Nationwide - Hard Credit Check

throughtheblue

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

Ed-1

throughtheblue said:

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

Lots of providers hard credit check for every current account application. A few don't for existing current account customers.

dealyboy

Hi ttb ...

throughtheblue said:

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

I have opened and used 3 FlexAccounts as donors recently, but didn't ask for an overdraft in the applications, I had no problems.

I have just had another look at the overview of opening an account and I may be wrong but it suggests a credit check is only done for arranged overdraughts, when you find out how much (soft) and apply (hard).

throughtheblue

dealyboy said:

Hi ttb ...

throughtheblue said:

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

I have opened and used 3 FlexAccounts as donors recently, but didn't ask for an overdraft in the applications, I had no problems.

I have just had another look at the overview of opening an account and I may be wrong but it suggests a credit check is only done for arranged overdraughts, when you find out how much (soft) and apply (hard).

Interesting - I actually said 'no' to the arranged overdraft, but it didn't make a difference.

dealyboy

throughtheblue said:

dealyboy said:

Hi ttb ...

throughtheblue said:

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

I have opened and used 3 FlexAccounts as donors recently, but didn't ask for an overdraft in the applications, I had no problems.

I have just had another look at the overview of opening an account and I may be wrong but it suggests a credit check is only done for arranged overdraughts, when you find out how much (soft) and apply (hard).

Interesting - I actually said 'no' to the arranged overdraft, but it didn't make a difference.

... I should add that I'm personally not bothered by a check and as such I actually don't remember whether I was informed (as I would have been) or not.

throughtheblue

dealyboy said:

throughtheblue said:

dealyboy said:

Hi ttb ...

throughtheblue said:

I've gone to apply for an additional debit card with Nationwide. I have multiple products with them, current account, credit, and savings. I've also been a member for 15+ years.
I was under the impression that I could apply for an additional current account with just a soft search, but to complete the application Nationwide need to run a 'hard credit check'.
Does this seem right? I was looking to take advantage of the current account switching offers and didn't want to use my main debit card so went to set up a new one. I'm obviously expecting a hard credit check when carrying out a switch to a new bank, but not with one I've been with for so long and have multiple products with.

I have opened and used 3 FlexAccounts as donors recently, but didn't ask for an overdraft in the applications, I had no problems.

I have just had another look at the overview of opening an account and I may be wrong but it suggests a credit check is only done for arranged overdraughts, when you find out how much (soft) and apply (hard).

Interesting - I actually said 'no' to the arranged overdraft, but it didn't make a difference.

... I should add that I'm personally not bothered by a check and as such I actually don't remember whether I was informed (as I would have been) or not.

I see. I was prepared for one credit check upon switching this new donor account, but not one setting it up with my current bank. I wouldn't be bothered, but I'm always keeping an eye out on potentially buying a house, so don't want to wrack up a lot of checks short notice.

dealyboy

... Tell you what I'll try another one now ... watch this space. --> @throughtheblue Well it performed a soft and hard check despite my opting out of the arranged overdraft, and this time it said 'We're doing a few more checks' ... we'll let you know, whereas previously it opened the accounts immediately. BTW I applied within internet banking.

throughtheblue

dealyboy said:

... Tell you what I'll try another one now ... watch this space. --> @throughtheblue Well it performed a soft and hard check despite my opting out of the arranged overdraft, and this time it said 'We're doing a few more checks' ... we'll let you know, whereas previously it opened the accounts immediately. BTW I applied within internet banking.

Thanks. I may contact Nationwide, as it seems unnecessary to me given my active banking, accounts I hold and time I've been with them.
I'm ok with one hard search when I switch, but not two in quick succession, so I'll probably avoid the switch if I can't work a way round the hard search.

surreysaver

Even if you don't apply for an overdraft, a current account application will still usually cause a hard check to be performed as the account could still go overdrawn 

dealyboy

Hello again through ...

throughtheblue said:

dealyboy said:

... Tell you what I'll try another one now ... watch this space. --> @throughtheblue Well it performed a soft and hard check despite my opting out of the arranged overdraft, and this time it said 'We're doing a few more checks' ... we'll let you know, whereas previously it opened the accounts immediately. BTW I applied within internet banking.

Thanks. I may contact Nationwide, as it seems unnecessary to me given my active banking, accounts I hold and time I've been with them.
I'm ok with one hard search when I switch, but not two in quick succession, so I'll probably avoid the switch if I can't work a way round the hard search.

I thought I would just give you an update ...
... that Nationwide Flexaccount I applied for Saturday, I received the account opening details this morning. So that's four I've now opened without issue. Although they are doing a soft and hard check, maybe its a bit flaccid if you say no to the arranged overdraft.

BTW I've just applied successfully for a Santander Everyday Current Account, my third in the last month. There was no credit check, nor ID check, again I opted out of the arranged overdraft ... maybe worth a try. I should point out that I have an eSaver with online banking, so they do know me.
BTW2 Heard about the Halifax switch offer ?

throughtheblue

dealyboy said:

Hello again through ...

throughtheblue said:

dealyboy said:

... Tell you what I'll try another one now ... watch this space. --> @throughtheblue Well it performed a soft and hard check despite my opting out of the arranged overdraft, and this time it said 'We're doing a few more checks' ... we'll let you know, whereas previously it opened the accounts immediately. BTW I applied within internet banking.

Thanks. I may contact Nationwide, as it seems unnecessary to me given my active banking, accounts I hold and time I've been with them.
I'm ok with one hard search when I switch, but not two in quick succession, so I'll probably avoid the switch if I can't work a way round the hard search.

I thought I would just give you an update ...
... that Nationwide Flexaccount I applied for Saturday, I received the account opening details this morning. So that's four I've now opened without issue. Although they are doing a soft and hard check, maybe its a bit flaccid if you say no to the arranged overdraft.

BTW I've just applied successfully for a Santander Everyday Current Account, my third in the last month. There was no credit check, nor ID check, again I opted out of the arranged overdraft ... maybe worth a try. I should point out that I have an eSaver with online banking, so they do know me.
BTW2 Heard about the Halifax switch offer ?

Thanks for the update - just clocked the halifax switch offer.
I'll look at the details. I was going to go for the first direct to access there regular saver but I think I've had one too recently, so may opt for Natwest.
I was going to use Starling Bank as a dummy account as I don't think they'll run a hard check.