The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

zouzouni

This story is just for your info if anyone intends to open the above account.
I completed my application online and as requested in a letter from them 10 days later, I copied the relevant ID and went to my nearest branch to get it authenticated - I then had to post it to them. However, around 10 days later I received an email saying my application had been rejected and I would receive a letter explaining why. I was a bit surprised (and concerned) to receive a rejection, but the letter arrived the next day, explaining that I had made an error on the online application (a very small one) and if I wanted to proceed I should reapply.
To be honest, I felt for such a small error it was a lot of effort to go to so I phoned the Helpline number. However, as I didn't have an account number it was quite difficult to get through to an operator as there was no option for this. It was only by staying on the line, that I was eventually connected to security and then transferred to the savings dept. Then I had to go through the application procedure again until finally I was told, yes I would after all have to provide further ID. At this point I decided not to bother - it just seemed too hard and I wasn't even their customer yet. Their defense is that it is not them, but the money laundering rules that make the task so laborious, but I wonder why they couldn't have checked my application first and then asked me to send ID. Plus I objected to the tone of the email that rejected my application - it could have been worded in a less worrying tone.
So the moral of the story is, if you apply online, check your application thoroughly. Actually, mine was not a typo, but a misunderstanding of the information required. Next time I will apply by phone or in branch.

ahai1

Alliance and Leicester like Citibank require certified copies and frankly I am fed up with certified copies. Most banks are happy to accept my DLA letter and bank statement and return them after verifying them but some of those banks and other financial providers have got carried away with money laundering laws. It is about time the FSA told them to be reasonable. Citibank only has branches in certain parts of London and they expect people to cerify documents.

zouzouni

Yes, it was a pain to have to go through all of that. Thankfully, there was a branch nearby, but had there not been I would have had to get a professional to sign them. Pretty unrealistic for most people I would have thought. Most of all though, I think they could have made the application process less arduous and more accessible. I had no way of checking the progress of my application as there were no contact numbers given throughout. Had my ID documents got lost in the post, I would have been none the wiser.

ahai1

I would have forgotten about them like I did as I don't see why I should pay someone due to the unreasonabld demands of the bank. The point is they don't return originals which is also a pain.

When I was on the phone to Citibank they wanted to make sure that I sent in the documents. Maybe they have realised that a lot of people are not bothing as we have a get out clause which means that we don't have to complete the process and actually open an account.

There are some very reasonable banks and other financial organisations which are very flexible and accept a wide range of documents and return them in the post.

It is a pain and it is one of the reasons why I have not gone forward and fully opened a few accounts as I don't want to spend money getting certified.

zouzouni

Yes, I completely agree with you. I'll not be bothering to follow up with this application. I'm going to send them some feedback though. Maybe they'll change things in the future ....

ahai1

Sorry are you talking about A+L. The best thing to do is vote with your feet.

zouzouni

Yep, I was talking about A&L. I'm voting with my feet and going to another Bank, but I've also written them a letter telling them why I didn't use them. If I don't tell them they lost a potential customer, how else will they know that they need to improve their act. Well, they may just file my letter away in the archives, but it's worth a try!

ahai1

Good on you. Let us hope that someone at Santandar reads this forum.

I was trying to open an account with Abbey even though I am a customer it asked me to submit a whole 5 page form of information which I have already given them. I could not be bothered.

ahai1

I had an interesting few days. I have managed to open a account with United Bank http://www.unbankltd.com and the good thing is I can do the whole thing by BACS. I went to AK Bank but the security guard said it was not a proper branch or something like that so I can't open an account http://www.akbank.co.uk I tried to open a 7 day notice account with Anglo Irish. It went well as they returned the stuff asking for ID which I was able to supply to them but then they lost the cheque and I decided to take it to their branch along with the application which is a pain in the neck http://www.angloirishbank.co.uk they called me and I missed the call but now I have to wait for Monday as they are only open 8AM-6PM.

stphnstevey

ahai1 wrote: »

I had an interesting few days. I have managed to open a account with United Bank http://www.unbankltd.com and the good thing is I can do the whole thing by BACS. I went to AK Bank but the security guard said it was not a proper branch or something like that so I can't open an account http://www.akbank.co.uk I tried to open a 7 day notice account with Anglo Irish. It went well as they returned the stuff asking for ID which I was able to supply to them but then they lost the cheque and I decided to take it to their branch along with the application which is a pain in the neck http://www.angloirishbank.co.uk they called me and I missed the call but now I have to wait for Monday as they are only open 8AM-6PM.

ahai1 - Are your 1168 posts just in this thread?