Avoiding credit checks when setting up 'donor' accounts

TeddyHaller

I would like to take advantage of the £100 'switch' offer for First Direct, but don't wish to switch my current account.

Elsewhere on the forums, the advice has been to set up a 'donor' account, purely for the purposes of switching, but I think if I do this I will be credit checked twice, once for the original set up and again for the switch. Obviously, I don't want two applications for credit in quick succession on my files if possible.

Does anyone know of a current account I can set up which wouldn't require an initial credit check?

Thanks

YorkshireBoy

TeddyHaller wrote: »

Obviously, I don't want two applications for credit in quick succession on my files if possible.

A current account search doesn't have the same impact as, for example, an application for a credit card or loan. I had some 15-16 current account searches over an 8 week period recently...without any being declined. You're right to be concerned if you're going for a mortgage tomorrow though...are you?

Does anyone know of a current account I can set up which wouldn't require an initial credit check?

Your main account provider may not leave a search footprint if you open another account with them. Yorkshire Bank certainly didn't make a 'hard search' of my file for 6 of the accounts I opened for their recent switching offer in branch.

TeddyHaller

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

A current account search doesn't have the same impact as, for example, an application for a credit card or loan. I had some 15-16 current account searches over an 8 week period recently...without any being declined. You're right to be concerned if you're going for a mortgage tomorrow though...are you?Your main account provider may not leave a search footprint if you open another account with them. Yorkshire Bank certainly didn't make a 'hard search' of my file for 6 of the accounts I opened for their recent switching offer in branch.

No, but I might be looking for a mortgage in maybe 4 years time? Will current account applications from now have disappeared by then?

YorkshireBoy

TeddyHaller wrote: »

No, but I might be looking for a mortgage in maybe 4 years time? Will current account applications from now have disappeared by then?

The application searches stay on file for up to 2 years, but their 'impact' will be minimal within weeks of the application in my opinion and experience.