Can't Open Nationwide Basic Account?

rokitt

I have recently agreed a token payment on a loan account with my current bank RBS however in order for that to be confirmed they said they will make my accounts "non-operational" and told me that I should arrange other banking facilities. They also asked for the return of my debit card.

That's fine but of course I now need to open an account with another provider.

I looked at Nationwide as they seem to have a pretty good rep but when applying for their basic account online it asks if you have another UK account. If I answer yes it won't let me progress and says I am not eligible for a basic account and need to apply for a normal account...which of course I won't get because of my poor credit rating...it's as low as you can get right now!

The only way I can apply is to answer no but would that be lying? RBS are effectively closing my accounts but they are still active at the moment.

What to do? Should I wait until RBS have officially closed or made my accounts "non-operational"? They didn't give a date by the way, just asked me to return my debit card.

All help appreciated.

stehouk

I have applied for a flex direct account with nationwide and they are hopeless been on phone and in local branch and still waiting for them to open the account, only opening for the benefits, anyway enough of my problems, i used coop cashminder account was easy to open and use, i also have a 123 lite and a basic account with santander neither asked about other accounts i had, only problem with santander basic account is that you have to top up the debit card with money from the account before you can use it as a debit card, also if you search the main site there is a link to the best basic current accounts, hope this helps

rokitt

Thanks for that info. So that was the normal account you applied for, not the FlexBasic account?

This is the thing, I don't want to apply for their normal account because I simply won't get it. Their FlexBasic account would be perfect for my needs. Maybe I should just answer no to that question about other accounts and apply anyway.

18cc

why dont you apply in-branch and explain the position

18cc

...or apply on the phone if you are not near a branch

stehouk

hi
yeah i am applying for the flex direct it is nearly open, just very slow as not doing a switch but i want to use it to switch in a year or so, use the link to basic accounts in the main site it gives all information you need but no mention of the nationwide account you are looking at, i find them pretending to be a bank but still act more like an old building society, but hey it might just be me lol

rokitt

Quick update on this. I went ahead and applied and was accepted.

Turns out I didn't need to be concerned about answering 'no' to the question about whether I had another uk bank account because during the application it asks you to confirm that you either do not have another account OR that your existing bank has informed you that they are closing your account.

Hope that might be useful info for anyone else looking to apply