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Metro Bank -now accepting online applications
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This is forum gold.0
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I was rejected by HSBC for a current account without reason. I am a property owner and am (almost) a higher rate taxpayer. They didn't search any of the CRAs. Maybe they are discriminating against twenty-somethings?0
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My bold. That number may or may not change based on your application and other factors.
Exactly. Now we're making progress.
Now let's look at Metro Bank's criteria for eligibility:
You can apply for our Current Account if:
You’re aged 18 or over
You’re a UK resident
You’ll have proof of your identity and address. If you’re a non-UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national, you’ll need a valid visa/residence permit. Here’s a list of what you need
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/
And now Metro Bank's ID requirements:
Proof of identity:
A valid passport / EU national ID card or UK driving licence is ideal. In most cases this will be all we need.
Hide list of acceptable proofs of identity
Photographic identity
Valid UK/EEA/Swiss Passport
Valid UK Full Photocard Driving Licence
Valid UK Provisional Photocard Driving Licence
Valid EU member state National ID Photocard
Valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence (not accepted for online applications)
Valid Passport/EU national ID Card means in date, undamaged and machine readable. Unfortunately, we can’t accept handwritten passports or ID cards. We can only accept original documents, not photocopies.
I pass their criteria with flying colours and I uploaded photographic ID including my current and valid Passport and yet I was rejected. So therefore there must be criteria which either doesn't actually exist or does exist but is not published and is kept private!0 -
Exactly. Now we're making progress.
Now let's look at Metro Bank's criteria for eligibility:
You can apply for our Current Account if:
You!!!8217;re aged 18 or over
You!!!8217;re a UK resident
You!!!8217;ll have proof of your identity and address. If you!!!8217;re a non-UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national, you!!!8217;ll need a valid visa/residence permit. Here!!!8217;s a list of what you need
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/
And now Metro Bank's ID requirements:
Proof of identity:
A valid passport / EU national ID card or UK driving licence is ideal. In most cases this will be all we need.
Hide list of acceptable proofs of identity
Photographic identity
Valid UK/EEA/Swiss Passport
Valid UK Full Photocard Driving Licence
Valid UK Provisional Photocard Driving Licence
Valid EU member state National ID Photocard
Valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence (not accepted for online applications)
Valid Passport/EU national ID Card means in date, undamaged and machine readable. Unfortunately, we can!!!8217;t accept handwritten passports or ID cards. We can only accept original documents, not photocopies.
I pass their criteria with flying colours and I uploaded photographic ID including my current and valid Passport and yet I was rejected. So therefore there must be criteria which either doesn't actually exist or does exist but is not published and is kept private!
The key word that you keep missing in that is, "apply". You may meet all of the conditions to apply, but you won't necessarily meet all of the conditions to be given an account. Nowhere in what you have quoted does it say that if you meet all of these conditions you will be given an account. That remains at their discretion.
We've been through this with you several times now. There are other things that will be considered when you submit your application, but these are based on a holistic assessment of your application, using an algorithm. Based upon all the information you provided they chose not to offer you an account. That is their choice and they have not broken any rules of their own, any laws, nor any moral standards (as recognised by the society in which they operate). They made a business decision and you were discriminated against, but not illegally.
They have done nothing wrong and your complaint is vexatious.0 -
ValiantSon wrote: »The key word that you keep missing in that is, "apply". You may meet all of the conditions to apply, but you won't necessarily meet all of the conditions to be given an account. Nowhere in what you have quoted does it say that if you meet all of these conditions you will be given an account. That remains at their discretion.
We've been through this with you several times now. There are other things that will be considered when you submit your application, but these are based on a holistic assessment of your application, using an algorithm. Based upon all the information you provided they chose not to offer you an account. That is their choice and they have not broken any rules of their own, any laws, nor any moral standards (as recognised by the society in which they operate). They made a business decision and you were discriminated against, but not illegally.
They have done nothing wrong and your complaint is vexatious.
In fact age is one of the protected characteristics under the terms of the Equality Act 2010 but relates to employment in which case it is illegal. Go ahead, look it up ROFL. Perhaps in the light of metro Banks action it should be extended to personal finance.0 -
In fact age is one of the protected characteristics under the terms of the Equality Act 2010 but relates to employment in which case it is illegal. Go ahead, look it up ROFL. Perhaps in the light of metro Banks action it should be extended to personal finance.
Where did I say that you had been, or even could have been, rejected because of your age?
You are presenting a straw man argument now.
I know what the Equality Act says, I don't need to look it up.
You were rejected because they didn't like you. It was nothing personal; it was a business decision. Move on.0 -
ValiantSon wrote: »Where did I say that you had been, or even could have been, rejected because of your age?
You are presenting a straw man argument now.
I know what the Equality Act says, I don't need to look it up.
You were rejected because they didn't like you. It was nothing personal; it was a business decision. Move on.
Let's go deeper. Consider this:
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/i-want-some-information-about/what-i-need-to-open-a-personal-account/People in care homes or sheltered accommodation: A personal letter from the manager of your care home or from the warden of your sheltered accommodation (addressed to Metro Bank, One Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA).
