Open account online without going into branch

spare_one

Hi everyone

Which bank will let me open a current account online without having to go down to the branch to show ID? (I don't need overdraft allowance if that makes any difference).

I know 3 people who opened a Nationwide current account recently. Two did not have to go down to the branch, and one did. I called customer service twice. One guy told me that it depends if your in the voter registry, but that's rubbish because that person who had to go down was also in the voter registry. The next guy told me everyone has to come to a branch for ID, which is obviously also not true.

I spoke to Lloyds and the customer rep told me it depends on my credit rating. That doesn't make too much sense to me - what has confirming your ID got to with your credit rating?

Anyone with any info on this?

agrinnall

I'm not sure that you could guarantee that any bricks and mortar bank would under no circumstances ask you to prove your identity in branch, so perhaps you should be looking for an account with an online-only bank.

PeacefulWaters

It depends.

Who have you already got accounts with? They might be a good starting point.

Depth and quality of CRA data can convince LBG systems that you exist. Being on voters roll and having a series of well maintained agreements at your current address is better than not being on VR and having an ancient search at the address.

retrieverjc

spare_one wrote: »

Hi everyone

Which bank will let me open a current account online without having to go down to the branch to show ID? (I don't need overdraft allowance if that makes any difference).

I know 3 people who opened a Nationwide current account recently. Two did not have to go down to the branch, and one did. I called customer service twice. One guy told me that it depends if your in the voter registry, but that's rubbish because that person who had to go down was also in the voter registry. The next guy told me everyone has to come to a branch for ID, which is obviously also not true.

I spoke to Lloyds and the customer rep told me it depends on my credit rating. That doesn't make too much sense to me - what has confirming your ID got to with your credit rating?

Anyone with any info on this?

It can be for a number of reasons, the most common of which is probably (though I don't have an empirical evidence to support this, it's just my own educated guess) not being on the electoral roll at a current address . It could also be due to having a less than perfect credit FILE - it's important to distinguish this from rating as having to produce ID would more likely point to the electoral registration not being present on a credit file, or there being outdated/insufficient information on the file, rather than missed payments etc.

However, it's worth me saying that in the case of First Direct and HSBC, I had to produce ID by post and in branch respectively due to my online application forms containing the wrong spelling of my middle name due to the customer service rep spelling it incorrectly and this conflicting with data already held on their systems from when I had been a customer as a student - two ls rather than one, before you start doubting my ability to spell my own name

In summary if you have a limited credit history then you just have to be prepared to go into a branch, but it will be worth it as CRAs will then pick up your new account on their files, which should make future applications more straightforward.

I'd recommend using Monzo or Starling, both require ID but you submit via an in-app video, no trips are necessary. Starling is also a member of the CASS. There aren't any other banks I'm aware of who offer this but I'm sure someone else could share more light.

SnowTiger

spare_one wrote: »

Which bank will let me open a current account online without having to go down to the branch to show ID? (I don't need overdraft allowance if that makes any difference).

I know 3 people who opened a Nationwide current account recently. Two did not have to go down to the branch, and one did. I called customer service twice. One guy told me that it depends if your in the voter registry, but that's rubbish because that person who had to go down was also in the voter registry. The next guy told me everyone has to come to a branch for ID, which is obviously also not true.

I spoke to Lloyds and the customer rep told me it depends on my credit rating. That doesn't make too much sense to me - what has confirming your ID got to with your credit rating?

Anyone with any info on this?

Most banks will open a current account online and won't request ID. However, if you're not on the electoral register and have a thin credit history you're likely to be asked to provide ID.

It's mostly dependant on whether or not they can identify you electronically with one of the credit reference agencies.

spare_one

I suppose there's no way anyone can know which bank has the most lenient rules for this?

What I'm trying to do is open an account just to switch it to get the switching offers...

SnowTiger

spare_one wrote: »

I suppose there's no way anyone can know which bank has the most lenient rules for this?

What I'm trying to do is open an account just to switch it to get the switching offers...

I think it's extremely unlikely you'll be asked to provide ID if you already have a bank account that you're switching.

spare_one

Actually, the person who told me she had to bring ID for Nationwide was doing exactly that.
I'm not sure how much info banks can get from other banks.

Fan_Of_2018

agrinnall wrote: »

I'm not sure that you could guarantee that any bricks and mortar bank would under no circumstances ask you to prove your identity in branch, so perhaps you should be looking for an account with an online-only bank.

Would an online only bank not require to show ID documents, or would you need to make a skype call or something like that with a rep?

N1ckS

retrieverjc wrote: »

I'd recommend using Monzo or Starling, both require ID but you submit via an in-app photo, no trips are necessary. Starling is also a member of the CASS. There aren't any other banks I'm aware of who offer this but I'm sure someone else could share more light.

Agree with the suggestion of Starling, very easy sign-up process and a member of CASS.

TadleyBaggie

I've opened both Lloyds and Starling current account in the last year, neither required a physical presence to open.