Turned down for nationwide switch card

redrabbit29

As the title says, I was refused a switch card from Nationwide. I went in today to try to upgrade my account.

My main account: HSBC - where my salary is paid in to
My occuapation: keyworker on over £24K per year
Living arrangments: Unfurnished renting

I am already a customer of Nationwide's. I've had their current account and e-savings account for about 4 and a half years, but wanted to get a switch card so I could get it swiped at till points.

I've NEVER had a CCJ, never had a loan, or been in trouble for money.

I am registered on the voters register.

I can't understand why I was refused the switch card. Any ideas? do you think it is because my salary isn't paid into my nationwide account? I transfer £150 a month into this account, and draw money out, every 5 or 6 days.

Thanks.

KTF

Well you wont get one as they only issue Visa debit cards

Nationwide have a reputation of being fussy when it comes to handing out debit cards. Did you ask the branch why the request was refused?

redrabbit29

KTF wrote: »

Well you wont get one as they only issue Visa debit cards

Nationwide have a reputation of being fussy when it comes to handing out debit cards. Did you ask the branch why the request was refused?

Haha, well I just messaged nationwide (from my internet account) asking why I was refused a switch card

The lady was quite nice, and explained that it MAY have been due to my credit rating. Really disappointed, as I would have thought my rating would have been quite good.

Of course, I've NEVER had a credit card, a loan, or been in debt. I know that sometimes this can actually be a negative thing, as there is no proof that you can make regular payments.

Stll annoying.

becky170

I was turned down for a nationwide debit card while I was a student as I didn't have a regular income (only my loan installments). I was advised that this was due to not having a regular income being paid in, so after I started paying a regular income (by BACs) into my account I reapplied (after 3 months) and was given one. So you might have also been turned down as you lack a regular income being paid into that account.

redrabbit29

becky170 wrote: »

I was turned down for a nationwide debit card while I was a student as I didn't have a regular income (only my loan installments). I was advised that this was due to not having a regular income being paid in, so after I started paying a regular income (by BACs) into my account I reapplied (after 3 months) and was given one. So you might have also been turned down as you lack a regular income being paid into that account.

Thanks, really useful post! :beer:

I said to the lady who served me that it may have been due to that fact. As one of the standard questions was, "Do you have your salary paid into this account?". My answer was no, of course.

Unfortunately, I'm not willing to get my salary paid into this account, as the whole reason I have it is to seperate all my main money, away from my spending money for the month.

I really do not want to switch banks. The only other option would be Halifax, as I have an ISA with them.

gt94sss2

redrabbit29 wrote: »

I can't understand why I was refused the switch card. Any ideas?

According to previous reportx, Nationwide can be a bid odd in issuing Visa debit cards to existing customers.

You may find that instead of asking to upgrade your existing account, applying for a new current account with them will result in them giving you a debit card (on the new account) while still refusing to give you one on the 'old' account and that paying in a 'regular income' has nothing to do with it..

Regards
Sunil

redrabbit29

gt94sss2 wrote: »

According to previous reportx, Nationwide can be a bid odd in issuing Visa debit cards to existing customers.

You may find that instead of asking to upgrade your existing account, applying for a new current account with them will result in them giving you a debit card (on the new account) while still refusing to give you one on the 'old' account and that paying in a 'regular income' has nothing to do with it..

Regards
Sunil

Hmm, that would be a bit of an inconvineance! I may well try.

Do you know if applying for a current account with halifax would affect my credit rating. E.g. that would mean I would effectively have 3 current accounts.

P.s. I'm already a halifax customer.

gt94sss2

redrabbit29 wrote: »

Do you know if applying for a current account with halifax would affect my credit rating. E.g. that would mean I would effectively have 3 current accounts.

Yes, though they may carry out a credit search even though you are an existing customer. I have at least 4 current accounts including Halifax/Nationwide and HSBC..

Do you not have/get a debit card with your HSBC account and/or else consider getting a credit card (paying it off in full each month)?

Regards
Sunil

BWZN93

A new Flex Account would be credit scored and the score card has recently been changed, making it more difficult to get a Visa debit card. You may find that you still get issued a cash card however as you wont pay your salary in.

Also, the rules have just changed for opening current accounts, if you have current accounts elsewhere you either need to pay in £100 to open the account or do an account transfer from your existing provider.

Hope this helps.

Jo x

dunstonh

I can't understand why I was refused the switch card. Any ideas? do you think it is because my salary isn't paid into my nationwide account? I transfer £150 a month into this account, and draw money out, every 5 or 6 days.

No salary being paid in would hurt your chances. I know I have been out of banking for a while but when I used to do it, if the salary wasnt being paid into that account (or another account at the same branch) it usually ended up being a refusal.

Milarky

jw1096 wrote: »

Also, the rules have just changed for opening current accounts, if you have current accounts elsewhere you either need to pay in £100 to open the account or do an account transfer from your existing provider.

Yes, but the £100 can be taken out as soon as the account is set up. A benefit of a second flexaccount is that you can (say) split a large cheque for 3000+ across both accounts (NW lets you split cheque amounts when paying in) and so benefit from the 4.25%* in-credit interest on up to £6000 instead of just £3000. And you have two debit cards (hopefully) and can therefore double up on over the counter and ATM withdrawals

*assuming both accounts receive external funding of £1000+ per month to qualify