What is a main bank account?

eddddy

RG2015 wrote: »

Agreed, there is no definition. But what if one account has fifty transactions per month and the other has only one. Is it truthful to say the account with only one transaction is the main account?

You're probably over thinking this.

I suspect they just want any bank account details that they can use to check your identity.

And they probably add the word "main" to try to avoid calls to their call centre like:

• "I've get 3 bank accounts, should I put details of all 3?"
• "No - just one"
• "So which one shall I pick?"
• "Ummm- pick whichever one you feel is your main account"

RG2015

eddddy wrote: »

You're probably over thinking this.

I suspect they just want any bank account details that they can use to check your identity.

And they probably add the word "main" to try to avoid calls to their call centre like:

• "I've get 3 bank accounts, should I put details of all 3?"
• "No - just one"
• "So which one shall I pick?"
• "Ummm- pick whichever one you feel is your main account"

Of course I am over thinking it. This is the whole point. The banks are using meaningless language.

Why use the word main if it has no meaning?

agrinnall

RG2015 wrote: »

Why use the word main if it has no meaning?

For the reason edddy has given. Most people will assign their own meaning to "main account", generally either the account that has salary paid into it or the one that is used most frequently (the two may not be the same), and for most of those people that will be an acceptable choice as the account can be used for identity checking. Your situation is a bit out of the ordinary so you either choose your "main account" and expect a delay in getting the card while the issuer seeks other information from you, or you choose an account that can be used for the checks even if it isn't what you would designate your "main account".

RG2015

Thank you agrinnall.

"My situation is a bit out of the ordinary" seems to be the story of my life .

18cc

Here are some valid definitions of main bank account - there are others I am sure:

- the one you've had the longest
- the one you are most emotionally attached to (the one you 'feel' is your main account)
- the one you have your 'main' salary paid into or pension etc)
- the one your household DDs come out of
- the one you use for spending eg debit card transactions
- the one at the bank where you have your mortgage or loan
- the one that has the nicest debit card pattern

RG2015

18cc wrote: »

Here are some valid definitions of main bank account - there are others I am sure:

- the one you've had the longest
- the one you are most emotionally attached to (the one you 'feel' is your main account)
- the one you have your 'main' salary paid into or pension etc)
- the one your household DDs come out of
- the one you use for spending eg debit card transactions
- the one at the bank where you have your mortgage or loan
- the one that has the nicest debit card pattern

Yes, but the only one that matters is that it satisfies the requirement of the bank whose product you are applying for.

Terry_Towelling

RG2015 wrote: »

Hence they could not know if it did comply with whatever (mythical) criteria that they may use.

I don't think they have any criteria (mythical or otherwise) to define a 'main' bank account. They are actually asking what you consider to be your main bank account - it is down to you to use your own criteria. If your choice means they cannot identify you then that is too bad - I have the same issue as you with my main account.

Thrugelmir

RG2015 wrote: »

Yes, but the only one that matters is that it satisfies the requirement of the bank whose product you are applying for.

Held the same main account for over 40 years (where wages/salary has been paid). Never caused me a problem. Bigger issues in life to get flustered about.

18cc

Would you consider that your main account then!

gabanker

For me there is no such thing as one main bank account as I have two and I use them both equally! Really I would use the one I have had for longer though