Opening Current Account

caveman38

My wife is opening an account with FD and I have to state "Not Switching" for the bonus. After 3 days since on line registration has received email asking her to furnish proof of person and address ie passport and bank statement or similar. You know the drill.
The thing is they also want these documents countersigned by
A Solicitor, Lawyer, Licenced Conveyancer, Barrister, Commissioner For Oaths, Chartered Legal Executive, Notary, Chartered Accountant, Member of Parliament, Member of the Judiciary, Independent Financial Advisor, Dentist, Medical Doctor, Nurse, Optician and Pharmacist. Signing has also got to be accompanied by an official stamp ie. not your neighbourhood nurse, but she'd have to get the hospital stamp too.
Is this now the normal routine and all the "switchers" are having to do this too. Or is it that at 61 and without a mortgage or credit file she needs to be checked out. I am told that all new accounts are treated this way.
Is this normal, only at FD or what?

zerog

If that's what they want, then you have to provide it.

You can try an HSBC branch but they may not accept that.

caveman38

zerog wrote: »

If that's what they want, then you have to provide it.

You can try an HSBC branch but they may not accept that.

I agree. I'm asking is that now the norm or because of her personal circumstances.


HSBC authentication is not allowed. Countersignature by professional and posting back only.

grumbler

caveman38 wrote: »

Is this now the normal routine and all the "switchers" are having to do this too. ...
Is this normal, only at FD or what?

FD mainly, and not only for new accounts or switchers, but old customers sometimes get other options after lots of arguing.
Trouble getting certified copies of documents
First Direct want proof of identity years after account opened: anyone else affected?
Passport certification for First Direct

darkidoe

This was pretty ridiculous when I was asked to do it about a year ago. Wasted so much effort. Definitely for all new customers I think. If you can't resist the perks of the account (Telebanking, 6%reguler saver, switching bonus) then you just have to go along with it. If not, there are many other accounts out there that will give u similar bonuses for opening an account with them.

grumbler

What's 'telebanking'? Is it really a 'perk'?

Re the bonus, the OP made it clear:

I have to state "Not Switching" for the bonus

Anthorn

caveman38 wrote: »

My wife is opening an account with FD and I have to state "Not Switching" for the bonus. After 3 days since on line registration has received email asking her to furnish proof of person and address ie passport and bank statement or similar. You know the drill.
The thing is they also want these documents countersigned by
A Solicitor, Lawyer, Licenced Conveyancer, Barrister, Commissioner For Oaths, Chartered Legal Executive, Notary, Chartered Accountant, Member of Parliament, Member of the Judiciary, Independent Financial Advisor, Dentist, Medical Doctor, Nurse, Optician and Pharmacist. Signing has also got to be accompanied by an official stamp ie. not your neighbourhood nurse, but she'd have to get the hospital stamp too.
Is this now the normal routine and all the "switchers" are having to do this too. Or is it that at 61 and without a mortgage or credit file she needs to be checked out. I am told that all new accounts are treated this way.
Is this normal, only at FD or what?

I think that is highly unusual even if identity cannot be confirmed by electronic means such as existing credit and electoral roll. But that's First Direct for you. I have tried twice to open a FD account but was refused on each occasion. But then I asked myself, "What's so special about FD?" and never applied again. There are better banks out there who don't want your balls broken.