List of banks with hard vs soft searches for current accounts

Bridlington1

ForumUser7 said:

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

[Deleted User] said:

As I said on the other thread, basic accounts are only for those who don’t qualify for a “normal” current account. By you holding one makes you ineligible so whether there’s a credit search or not is a moot point. 

Thank you for pointing that out.

@pecunianonolet - I contacted Santander live chat, and they didn't know and said I'd have to call

I think Metro Bank is likely out the picture for me for now, as they state for ID they accept originals only and no photocopies, and they don't mention certified. Don't live near a branch, and I haven't fully been added onto credit reference agency systems yet.

I hold Starling and Monzo, and use both, so I'm reluctant to switch from one of them.

Opening a second account with a provider I already hold accounts with, then switching it out straight away doesn't seem like a great idea.

That only leaves Ulster (Which I want to switch into), First Direct (which I want to open and keep for the RS), and Co-op who I think I should leave for a RAF offer

Yesterday, I decided rather than opening a new club lloyds and Halifax rewards I should upgrade my existing accounts. On reflection, that was not a great idea, as if I'd opened new ones, it would've left the old ones right for switching...

I was able to open my Metro account online within about 10-15 minutes. If I recall correctly they checked my passport online by scanning it on my phone. I certainly didn't need to visit a branch or anything to provide ID so I wouldn't let that put you off opening an account with them.

Thanks for pointing this out - I'll go ahead and open an account with them - I did think what the agent said was odd!

Does anyone know please, if you open more than one account with Metro on one day, do they only carry out 1 hard search, or is it literally 1 hard search per account regardless of the gap between the applications?

They don't even do 1 hard search for opening a single current account. They've never done a hard search on me and I opened Metro account in January, though I've never had an OD or anything with them though.

ForumUser7

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

[Deleted User] said:

As I said on the other thread, basic accounts are only for those who don’t qualify for a “normal” current account. By you holding one makes you ineligible so whether there’s a credit search or not is a moot point. 

Thank you for pointing that out.

@pecunianonolet - I contacted Santander live chat, and they didn't know and said I'd have to call

I think Metro Bank is likely out the picture for me for now, as they state for ID they accept originals only and no photocopies, and they don't mention certified. Don't live near a branch, and I haven't fully been added onto credit reference agency systems yet.

I hold Starling and Monzo, and use both, so I'm reluctant to switch from one of them.

Opening a second account with a provider I already hold accounts with, then switching it out straight away doesn't seem like a great idea.

That only leaves Ulster (Which I want to switch into), First Direct (which I want to open and keep for the RS), and Co-op who I think I should leave for a RAF offer

Yesterday, I decided rather than opening a new club lloyds and Halifax rewards I should upgrade my existing accounts. On reflection, that was not a great idea, as if I'd opened new ones, it would've left the old ones right for switching...

I was able to open my Metro account online within about 10-15 minutes. If I recall correctly they checked my passport online by scanning it on my phone. I certainly didn't need to visit a branch or anything to provide ID so I wouldn't let that put you off opening an account with them.

Thanks for pointing this out - I'll go ahead and open an account with them - I did think what the agent said was odd!

Does anyone know please, if you open more than one account with Metro on one day, do they only carry out 1 hard search, or is it literally 1 hard search per account regardless of the gap between the applications?

They don't even do 1 hard search for opening a single current account. They've never done a hard search on me and I opened Metro account in January, though I've never had an OD or anything with them though.

Oh right - this thread seems to have people with some varying experiences. I wouldn't request an OD with them - maybe this is the thing that caused differences between people's experiences

ForumUser7

When I applied for Nationwide, it clearly said in a pop up box it would do a soft check if I clicked the next button, and then later on it said it would do a hard check if I clicked confirm.

Metro Bank on the other hand didn't clearly state anywhere in my application that they would carry out any credit check, which seems odd. So either they've carried out a soft check and not said, or a hard check and not said.

Edit, forgot to say, @bridlington1 you were right, they wanted a photo of the front of my driving licence and that was it. Once again, this board has proved itself as more knowledgeable than bank staff 😂

AmityNeon

ForumUser7 said:

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

Does anyone know please, if you open more than one account with Metro on one day, do they only carry out 1 hard search, or is it literally 1 hard search per account regardless of the gap between the applications?

