depends how bad. We accept bancrupts depending on how bad the bankruptcy was, or how much money people owe.

Has anyone else had a cash card account application referred?

thanks KL

PS I am a bit worried she has wrongly submitted his application for a normal bank account instead of the cash card account.

Keeping_Positive

It doesn't sound too good. Ive read anything like that on here. Barclays sere great for me although I opened the account the afternoon of the BR.

Id ask more questions from another staff member. Cooo are another one to trybut this must be pre BR and DONT tell them about the pending BR

TheGardener

Hi - I would wait and see what the answer is, it might be it was just a case of "the computer says..." and that once it has been looked at by a more senior person, the application will be passed. - if the application is rejected, I would immediately ask for the decision to be reviewed. Barclays publish a lot about how they are committed to 'financial inclusion'
In the meantime - have you considered a credit union account? There is probably one near you - just google it - or - as long as you don't mention any potential for BR in the future - the CO-OP also offer a basic account?

tigerfeet2006

It's just a normal part of the process and happens occasionly. It usually takes about a week to sort and is rare to be rejejected and if he is then you appeal and it usually sorts itself.

dojoman

Totally normal, happened to me in 2009.

Grumpy_Shunter

FYI, Barclays were a creditor to the tune of a hefty amount in my BR. I walked in to try my luck at opening a basic cash card account and was accepted there and then. As other have said - I think it's just a formality and your friend will be ok.

macbabypam

I also owed Barclays a sizeable amount that was included in my BR. There was no problems for me opening an account. They couldn't have been more corteous or helpful to be honest. I'm sure things will work out.

skintoz

Hi Kentishlady,

I opened a Barclay's basic account yesterday with no problems.

I didn't realise you get a visa card with this account that you can use in shops etc and even abroad.

They also put me down for internet banking i queried this and they said the bank is currently reviewing this policy and they think they will allow all customers internet banking soon.

The only worry I had was Barclaycard are one of my creditors so i don't want them taking the money and having to claim it back (they couldn't promise anything on this question but doesn't think they will if the OR has been in touch)

Also the day before Santander also opened a basic account for me (I told them i had just been made bankrupt and they were not a creditor) they phoned head office and checked the t&c's seems there is nothing really stopping Undischarged bankrupts openening a basic account but there is some problems if you have CCJ's which sounded strange no if you have CCJ's but hey bankrupt no problem.

Still reckon the Santander account will get refused at head office level but will update this when i know more.

Santander is cash card only can't use it anywhere but a cash machine.

macbabypam

That's very interesting re internet banking at Barclays. Has anyone else heard this ? Opened my account with Barclays in November and they told me I couldn't have it until discharged.

Would be great if they are reviewing this policy.

woodformoretrees

I'd love to think that my Oscar winning incredulity during my account opening appointment has played a part in getting the rules changed

TheGardener

I wrote to the Chair of the Board, Sir David Walker expressing my disappointment with the no internet access rule and about Barclays tactics in trying to exclude those in need of financial rehabilitation and quoted Barclays own Digital Inclusion report which - if the link works - is here. Most of us would be classed as 'No Choicer's' for their research purposes http://group.barclays.com/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheader=application/pdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadervalue1=inline;+filename%3DDownload-the-Inclusive-banking-report-PDF-416KB.pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary;+charset%3DUTF-8&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1330687097531&ssbinary=true

(If the link doesn't work just google Barclays Digital Inclusion Report and it should return this this page)

I did get a 'thanks you for your letter' bog standard acknowledgement but nothing else.
Perhaps he is a MSE fan and has been reading all our posts :rotfl: