Current Accounts - picky banks

Don80

Hi

I've seen on several threads comments about which banks and building societies are "easier" to open accounts with (in terms of eligibility, not form filling!). For example, HSBC and FD more fussy than, say, Barclays. I wondered if anyone had a list!

I'm thinking about Nationwide for a refer a friend bonus, are they "easy" to open an account with? Any others?

Thanks

DCFC79

I found Halifax, Barclays, TSB, Lloyds and Tesco were really easy to open, all done online.

JuicyJesus

Any list will be very rough as nobody really knows their internal credit scoring rules etc (and realistically anyone who did know wouldn't post about it on MSE as it's confidential, "if you share this we will cut your balls off" commercially sensitive information).

So this will be a very rough guess for pretty much anyone. The only thing I could really add is that yes, HSBC (and in particular FD) appear to be far more choosy/risk-averse than most other banks.

EachPenny

JuicyJesus wrote: »

So this will be a very rough guess for pretty much anyone. The only thing I could really add is that yes, HSBC (and in particular FD) appear to be far more choosy/risk-averse than most other banks.

Likewise.

I might add that Barclays and Nationwide anecdotally seem especially easy to open new accounts with. That possibly has more to do with their business strategies than individual customer attractiveness, but who really knows.

binaryuniverse

I've opened some 11 accounts (I think) over the last year.

Only ones I had a problem with were Metro and First Direct. Metro due to an old default. Once that dropped off (just a months late, I should add), no problem. Looks to be the same with First Direct.
I can understand Metro being risk averse. But HSBC have very deep pockets.
Should also note that pretty much all the other accounts were opened with defaults on my file.

JuicyJesus

binaryuniverse wrote: »

I can understand Metro being risk averse. But HSBC have very deep pockets.

HSBC have been historically extremely risk averse, which is part of why they have such deep pockets.

[Deleted User]

Don80 wrote: »

For example, HSBC and FD more fussy than, say, Barclays.

It would appear that Barclays are difficult to close. I still get sent revised terms and conditions for my account years and years after I closed it.

Cisco001

I was refused by tesco last year. No idea why.

I never been refused with any other bank previously (HSBC, M&S, TSB, Halifax, Lloyds, BoS, Santander, Nationwide, Natwest, Co-op.)

Anthorn

Don80 wrote: »

Hi

I've seen on several threads comments about which banks and building societies are "easier" to open accounts with (in terms of eligibility, not form filling!). For example, HSBC and FD more fussy than, say, Barclays. I wondered if anyone had a list!

I'm thinking about Nationwide for a refer a friend bonus, are they "easy" to open an account with? Any others?

Thanks

I differ: I've always found Barclays Bank to be picky almost as much as the about as picky as it gets FD. On the other hand I've always found HSBC to be very accommodating. Overall any bank connected to RBS by reason of being in the group or through a partnership I've found to be picky and that includes Natwest and Tesco Bank.

It basically comes down to how desperate for accounts a bank is. Consequently TSB was dead easy but these days gets into the picky stakes. Overall, these days you'll get a very good deal from Starling Bank. Jump in while you can.

To answer the question I've found that Nationwide is about as easy as it gets to open an account but maybe that's just me.

bigadaj

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Any list will be very rough as nobody really knows their internal credit scoring rules etc (and realistically anyone who did know wouldn't post about it on MSE as it's confidential, "if you share this we will cut your balls off" commercially sensitive information).

So this will be a very rough guess for pretty much anyone. The only thing I could really add is that yes, HSBC (and in particular FD) appear to be far more choosy/risk-averse than most other banks.

I'm not sure removal of testicles is a valid punishment these days, even for a bank.

Presumably someone with that privileged information would be an employee so dismissal would be the harshest likely punishment.

JuicyJesus

bigadaj wrote: »

I'm not sure removal of testicles is a valid punishment these days, even for a bank.

If they could I can guarantee you they would. Then they'd tell you it was for your own good and you should be pleased because now you can wear smaller keks. That's what working for a bank is like.