Now I lived in rented sheltered housing for nearly 3 years due to health problems where I needed an alarm system for emergency help so I actually know what I'm talking about: The majority of rented sheltered housing are secure non-shorthold tenancies. The "Warden" these days is called the "Manager" and are certainly not authorised to authorise nor supervise the bank accounts of tenants. If they wanted to do that they would need the permission of the family or in the absence of a family a court order. The Manager of rented sheltered housing cannot even enter the property without the permission of the tenant or their authorised agent or carer.
Not only that but those who qualify for social housing who are over a certain age must be housed in sheltered housing. Where I live that age is 50 years and that gives rise to some tenants of sheltered housing in full-time employment and able-bodied!
And there is more: Some sheltered housing is not rented but owned and that is quite acceptable security for loans. But perhaps not acceptable to Metro Bank.
So Metro Bank apart from being totally and completely clueless yet again discriminates: Now they discriminate against people who live in a a certain type of housing and related to that may be discriminating against disabled people and people suffering from long-term illnesses.
One wonders where all this discrimination ends! If it ever does end. There is that mysterious unwritten "criteria" to consider!
Lastly in this post, it is quite easy to speculate on Metro Bank's customer profile resulting in a quite accurate and reasonable result when the evidence is known: Their customer profile is someone of working age who is in full employment, possibly have a mortgage and is ripe for upselling and cross-selling. In short Millennials.0 -
Let's go deeper. Consider this:
https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/i-want-some-information-about/what-i-need-to-open-a-personal-account/
And? What is your point?Now I lived in rented sheltered housing for nearly 3 years due to health problems where I needed an alarm system for emergency help so I actually know what I'm talking about: The majority of rented sheltered housing are secure non-shorthold tenancies. The "Warden" these days is called the "Manager" and are certainly not authorised to authorise nor supervise the bank accounts of tenants. If they wanted to do that they would need the permission of the family or in the absence of a family a court order. The Manager of rented sheltered housing cannot even enter the property without the permission of the tenant or their authorised agent or carer.
The reason they want the letter is to confirm residency status. It is intended as an alternative to other documents that someone in sheltered housing may not have. Try reading the whole page!Not only that but those who qualify for social housing who are over a certain age must be housed in sheltered housing. Where I live that age is 50 years and that gives rise to some tenants of sheltered housing in full-time employment and able-bodied!
And there is more: Some sheltered housing is not rented but owned and that is quite acceptable security for loans. But perhaps not acceptable to Metro Bank.
What are you on about? The link you posted refers to what you need to bring with you to a branch if you wish to apply for a current account. The page you linked to has nothing to do with applying for a loan, and nor does it say anywhere that people in sheltered housing can't apply for products. Indeed, they actually go out of their way to explain alternative documents that can be brought, which is quite good of them really, because most banks don't make this clear!
There is then a section about what is needed when applying for loans, but that is separate from the details about documents needed to open a current account.So Metro Bank apart from being totally and completely clueless yet again discriminates: Now they discriminate against people who live in a a certain type of housing and related to that may be discriminating against disabled people and people suffering from long-term illnesses.
No they don't! :wall: You are talking out of your fundament. Read the page properly.One wonders where all this discrimination ends! If it ever does end. There is that mysterious unwritten "criteria" to consider!
There is discrimination, but it is legitimate and not on the grounds that you keep harping on about. The discrimination is a business decision as to whether someone is an attractive customer or not. Stop talking rubbish.Lastly in this post, it is quite easy to speculate on Metro Bank's customer profile resulting in a quite accurate and reasonable result when the evidence is known: Their customer profile is someone of working age who is in full employment, possibly have a mortgage and is ripe for upselling and cross-selling. In short Millennials.
Whatever.
I'd actually be quite surprised if the bulk of Metro Bank's customers were millennials. Their USP is around branch based customer service, so the target market is essentially those who value branch based banking. Millennials are much more likely to favour banks that are heavily app based, and are not likely to make that much use of branches. I suspect that the bulk of Metro Bank's customers are middle aged and older.
Yes, they do want customers who are a good prospect for selling new products to, as does every bank. This is how business operates.
Your moaning and whining is silly. You have not been unfairly discriminated against, and your desperate attempts to show what an evil organisation Metro Bank is are both pathetic and ill-informed. Once more, just so we're clear: they didn't offer you an account because they didn't like the look of you as a potential customer, due to a holistic view of your application. They have done nothing wrong and your complaint is both ludicrous and vexatious. Despite your age, grow up and move on.0 -
Oh dear now your posts are coming across as a personal attack rather than a discussion of the topic.ValiantSon wrote: »The reason they want the letter is to confirm residency status. It is intended as an alternative to other documents that someone in sheltered housing may not have. Try reading the whole page!
