RBS refusal to open current account

colsten

Thrugelmir said:

 Foundation accounts only being offered not directly applied for. 

With some providers, you can directly apply for Foundation/Basic accounts, e.g. with Nationwide, Santander or with Credit Unions. Also currency transfer accounts or pre-paid cards acting as pseudo current accounts (without FSCS protection). You'd still need to be able to prove your ID.

Thrugelmir

colsten said:

Thrugelmir said:

 Foundation accounts only being offered not directly applied for. 

With some providers, you can directly apply for Foundation/Basic accounts, e.g. with Nationwide, Santander or with Credit Unions. Also currency transfer accounts or pre-paid cards acting as pseudo current accounts (without FSCS protection). You'd still need to be able to prove your ID.

As we are discussing RBS what other banks do and don't do is irrelevant. They'll have their own internally set criteria. 

colsten

Thrugelmir said:

colsten said:

Thrugelmir said:

 Foundation accounts only being offered not directly applied for. 

With some providers, you can directly apply for Foundation/Basic accounts, e.g. with Nationwide, Santander or with Credit Unions. Also currency transfer accounts or pre-paid cards acting as pseudo current accounts (without FSCS protection). You'd still need to be able to prove your ID.

As we are discussing RBS what other banks do and don't do is irrelevant. They'll have their own internally set criteria. 

 You responded to this general statement:

BobMahelp said:

I've heard from ex-colleagues who returned to the UK from living abroad how difficult and inflexible some things can be due to a lack of credit history. Seems like it's all true. 

It is obviously not "all true" if quite a few companies offer those without credit records perfectly good current accounts. After all, RBS isn't the only UK current account provider, and if someone is in a pickle over banking facilities, it should be helpful for them if they are pointed at other options.

DireEmblem

If you're looking for a general use account, I can recommend Starling.  You should get a free bank card and everything.  They're quite lightweight and app based, but simply and easy to use.

Don80

BobMahelp said:

Newbie here, so please be gentle. My situation is this ;

-I was born and bred in the UK but moved abroad to work and live over 30 years ago. 
-In 2017, knowing I was going to return to the UK, I opened a 'Foundation account' with the RBS which was offered to expats.
-I returned permanently to the UK to retire over 6 months ago I bought a house outright (no mortgage), have almost a million in savings with the RBS in the foundation account, and have a monthly pension income of almost 5K. 
-I asked the RBS to please open a current account for me so I can at the very least benefit from a contactless card and have the opportunity to apply for a UK credit card. 
-They refuse to do so, citing credit history issues (although they refuse to give exact details).
- I have complained to them, stating my situation and that I know that because I lived abroad I have little or no credit history. I asked them to show some common sense and flexibility, and pointed them towards the sum in my account and my income. 
-They still refuse to open a current account. 

My questions to you are ;

-are the RBS completely bound by the lack of ctredit history ? Are they unable to judge a situation of its own merits and show some flexibility ?
-do I have the right to complain ?
-if they still refuse, can anyone advise which banks would be likely to be more flexible and allow me to open a current account ?

Thanks to all and anyone who can answer...

I had a similar situation, I was with RBS for nearly 15 years.  When contactless cards came in they decided I wasn't eligible - despite having a credit card and TSB account that had contactless cards.  I asked for an explanation but got the same kind of response - but as others have noted they're entitled to refuse services.  Their Select Account was also really basic (no interest, basic debit card in my case).

I opened an account with the Bank of Scotland who immediately gave me a contactless card, offered an overdraft (which I declined).  Their account (with the free vantage add on) pays some interest - not that I use this account for that, so the amount of interest is more a "principle" thing for me.  Their customer service has been brilliant, and the current account switch service worked as it should.  If you live in Scotland I'd recommend them based on my experience.

colsten

Don80 said:

 .  If you live in Scotland I'd recommend them based on my experience.

You don’t need to live in Scotland to get a BoS (or RBS) account. UK residency is sufficient.

Don80

colsten said:

Don80 said:

 .  If you live in Scotland I'd recommend them based on my experience.

You don’t need to live in Scotland to get a BoS (or RBS) account. UK residency is sufficient.

No of course not, but if you need branch access it's useful.  Unless they allow you to use Lloyds or Halifax branches elsewhere... 

mab3000

Don80 said:

No of course not, but if you need branch access it's useful.  Unless they allow you to use Lloyds or Halifax branches elsewhere... 

Yes you can use Halifax Branches to access your BOS account.