They don't even do 1 hard search for opening a single current account. They've never done a hard search on me and I opened Metro account in January, though I've never had an OD or anything with them though.

Oh right - this thread seems to have people with some varying experiences. I wouldn't request an OD with them - maybe this is the thing that caused differences between people's experiences

It's likely Metro modified its procedures over time. It appears only older applications have involved hard searches by Metro (even without an overdraft facility); experiences recounting a more recent application (i.e. within the past six months) have only mentioned soft searches, though requesting an overdraft will involve a hard search as it's an application for credit.

ForumUser7

AmityNeon said:

ForumUser7 said:

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

Does anyone know please, if you open more than one account with Metro on one day, do they only carry out 1 hard search, or is it literally 1 hard search per account regardless of the gap between the applications?

They don't even do 1 hard search for opening a single current account. They've never done a hard search on me and I opened Metro account in January, though I've never had an OD or anything with them though.

Oh right - this thread seems to have people with some varying experiences. I wouldn't request an OD with them - maybe this is the thing that caused differences between people's experiences

It's likely Metro modified its procedures over time. It appears only older applications have involved hard searches by Metro (even without an overdraft facility); experiences recounting a more recent application (i.e. within the past six months) have only mentioned soft searches, though requesting an overdraft will involve a hard search as it's an application for credit.

Possibly, I'll try to figure out how to view my credit records/files (Transunion says I don't exist for 4-6 weeks still), and then check what they've done and try to remember to report back

pecunianonolet

ForumUser7 said:

AmityNeon said:

ForumUser7 said:

Bridlington1 said:

ForumUser7 said:

Does anyone know please, if you open more than one account with Metro on one day, do they only carry out 1 hard search, or is it literally 1 hard search per account regardless of the gap between the applications?

They don't even do 1 hard search for opening a single current account. They've never done a hard search on me and I opened Metro account in January, though I've never had an OD or anything with them though.

Oh right - this thread seems to have people with some varying experiences. I wouldn't request an OD with them - maybe this is the thing that caused differences between people's experiences

It's likely Metro modified its procedures over time. It appears only older applications have involved hard searches by Metro (even without an overdraft facility); experiences recounting a more recent application (i.e. within the past six months) have only mentioned soft searches, though requesting an overdraft will involve a hard search as it's an application for credit.

Possibly, I'll try to figure out how to view my credit records/files (Transunion says I don't exist for 4-6 weeks still), and then check what they've done and try to remember to report back

I opened a Metro account in January, no overdraft. I did not provide any form of ID, received the debit card 3 days later. Never activated the card and on the same day I received it I opened a Lloyds account and used the Metro details for the switch. Only a soft search appeared with Experian and a record that a current account was opened and when it was closed. I think it also states the few days the account was open.

ForumUser7

Thanks @pecunianonolet Does anyone know if it is possible to hold more than one current account with metro bank at the same time please? And if so, do you just go through the same application process and it all gets linked up? I thought there would be an even quicker process for existing customers, but I’m struggling to find it.

Also, has anyone ever used ThinkMoney as a source for donor accounts? They seem to be part of CASS, and seem to say they carry out no credit check - only ID check. I’m aware they aren’t FSCS covered though, only by safeguarding.

AmityNeon

ForumUser7 said:

Does anyone know if it is possible to hold more than one current account with metro bank at the same time please? And if so, do you just go through the same application process and it all gets linked up? I thought there would be an even quicker process for existing customers, but I’m struggling to find it.

Yes it's possible, but you literally have to go through exactly the same application process. The only difference is you won't have to re-register for online banking, and that will remain the case even after you no longer hold any accounts with them.

Band7

I am an existing RBS, Natwest and Ulster account holder, and applied for a new current account, no O/Ds, with each of them on Friday. I can’t recall that I was asked/told about credit searches, and initially, no searches were showing on any of the CRAs. ClearScore has now just notified me that 3 hard searches will be added. Not that this worries me as I won’t be applying for any actual credit any time soon.

flaneurs_lobster

My recent (successful) application and one abandoned application to Ulster Bank managed to generate three hard searches.