But the manager of a sheltered housing scheme, estate or whatever are not authorised by their employers to do that and therefore would not do that. Good grief, I couldn't even get the manager to sign my passport form. The manager of a sheltered housing scheme or estate is there to look after the scheme or estate and not the residents who are primarily active and able to look after themselves. Care of the residents when needed is done by care workers or their own family and it is they or the representative of the owner of the sheltered housing scheme or estate who would confirm residency in a letter.
Let's take a look at my actions when I moved from the sheltered housing scheme. Well, I informed water and energy companies and telephone and broadband provider of my new address, changed my address in the electoral register and then moved. There is no difference between anyone living in sheltered accommodation and anyone living in a regular property in terms of the ability to prove residency.
Unfortunately you have the same clueless ideas about sheltered accommodation that Metro Bank has. I estimate probably quite accurately that throughout the history of Metro Bank not a single resident of sheltered housing has gained a current account with Metro Bank.
Your assertion that a personal letter from the manager of the sheltered housing required by Metro Bank is to confirm residency is speculation. Metro Bank don't give a reason.
Metro Bank require different credentials from residents of sheltered housing than they require from residents of regular housing. Therefore Metro Bank is discriminating against residents of sheltered housing.
Lastly, why sheltered accommodation should be equated with care homes is beyond my understanding. They are as different as chalk and cheese and that is the reason why Metro Bank is clueless!0 -
Oh dear now your posts are coming across as a personal attack rather than a discussion of the topic.
We've discussed the topic and you won't accept anything that doesn't fit with your narrow-minded and ill-informed view. If what I say comes across as a personal attack that is because I am frustrated at dealing with such pig-headedness.
I make no apology. You are behaving like a spoilt child.But the manager of a sheltered housing scheme, estate or whatever are not authorised by their employers to do that and therefore would not do that.
There would be nothing stopping them from seeking authorisation to do so. This still misses the point that Metro Bank are offering this as an alternative way of providing the required documents. It is not Metro Bank's fault if the owners of the sheltered housing won't provide this letter.
You also fail to appreciate that your experience is not necessarily the same as everyone else's. The manager of your sheltered housing may not have done that, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't and wouldn't be done elsewhere.Good grief, I couldn't even get the manager to sign my passport form.
There will be nothing in the terms of their contract stopping them from signing a passport form. The form is signed as an individual, not as a representative of a company. Maybe they couldn't be bothered. Having signed several forms myself, I know that it is not always straight forward and the Passport Agency can be quite difficult about things. This deters people from taking on the task because most are doing it as a favour and for no recompense.The manager of a sheltered housing scheme or estate is there to look after the scheme or estate and not the residents who are primarily active and able to look after themselves. Care of the residents when needed is done by care workers or their own family and it is they or the representative of the owner of the sheltered housing scheme or estate who would confirm residency in a letter.
Are you trying to tell me that a manager of a sheltered housing scheme isn't a representative of the owner? That's just nonsense.Let's take a look at my actions when I moved from the sheltered housing scheme.
Must we? _pale_Well, I informed water and energy companies and telephone and broadband provider of my new address, changed my address in the electoral register and then moved. There is no difference between anyone living in sheltered accommodation and anyone living in a regular property in terms of the ability to prove residency.
Nobody said that there was a difference! Metro Bank are simply providing people who do live in sheltered housing with an alternative form of document that they can use not one that they must use.Unfortunately you have the same clueless ideas about sheltered accommodation that Metro Bank has.
You know absolutely jack about my experiences and knowledge.
Neither Metro Bank, nor I, are displaying ignorance. Metro Bank are providing an alternative that may be helpful to some customers. They do not require it, but are trying to make accommodation for people who might not be able to provide other documents. They are being helpful.I estimate probably quite accurately that throughout the history of Metro Bank not a single resident of sheltered housing has gained a current account with Metro Bank.
You have absolutely no evidence for that statement (rather like a lot of what you write).Your assertion that a personal letter from the manager of the sheltered housing required by Metro Bank is to confirm residency is speculation. Metro Bank don't give a reason.
Hello pot!
If you'd care to actually properly read the page that you linked to, you would see that the reference to a letter from the manager of a sheltered housing scheme is offered as an alternative to other documents pertaining to residency. I have not speculated, I have read their information and understood what they are talking about. Look again.
Jeez, this is hard work!Metro Bank require different credentials from residents of sheltered housing than they require from residents of regular housing. Therefore Metro Bank is discriminating against residents of sheltered housing.
No they don't! If a resident of sheltered accommodation can provide two documents from the main list then they do not need the letter. The letter is an alternative.
This really is very simple.Lastly, why sheltered accommodation should be equated with care homes is beyond my understanding. They are as different as chalk and cheese and that is the reason why Metro Bank is clueless!
You are talking rubbish. They are providing an alternative.
METRO BANK HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. They do not discriminate against people who live in sheltered housing, nor do they discriminate against people who are retired. They do - entirely legally - discriminate against anyone (irrespective of age or residency status) who does not look like an attractive customer. That is just good business sense.
I bet they are really sorry that they don't have such a vexatious individual as a customer. Grow up!
If I say that Metro Bank are evil and should be wiped off the face of the Earth, will you stop with your childish whining?0
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