Nationwide

uther_2

When we went Br at the end of March the next day I went in and opened a Nationwide basic account.My oh has tried today to open one and the account is apparently no longer available to bankrupts.So the rumours appear to be true and the co-op seems your best bet if you need an account.

fermi

Email to me from Nationwide date 20/07/2007

Dear Member,

Thank you for your message.

It is not Nationwide policy to automatically refuse applicants for a basic FlexAccount who have been declared bankrupt. Although applications will be declined if the applicant already holds a current
account with another bank or building society.

Regards,

Internet Services

http://www.nationwide.co.uk
Nationwide. Proud to be different.

If you reply to this message, please include the Tracking Number below in the body (not the subject) of the mail. This will enable us to process your message more efficiently.

Wish they would make up their ****ing mind. :rolleyes::mad:

Rafter

Friend has the same problem. Nationwide apologised for not updating their details on the OFT website but it seems that Co-op (or Barclays) are your only option.

Co-op were lovely though - very quick, online access, Electron card only though.

R.

Broken_hearted

There are still accounts out there just keep trying.

straightandnarrow_2

Just wanted to let you know that I spoke in branch to Nationwide and they told me that they have changed their policies very recently about anyone with BR or IVA and are now a lot stricter on who can get accounts or upgrade. I was asking, as I had all my money stolen in a card cloning at an ATM on Tuesday and wanted to get a temporary overdraft. NO chance! So I am left waiting for them to investigate the problem - at least 10 working days, or in other words 2 weeks with no money! Lucky my OH has a seperate account, but I have now got £300 less this month. BOO HOO! PLease all be careful at ATM's (although I certainly didn't notice anything suspicious). I'm going to put a seperate thread in about this, I'd hate anyone else to have this happen- I was shocked and shaken up.

fermi

The messages coming from Nationwide with respect to bankrupts opening accounts still seems to be a bit mixed. Probably due to individual staff/branches not being clear on their new stance yet.

Hopefully it will become clear over time if and/or when a bankrupt is likely to be successful in applying for a new Basic Flex account.

wherediditallgo

I've queried this situation with Nationwide, & received the following "clear as mud" reply:

"Thank you for your message.

Our savings account are available to all but our FlexAccount would be dependant on credit scoring to a certain extent. You can open a cash card only FlexAccount with us, if you do not have any other current account open after bankruptcy.

Regards,

Internet Services"

It appears from this that BRs can have savings accounts with Nationwide (something some members have had difficulty getting", but as the FlexAccount is subject to credit scoring there's no guarantee that BR applications will be successful. And BRs can only get a cash card only Flex Account if they don't have any other current account open at the time of their application.

So, if you want to have a basic account with Nationwide, you apparently have to be very specific in giving your status & your requirements, by making a statement akin to "I am BR & I would like a cash card only FlexAccount. I do not have any other current accounts with any other establishments". I would be interested to see if such an application was successful. In the meantime, I am going to ask them to provide further clarification, in response to the following specific questions:

• Which current accounts can prospective new clients who are BR apply for?
• Are any of these accounts subject to credit scoring, whether the person declares their BR status or not?
• If someone says they are BR at the time of their application, will Nationwide still do a credit score check, or will that be rendered unnecessary?
• Would the person be required to provide proof of them being BR, such as a copy of the BR order?

uther_2

Well my oh WAS allowed to open a savings account,but not a basic flex account.Don't forget,the application form is called 'Basic Bank Account' and makes it plain that all you will get is a cashcard.There are 'tick' boxes on the form if you want to be considered for 'extra's ' such as checkbooks etc.

fermi

That was similar to my first reply from Nationwide WDIAG, but slightly more helpful.

Reply one:

Thank you for your message.

Every application we receive is carefully considered and undergoes a number of checks before a decision is made.

A process called credit scoring determines the facilities we are able to make available. A wide range of factors are assessed within this system, of which employment and income are important but not
overriding contributors to the final result.

The system we use is based on previous experience and the potential risk associated with it. It is specifically designed to be an objective assessment and is regularly reviewed to ensure we treat all
applicants in a fair and consistent way.

In addition to credit scoring, each application is credit referenced. This process is undertaken by a specialist agency on behalf of the Society.

Regards,

Internet Services

Rather uninformative waffle, which didn't answer my question.

So I tried again:

Reply two:

Thank you for your message.

If the applicant does not currently hold any other current accounts with other banks/building societies their application will be processed as any other.

Regards,

Internet Services

Yes. And perhaps declined as the applicant is bankrupt? Again an ambiguous reply.

Third try: Date 20/07/2007

Dear Member,

Thank you for your message.

It is not Nationwide policy to automatically refuse applicants for a basic FlexAccount who have been declared bankrupt. Although applications will be declined if the applicant already holds a current
account with another bank or building society.

Regards,

Internet Services

Finally seemed to answer the question.

Whether they have moved the goalposts again recently is another matter.

EDIT: There was another email as it took 4, but I can't find it.

EmmaMG

Hi

I opened a flex account with Nationwide about 2 weeks ago, the cashcard has just arrived. I used the online application service. Although it did state on there that couldn't have an account if BR I declared that I was and it let me open an account. As far as I could see they did a basic credit check just to check my address.

I did notice that there is a question on the online application about your salary, do you think that affects the application process at all?

savagevixen

I opened my account with them online at the end of June, it is a Flex account with a cash card.