NatWest Current Account and Bank statement eyesdropping

Portuguese_bloke

NOTE: after a few interactions below, I believe my report may be an exception and not a rule.

I wanted to share with you my adventure with NatWest.
I want to open a second current account (to make it a "switcher" for bonus), and NatWest seamed to have a very straightforward online apply process, so I gave it a go.

Cutting the story short, I applied online, all approved. Went to branch to provide proofs (identify / address), all good, but apparently I'll need to meet with the Custumer Assistance lady. I am informed they need my last 3 month Bank Statement on my main account at this point, I am :mad: already, but played along, and booked meeting with the lady.

So, I am applying for a current account with NO overdraft at all, I decided to bring them my payslip to prove I do have a source of income (a quite nice one...) and... just to find that is not enough, they really need to know where I spent my money, day by day, place by place, for the last 3 months.

I asked why. Answer: we need to make sure you can handle a second current account. How nice of them

Perhaps most people are not very "privacy" conscious, or just don't care, but I do. I work with people's data for a living, and I have done so in Banks too as part of my job, so I am very conscious of what I do with my data, even more with such a sensitive data as "your full expenditure life for 3 months with amount and store details".

I cancelled the request for the account, I made a formal complaint online, and wanted to make you all aware of this unjustifiable way of doing Banking business. If Llyoids and HSBC open current accounts without needing my life in a paper, and if I can get a credit card with Halifax without giving them my last 3 month work of life...

I smell a rat Mr. NatWest! What are you not telling us?

Cheers,
PTBloke

Archi_Bald

Don't take this the wrong way, but perhaps the fact that you had to appear in Branch has to do with data about you that could be found, or not found, electronically. Invariably, people who apply online can be verified online and do not have to present further information in the bank. But occasionally everyone might get caught by random extra checks. No rats to smell at all.

solentsusie

Have you thought that the more information that they have on you the more opportunity that it gives them to sell you additional products?

Were you not given the option of giving your ID online? I did this with no problems and no need for proof of income or numerous bank statements etc.

Portuguese_bloke

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Don't take this the wrong way, but perhaps the fact that you had to appear in Branch has to do with data about you that could be found, or not found, electronically
(...)
No rats to smell at all.

That was not my point actually. The relevant fact (and the rat) here is the mandatory requirement to provide a 3 month statement to open a current account with no overdraft associated. Even payslip won't suffice.

Regarding my credit history, it is very good (as per Experian), never had any debts or any types of incidents ever, no credit cards, >2 years of good banking history, and just had a Clarity Credit card with 1500£ limit approved today. So, in my opinion, I think I should be ok to have a current account with no overdraft at all

Cheers,
PTBloke

Portuguese_bloke

solentsusie wrote: »

Have you thought that the more information that they have on you the more opportunity that it gives them to sell you additional products?

Highly probable it was, but I find that quite intrusive... even more when they make it a mandatory thing. Perhaps I am overreacting, but I am that guy that ALWAYS puts the cross on "do not share my data with anyone", "don't contact me", etc.

solentsusie wrote: »

Were you not given the option of giving your ID online? I did this with no problems and no need for proof of income or numerous bank statements etc.

I did actually, and I did provide my passport ref code as requested online, but my passport is Portuguese not British. I assume that was the reason why I had to go into branch (no auto-validation of passport for foreign passports).

But at least that proves that for some people (or perhaps most?), the application is indeed effortless and pain-free....

tizerbelle

I opened a second NatWest current account online on the 8 Jan and then a third on the 2 Feb. All went through online, no problems and I didn't need to prove id/address/salary or anything.

Portuguese_bloke

I guess that makes me the exception :huh:

hope it's not 'cause I'm a foreigner LOOOL :rotfl:

colsten

Portuguese_bloke wrote: »

hope it's not 'cause I'm a foreigner LOOOL :rotfl:

It might well be. Lots of countries have additional 'foreigner' checks these days because they need to have them. Thank Al Queda, ISIL/ISIS, the Tea Party, Charlie Hebdo, Vladimir Putin, UKIP and all drug dealers for making the world an easier place to live in.

sinizterguy

As a counterpoint, I booked an appointment to go in-branch to open a second current account.

About 10 minutes of their time, and they gave me my new account details and asked if I would like to about credit cards or mortgages (which I declined) and I was on my way.

Within a couple of days, new debit card and PIN turned up.

A very easy, painless and efficient process.

Portuguese_bloke

Until now, everything points to my case being an exception. For that reason, I edited the original post to note that fact.