M&S Current Account - is it that bad?

funkycredit

Seen a few posts here about M&S being awful and slow. I applied Sunday for a bog standard current account. Got a holding / thanks email Monday then today received an email link to sign agreement and then had it confirmed account was open. 

Just received this text. So hoping they've improved service, perversely I've only opened it because I heard it was the hardest to open (I like a challenge - plus have almost 30 hard searches on Experian) and won't use it (It'll be a donor act) but still, so far it's been really easy. Is this the new norm or have I got lucky? Thoughts....

ZeroSum

Haven't got M&S, but it's part of the HSBC group & have heard that they're a bit of a pain to open an account with.
I do have a first direct account (also one of HSBC's subsidiaries) and they were a pain to set up all the online stuff. Having to phone up with a password to create a password which isn't your password but needed to create an electronic password which is your online password. 

colsten

I hope you won't regret having opened it without any switch bonus on offer.

Herbalus

If you like a challenge when opening bank accounts, try giving them your neighbours address next time.

that will give you something to unpick.

funkycredit

colsten said:

I hope you won't regret having opened it without any switch bonus on offer.

True - but can't see hsbc giving many offers in the foreseeable. I'll open a first direct when they're open again if the offers still available. 

Katiehound

M&S was slow to open - for me- but that was a few years ago when there was a juicy switch deal and a very nice RS @ 5%.
The RS is still there but now paying 2.75%- which is better than some.

I too am hoping FirstDirect comes back with a switch deal 'cos they told me I was in fact  eligible. Previously if you had ever had an account it was a no no.

funkycredit

Herbalus said:

If you like a challenge when opening bank accounts, try giving them your neighbours address next time.

that will give you something to unpick.

That makes no sense & would likely end up with N Hunter discrepancies & CIFAS loadings being registered against me. I meant, which I thought was obvious, I like to see how strict different banks are. Like deliberately applying knowing there's loads of recent searches etc.

Fingerbobs

colsten said:

I hope you won't regret having opened it without any switch bonus on offer.

I only opened an M&S current account to gain access to the 5% regular saver, but I graciously accepted the £100 M&S Gift Card anyway. 

funkycredit

Card came today. Called to activate; done security (was really easy) and now all logged in. 

Got to admit, I'm pretty impressed so far. They're on par with other leading banks, speed wise, albeit the having to ring first is a tad weird (could be done online like hsbc)! 

But overall, painless and easy. 

Fingerbobs

Here's the timeline for my M&S Current Account application last year, if it's of any interest:

Friday    01-Nov-19 - Online Application Submitted 09:30 a.m.
Tuesday   05-Nov-19 - Acceptance Confirmation Email Received (18:25 in the evening)
Thursday  07-Nov-19 - Email with Application Form to sign and return received (20:06 in the evening)
                    - Signature captured electronically through "Adobe Sign" and submitted. https://ccouk.eu1.echosign.com/
                    - Confirmation email received.
Monday    11-Nov-19 - Text message received (19:54 in the evening) confirming receipt of signed application form, and telling me my Debit Card and PIN are on the way.
Wednesday 13-Nov-19 - Debit Card received. Phoned to activate, had to also set up security questions and pass number. Also requested Internet Banking on this call.
                    - Told to set CASS switch date to 3 days after any direct debit on old account.
Friday    15-Nov-19 - "Confirming your Details" letter received - no action needed.
Saturday  16-Nov-19 - PIN letter received.
Wed/Thu 20/21-Nov-19 - M&S Pass device received (Not sure which day because I was away on 20th).
Thursday  21-Nov-19 - M&S Pass activated and online banking set up.
                    - CASS form submitted - earliest selectable date = 05-Dec. (Set to 12-Dec to avoid DDs).
                    - CASS confirmation email received.
Thursday  12-Dec-19 - CASS completed (Source account disappeared, balance and DDs showing up in M&S)
Wednesday 18-Dec-19 - Letter received confirming CASS completed.
Thursday  13-Jan-20 - £100 M&S gift card received.

funkycredit

Ouch! That's painful. Mine was so much easier! 

Applied Sunday 9th. Holding email Mon 10th. Tuesday 11th received success email & echosign. Also received "you're all done email". 

Today, Thursday 13th received card. Called number to activate and did that and setup internet banking. Logged on fine / app installed & working fine. 4 days to be up and running with a card. 

I didn't switch (yet) as I'm still in middle of new Halifax offer and will use that as my donor account to switch to M&S for regular saver rate.