Closing RBS account

AliceBanned

Hi
Whenever I've closed a bank account before I have done it over the phone. I want to close my RBS current account and it says online it has to be done in a branch with ID and PIN.
Is there any way around this as their branches are not at all convenient for where I live!
Thanks

Sea_Shell

If it's a current account, the easiest way is to switch it elsewhere, maybe for a bonus. It will then get closed as part of the switch.

18cc

agreed - just switch it into another existing (or new) current account

fiat_lux

I closed my RBS account earlier this year by sending a signed letter to my branch. I followed the instructions for "if you live abroad" (even though I don't live abroad). It worked.

supportcentre-rbs.co.uk/Searchable/996981582/How-do-I-close-an-account.htm

I live abroad and want to close my account

If you are unable to close your account in branch, you can choose to provide the closure request in writing - the letter should be sent to the address of your account holding branch. This would need to include:

Your full name
The sortcode and account number of the account in question.
Signed by the account holder(s)
A contact telephone number
A contact postal address

If the account is overdrawn or has charges outstanding on it:
A cheque for the outstanding balance written to yourself

If the account is in credit:
Details of what you want us to do with the money (e.g. send it to another account; write them a cheque for the amount).

penners324

CASS it to a new or current bank current account.

colsten

I agree with the posters who recommend switching, possibly for a bonus. It is now by far the easiest way to close a current account, certainly if it's a sole account.

xylophone

The easiest way is indeed a CASS switch - try for a "switching bonus" if available.

AliceBanned

Thanks everyone I seem to have used up all my switches. I've switched to M&S, Halifax, HSBC, First Direct and possibly more. I might hold onto it in that case but wanted to close due to upcoming mortgage application. I have a Starling account that I don't use as well so maybe it will be easier to close that. I don't want too many unused accounts open but I agree a switching bonus would be a good option if new ones come up!

penners324

Starling lets you CASS another account into it in the app.
Very easy to do.
Why not CASS your RBS account into your Starling account, and any other unused accounts?

colsten

I don't believe open current accounts will work against you, particularly if they haven't got an overdraft facility, or an actual overdraft.

Shame you missed the Santander switch offer but there are still others you haven't listed, like TSB and Nationwide.

colsten

penners324 wrote: »

Starling lets you CASS another account into it in the app.
Very easy to do.
Why not CASS your RBS account into your Starling account, and any other unused accounts?

Starling don't pay a switch bonus. It would be a shame to sacrifice an perfectly good donor account.

You are, of course, correct, technically, the RBS account could be switched to Starling, or the other way round. RBS do have a switch offer at present.