Request for 'marital status' to open an ISA

Ballard

You clearly have two choices:

1. Refuse to answer the question and take your business elsewhere.
2. Answer the question and open the account.

Is it that important that a complete stranger knows whether or not you're married? I personally wouldn't have an issue with it but if it's something that you're unhappy with then it's option one.

As to the question of marketing, I always tick the 'no marketing' box and never get any unsolicited communication from any bank with which I hold an account.

GingerBob will be along shortly to tell you to firebomb the branch.

Over62

I strongly objected to being asked the size of my mortgage when trying to add my husband to my longstanding current account with First Direct. I took my business elsewhere. I cannot see the relevance of so many of the questions except for marketing purposes.

Ballard

Over62 wrote: »

I strongly objected to being asked the size of my mortgage when trying to add my husband to my longstanding current account with First Direct. I took my business elsewhere. I cannot see the relevance of so many of the questions except for marketing purposes.

Doesn't it make sense for the bank to know what debt you have in case you ask to borrow money from them in the future?

Other than that I believe that it'll be on your credit reports anyway so it's not as if they can't find out.

kidmugsy

I tend just to invent any-old-answer to this sort of malarkey. I look forward keenly to being asked about my "gender". Will there be a box for feeling sexually attracted to fish? Goats?

gingercordial

Maid_of_Kent wrote: »

I applied to open a Sainsbury's ISA. The form asks me for my 'marital status'. I can't see why that's relevant to open a savings account.

I emailed them and they referred me to their 'Privacy Policy'. I read this through, but I still can't see why they need information about marital status to open a savings account. I have emailed back asking which bit of the Privacy Policy refers to my marital status and await their reply with interest.

I can sort-of see the logic in seeking information about your current relationship if you are seeking credit (though even that's frequently a bit tenuous).

FWIW, I have been divorced for over 40 years. What on earth relevance that might be to an application for a savings account I do not know.

Is it just me? I find these sort questions unnecessary and intrusive.

I'm not keen either. That question in particular, especially as I'm not sure whether the answer they would consider correct is "divorced" or "cohabiting" (with a new partner). Both are true, but I get concerned they might cross-check and see a discrepancy if I'm inconsistent. Needless paranoia I'm sure, but I don't like it.

However I put up with it if I want the product. Can't make them open an account for me otherwise unfortunately.

MadMat

Ballard wrote: »

Doesn't it make sense for the bank to know what debt you have in case you ask to borrow money from them in the future?

No they can ask me about that if and when I actually ask them to lend me some money. At that point it becomes relevant

Mat

HappyMJ

Surely you can get more than 1.3% in interest elsewhere instead of having a Sainsburys Cash ISA.

I personally get no less than 3% on all the money I have and wouldn't ever consider this as worth it.

Ballard

MadMat wrote: »

No they can ask me about that if and when I actually ask them to lend me some money. At that point it becomes relevant

Mat

So you have a zero overdraft limit and no way of going overdrawn?

Atreyu107

MadMat wrote: »

IMHO half the questions on most application forms are more about profiling you for further marketing than the product you are actually applying for.

Mat

Well, you're wrong.

As Dunstohn suggests, it's because the FCA lays down rules and some firms are more onerous in their interpretations than others. If you want to punish them for that, fine, but don't call out the tin-foil hat brigade in the process; it doesn't help anyone.

dunstonh

Over62 wrote: »

I strongly objected to being asked the size of my mortgage when trying to add my husband to my longstanding current account with First Direct. I took my business elsewhere. I cannot see the relevance of so many of the questions except for marketing purposes.

A current account is a credit facility. So, its only logical they ask you about your credit arrangements.