Additional accounts

t33

Always been a bit curious why when applying for an additional account at an institution where you already have account(s) the application process is so varied.  It seems from a complete application from scratch (which is hopefully married to existing profile(s)) to inputting some detail (often dob, address, email, mobile etc), again hoping it is successfully married to existing profile.  If the profiles don't get married for some technicality rather than change in personal details, this can be a pain, as I've found out.

It seems I have to do these frequently, especially when the rates are on the move, and the dreaded applying for a latest issue is necessary.  Although it can take not too long to do, with many joint accounts and an address that is frequently tripped up in the application process (many different layout options of the same address, don't ask) it can lead to a long drawn out saga of providing ID, sending off etc which can be time consuming and cause delays to account opening. 

Is this simply the different levels of sophistication of systems/security setups?  Or does it have a security element?  I've always wondered why, if you are logged into your existing account, on applying for an additional account it doesn't offer a - this is your existing data, is it still correct - option which a yes/no option to proceed.  This would be nice.   But wondering if there is a good reason/security reason this is not available (or not on any account I have).

Just curious really if anyone can enlighten.

Flugelhorn

I find it a pain RBS open a new account quickly and easily - no fuss. Nationwide want inside leg measurement, so I have bothered to continue the application.

boingy

Yeah, it depends on the bank. With some it's a couple of clicks once you are logged in. With others they mostly ignore your login and make you apply in full as if you are a completely new customer. 

My latest annoyance was wanting to close an account rather than open one. Instead of giving me the option to close it in the app or in chat, NatWest gave me a webform which required my name, address, date of birth, sort code, account number etc. It's just lack of thought and not caring for the customer.

Recent pleasant experiences for me: Opening a second current account with Halifax and opening a savings account with Metro (as a current account holder). A click or two, a confirmation and all done. So there is some hope out there.

I also get disproportionally irritated by little user interface things. Like logins that request three digits from your secret number but don't automatically advance the cursor after each digit so you have to click in each of the three boxes to type the three numbers. It's just bad design. 

Eco_Miser

boingy said:

I also get disproportionally irritated by little user interface things. Like logins that request three digits from your secret number but don't automatically advance the cursor after each digit so you have to click in each of the three boxes to type the three numbers. It's just bad design. 

That annoys me too, but I've found the tab key advances to the next box, so I don't have to swap input method.

fourmarks

boingy said:

I also get disproportionally irritated by little user interface things. Like logins that request three digits from your secret number but don't automatically advance the cursor after each digit so you have to click in each of the three boxes to type the three numbers. It's just bad design. 

Disproportionally Irritated, that's the perfect description. Drives me nuts!!

trickydicky14

So I am not on my own, it drives me up the wall.

where_are_we

Yorkshire BS take the "biscuit"! Despite having being "with them" a long time and having umpteen accounts they insist on my sending 3 different documents in the post to prove who I am everytime I open a new account.

Albermarle

where_are_we said:

Yorkshire BS take the "biscuit"! Despite having being "with them" a long time and having umpteen accounts they insist on my sending 3 different documents in the post to prove who I am everytime I open a new account.

That is really ridiculous !

Bridlington1

Albermarle said:

where_are_we said:

Yorkshire BS take the "biscuit"! Despite having being "with them" a long time and having umpteen accounts they insist on my sending 3 different documents in the post to prove who I am every time I open a new account.

That is really ridiculous !

For balance I've opened many additional accounts with YBS online in the past, most recently a loyalty regular saver and I've never had to send them any documents, in fact I've found their account opening process to be quite straightforward really.

friolento

where_are_we said:

Yorkshire BS take the "biscuit"! Despite having being "with them" a long time and having umpteen accounts they insist on my sending 3 different documents in the post to prove who I am everytime I open a new account.

Never happened to me. I have opened many YBS accounts in less than a minute, no paper involved at all. Have you asked them why you get such “special” treatment?