Credit Score (I think) halting Savings Account application

Shaky1105

Hi.
After calculating all the interest I/we've earned this tax year, I worked out that my allocation (if the interest rates stay as they are) due to me having a couple of regular saver payouts would probably just take me over the £1k PSA limit so we decided to open a separate savings account for my partner.........or that was the plan at least ?
The problem is that she hasn't worked (or claimed any benefits) for roughly 12 years or so (just been a housewife I suppose) and even though we've got a joint Santander 123 bank account, joint Santander savings account & she is also named on a couple of the household bills/insurances etc, the recent application we made for an individual savings account for her (with Metro) failed.
I remember a few years ago when I tried to open a joint First Direct account (for the attached Regular Saver) the application failed but my personal application went through no problem !
I'm presuming the issue is that she's basically got no credit history, so what steps can we take to make her look a better proposition for future applications ?
If it helps, she will officially become a Pensioner on 20th June 2024 if that makes any difference.
TIA.

born_again

A simple savings acc should not require a credit check.

la531983

Indeed, its likely they cant actually verify who she is. Is she on the electoral roll?

Cant she open a savings account with the bank she has a current account with (I assume she must have her own banking facilities here?)

Cloth_of_Gold

I agree with the above. All banks now do an online ID verification. I believe they use a credit reference agency, not to do  a credit check for a savings account but to confirm your identity and address. Were you trying to open the accounts online? Maybe if you went in to a branch and and asked them what ID they would need, probably took a utility bill and driver's licence or passport.

Shaky1105

born_again said:

A simple savings acc should not require a credit check.

I wasn't sure whether it did or not, I was just guessing.

la531983 said:

Indeed, its likely they cant actually verify who she is. Is she on the electoral roll?

Cant she open a savings account with the bank she has a current account with (I assume she must have her own banking facilities here?)

Yes, she is on the electoral role, we've lived in our present address for over 6 years and were only asked for one address. We went through all the asked-for verification checks, which were basically taking a photo of her well in date passport and a selfie. The application was for Metro Bank as it was one of the savings account on the "what we'd go for list" on here. We didn't think about opening an individual savings account for her with Santander as the interest rate isn't very good.

Cloth_of_Gold said:

I agree with the above. All banks now do an online ID verification. I believe they use a credit reference agency, not to do  a credit check for a savings account but to confirm your identity and address. Were you trying to open the accounts online? Maybe if you went in to a branch and and asked them what ID they would need, probably took a utility bill and driver's licence or passport.

As I mentioned above to @la@la531983 we did try to open the account online as there isn't a Metro Branch anywhere near us. With this happening before (with First Direct & Marcus who wouldn't let us open a Joint Account) I just guessed it was maybe through her having a very poor credit score ? Her score is actually 999 but the credit/loan bars are basically at zero.

Apologies for the late replies to all that have offered help, I have a lot of things going on at the moment and I completely forgot I'd posted this !

MorningcoffeeIV

Shaky1105 said:

born_again said:

A simple savings acc should not require a credit check.

I wasn't sure whether it did or not, I was just guessing.

la531983 said:

Indeed, its likely they cant actually verify who she is. Is she on the electoral roll?

Cant she open a savings account with the bank she has a current account with (I assume she must have her own banking facilities here?)

Yes, she is on the electoral role, we've lived in our present address for over 6 years and were only asked for one address. We went through all the asked-for verification checks, which were basically taking a photo of her well in date passport and a selfie. The application was for Metro Bank as it was one of the savings account on the "what we'd go for list" on here. We didn't think about opening an individual savings account for her with Santander as the interest rate isn't very good.

Cloth_of_Gold said:

I agree with the above. All banks now do an online ID verification. I believe they use a credit reference agency, not to do  a credit check for a savings account but to confirm your identity and address. Were you trying to open the accounts online? Maybe if you went in to a branch and and asked them what ID they would need, probably took a utility bill and driver's licence or passport.

 I just guessed it was maybe through her having a very poor credit score ? Her score is actually 999 but the credit/loan bars are basically at zero.

A 999 score means she is either very high risk, very low risk or any level of risk in between.

In other words, ignore it.

eskbanker

Shaky1105 said:

...she hasn't worked (or claimed any benefits) for roughly 12 years or so (just been a housewife I suppose)...

Try posting that on the likes of Mumsnet (and withdraw to a safe distance very quickly....)

Shaky1105

eskbanker said:

Shaky1105 said:

...she hasn't worked (or claimed any benefits) for roughly 12 years or so (just been a housewife I suppose)...

Try posting that on the likes of Mumsnet (and withdraw to a safe distance very quickly....)

  I'm afraid at our ages, we both fall foul of the PC brigade nowadays. I think too many people these days are just a bit too quick to get offended by other's comments, especially when nothing disrespectful is meant.

So, does anyone have any ideas as to how we can get one of the better, higher interest bearing accounts opened online or does it look like we'll probably have to go into a branch ?

Thanks again for any replies. 

Nasqueron

Try another bank with a branch locally and go in with ID, Nationwide (for the regular saver) or First Direct (should be ok with an HSBC branch) as examples. Maybe ask the branch for an appointment if/when the online application fails.

Shaky1105

Well there's obviously no consistency with the different banking institutions at all - lol. We managed to open an account for her with Hampshire Trust Bank and although they did eventually ask for a couple of evidences of ID, (Passport & Joint Current Account Statement) they accepted these as email copies.
Metro Bank just straight refused the application as mentioned earlier & an application for Secure Trust Bank's Easy Access Saver appeared to be going OK until they asked for certificated copies of Photo ID and address !!
The paperwork received from them appeared to point to CRA's not confirming her address ! We've requested Statutory reports from the 3 main ones to see if there is anything there that might flag up a problem but tbh, I reckon it's just the bank's procedures that are halting (or making it more difficult than necessary) the applications.