List of banks with hard vs soft searches for current accounts

ForumUser7

I've been able to get hold of a copy of my Experian Statutory Report, and I can report/confirm the following:

An existing customer application for a Santander Basic Bank Account resulted in an 'unrecorded enquiry'
An existing customer application for a Nationwide FlexAccount resulted in a 'multiple product quotation'
An existing customer application for a Nationwide FlexDirect resulted in a 'current account'
A new customer application for a First Direct First Account resulted in a 'current account'
An existing application for a Barclays Bank PLC The Barclays Bank A/C resulted in a 'current account'

I think unrecorded enquiry/multiple product quotation are soft searches, and 'current account' is a hard search.

Other applications I've done are not yet showing, but they may show in time, and may show at other CRAs.

Interestingly, there are several 'IDENTIFICATION: GENERIC CHECK' entries showing from when I was 17, not quite sure why these are recorded, but anyway. Also, some of the 'time at address' fields read 00 years and 00 months, but I'm guessing that is just when the company haven't included that bit on their request to search.

I applied for 2 Nationwide products on two consecutive days, the day I applied for the flex account shows MPQ, and the date I applied for FlexDirect shows CA. I wonder if a second hard search will appear from nationwide in time, but the 2 applications from the 2 days show.

YMMV

mrjermaineh

Monzo in the hard search list, but I only got soft searches.

pecunianonolet

mrjermaineh said:

Monzo in the hard search list, but I only got soft searches.

Thanks and have amended it on p1

boingy

Chase bank are now part of CASS:

Switching to Chase | Chase UK

bgr62

Think Money has no credit checks and is part of CASS, recently used these for a switch to Ulster. I know there's a fee per month but as long as you switch away before that month comes, I've found you don't get charged!

ns1993

bgr62 said:

Think Money has no credit checks and is part of CASS, recently used these for a switch to Ulster. I know there's a fee per month but as long as you switch away before that month comes, I've found you don't get charged!

Just to note with Thinkmoney, their deposits are held with RBS, so a Thinkmoney current account can't be used to switch into RBS

nabejb0709

Two weeks ago I made a CC application for Halifax's Clarity CC &  instantly it was approved albeit with a higher APR 27.9% than 24.9%. 
Because I already had a credit account with Halifax, I decided to apply for a standard current account -no OD requested - via the app yesterday but I was surprised to discover Halifax perform another hard credit search with Experian & now left with two credit applications with Experian.
Is this normal? 

I also applied for First Direct First Account application, £250 OD 0% APR -instantly approved and this is recorded on Experian & TransUnion.
No hard searches recorded on Equifax - only soft enquiry recorded.

pecunianonolet

nabejb0709 said:

Two weeks ago I made a CC application for Halifax's Clarity CC &  instantly it was approved albeit with a higher APR 27.9% than 24.9%. 
Because I already had a credit account with Halifax, I decided to apply for a standard current account -no OD requested - via the app yesterday but I was surprised to discover Halifax perform another hard credit search with Experian & now left with two credit applications with Experian.
Is this normal? 

I also applied for First Direct First Account application, £250 OD 0% APR -instantly approved and this is recorded on Experian & TransUnion.
No hard searches recorded on Equifax - only soft enquiry recorded.

Yes, this is normal as these are individual applications for credit or current account. Not all providers report to all three credit unions and sometimes it doesn't show up instantly. Sometimes it takes until the next reporting cycle for it to show in the file.

nabejb0709

Will switching new Halifax current a/c means I have to close the new Halifax Clarity CC account as well? Or it just the account itself? Different banks have different policies I understand when it come down to CASS.

I have a long-standing HSBC current a/c with CC and because I’ve applied for First Direct with my intention to switch it to them to claim £175 and use it as my primary account, as I want a new change, my HSBC bank account is over 20 years old. Is it wise for me to close it (no late payments in past 6 yrs showing on file) or will it actually be harmful to my overall credit history past?

pecunianonolet

Don't close your HSBC account if it is 20 years old, that would be very bad for your credit file. Why don't you open an account with one of the providers not using a hard search and use that as dummy to switch? If you search for the switch threads you'll find a lot of info or you can always start a new thread and ask for specific advise to your individual case.

For Halifax, I would probably stay away switching it straight away out and make use of the reward option to get a 5er each month. Also, Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) is powerful and they don't like too many switches out. Also, withing the LBG you can open other current accounts without hard search. If you do, leave enough time between the openings, would say at least a week, better more.