advice needed - nationwide flexbasic application

jjr1234

Hello there,

Just to give a bit of a background to my situation I have a very poor credit rating mainly due to when I was younger and as a result of this I have many defaults on my credit file from various different companies, although I do NOT have any CCJs (as confirmed by the fact I viewed my credit report)

I previously held 3 current accounts with different banks when I was younger (full current accounts, not basic ones) and eventually they all got closed due to outstanding balances on them so in the end I literally ended up with no bank account so I had to rely on family member's accounts to have my wages paid into etc... this was January 2017 when all my bank accounts were closed around the same time.

So fast forward till now I haven't had a bank account at all for 13 months. This Thursday just gone I applied directly for a nationwide flex basic current account due to the contactless debit card, I filled in the application accurately and at the end I submitted the application and it checked my details and said 'performing credit check' whilst a loading circle was going round and round. Once finished it said 'congratulations you have been accepted' I then received an email saying the same thing but the email also said something along the lines of: 'your flex basic account is nearly open, if we do need more information from you then we will write to you confirming this or if we don't requite more information we will send you a further email' then on the Friday afternoon I received an email from nationwide and the title of it was 'welcome to something a bit special' it went on to say 'welcome to nationwide and thank yu for choosing our society' (something like that) it also displayed my full customer number and also my account number - but only 4 digits of it. The only other thing it included was 'keep an eye on the post' and also clear instructions regarding when my card , pin and full account number and sort code will arrive.

I have probably made this a lot longer than I need to but my main question is that I am new to nationwide (never been with them before) so I am puzzled as to why I haven't had to visit a branch with my I.D and proof of address, all that happened was I received a further email saying that my card and pin and details for my new account are in the post. (I have friends who have also been new first time customers with nationwide but they have had to visit a branch with I.D before their new account is opened) so why did I not have to visit the branch and just received the second email saying my account is open? Does this mean they did my I.D check at the point of application online?

Like I said my credit rating is very bad but I do not have any CCJs + been at the same address all my life + I am also on the electoral role and been with the same employer for over 3 years.

Are my card and pin actually on the way? I just don't want to be surprised with a request for I.D when they have already said my card and pin are on the way.

Thank you

J

jjr1234

Also I want to add that during the course of last week I applied for other basic accounts/normal accounts with other banks but every bank declined me apart from nationwide**&

YorkshireBoy

jjr1234 wrote: »

Also I want to add that during the course of last week I applied for other basic accounts/normal accounts with other banks

Why on earth would you do that? What if it spooks Nationwide and they decide to close your account before you've had chance to use it?

You'll almost certainly be asked at a later date to submit ID in branch.

You could have opened a savings account for your wages. You didn't need to use someone else's current account.

jjr1234

I do understand what you are saying there but last week was the first time in 13 months that I submitted any sort of current account applications. The reason I submitted multiple applications with multiple banks was because I finally wanted a current account of my own and nationwide are the only application that said yes. I am going to stay with nationwide as my only account and I have no interest with any other bank.

I just wondered whether they did my I.D check at the point of application due to the fact I am on the electoral role and have a driving license and other forms of I.D which are able to be verified electronically.

boo_star

jjr1234 wrote: »

I do understand what you are saying there but last week was the first time in 13 months that I submitted any sort of current account applications. The reason I submitted multiple applications with multiple banks was because I finally wanted a current account of my own and nationwide are the only application that said yes. I am going to stay with nationwide as my only account and I have no interest with any other bank.

I just wondered whether they did my I.D check at the point of application due to the fact I am on the electoral role and have a driving license and other forms of I.D which are able to be verified electronically.

They probably verified your identity electronically.

Applying for multiple accounts may be a problem, the T&Cs of most basic accounts (including Nationwide’s) state that you must not have a current account elsewhere.

I’d definitely avoid actually opening any of the other accounts if possible, and close any down that do get opened. They may or may not be particularly on the ball regarding this but it’d be far from ideal to get a letter in 12 months time telling you they’re closing the account because you have facilities elsewhere.

wizzywig27

Are you sure it’s right about this account having to be your only bank account?

I applied for a main bank account (to use as a switcher account), and all they could offer me was a basic account. As they checked me they’d see I have other accounts with other banks.

boo_star

wizzywig27 wrote: »

Are you sure it!!!8217;s right about this account having to be your only bank account?

I applied for a main bank account (to use as a switcher account), and all they could offer me was a basic account. As they checked me they!!!8217;d see I have other accounts with other banks.

Yes.

If you apply they will ask if you have a current account. If you say yes they!!!8217;ll immediately turn you down.

This is with Nationwide.

There was a thread recently about someone with Parkinson!!!8217;s having their basic HSBC account shut down because it wasn!!!8217;t their only acccount.

I!!!8217;d say it!!!8217;s uncommon for banks to allow it, but some do state that they will offer one if you don!!!8217;t meet their criteria for a normal current account but even then, it should be your only account.

Ksmithy88

Hiya,

Did nationwide ever ask you to supply I.d as I've had the same thing happen to me.

Willing2Learn

Most banks can ascertain your ID electronically from Credit Reference Agencies and the Electoral Register. It is not often, these days, that a bank will ask for documentary evidence for ID and proof of address.

PRAISETHESUN

jjr1234 wrote: »

Hello there,
I have probably made this a lot longer than I need to but my main question is that I am new to nationwide (never been with them before) so I am puzzled as to why I haven't had to visit a branch with my I.D and proof of address, all that happened was I received a further email saying that my card and pin and details for my new account are in the post. (I have friends who have also been new first time customers with nationwide but they have had to visit a branch with I.D before their new account is opened) so why did I not have to visit the branch and just received the second email saying my account is open? Does this mean they did my I.D check at the point of application online? J

They will try to verify your ID electronically, as a part of the credit check you authorise them to do during the application process - if they can you won't be asked to visit a branch. When I opened my first account with Nationwide I got all the emails saying welcome aboard, etc. but then got a letter in the post asking me to visit a branch with some ID as they couldn't verify me electronically. Most banks can verify you online these days, which makes it slightly more important to guard your personal info.

boo_star wrote: »

Yes.

If you apply they will ask if you have a current account. If you say yes they!!!8217;ll immediately turn you down.

This is with Nationwide.

There was a thread recently about someone with Parkinson!!!8217;s having their basic HSBC account shut down because it wasn!!!8217;t their only acccount.

I!!!8217;d say it!!!8217;s uncommon for banks to allow it, but some do state that they will offer one if you don!!!8217;t meet their criteria for a normal current account but even then, it should be your only account.

It all comes down to the banks own T&Cs regarding their basic accounts. As a basic account cost the bank money (they cost money in admin fees to set up which they can't recoup through fees and interest on overdrafts) they tend to be a bit stingy in offering them - some even going so far as to do exactly this if you open other accounts.