Changing bank account number - not type of account

UKX69

Section62 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

It's the work of 5 minutes to open a second current account using online banking/app so I can't see why it wouldn't be a simple request in-branch. Just migrate things over to the new account, don't think that changing an account number is possible. 

Other than with the smaller building societies, doing anything in-branch these days is a challenge, as the OP has now discovered.

Whether it is because the banks don't want customers to use branches, or if it is genuine additional regulatory burdens for face-to-face contact, either way it seems the staff (prehaps under instruction from head office) are trying their best to do themselves out of a job.

Nationwide isn't much different in that respect - yes, they are keeping the branches open, but when you walk in the door you get directed to a machine/device of some kind, and if you express a wish to make a transaction with a human at the only open counter position you'll be encouraged - again - to use a machine instead.

Face-to-face account opening also tends to be harder when it comes to ID requirements and/or passing security questions, whereas online/app applications are more likely to be verified electronically, with a few notable exceptions.

Correct. My brother-in -law moved from HSBC to LLoyds a while ago to escape the machines in branch. I equate them to the self service in supermarkets. Jobs are disappearing and machines proliferating.

Rob5342

DasTechniker said:

Section62 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

It's the work of 5 minutes to open a second current account using online banking/app so I can't see why it wouldn't be a simple request in-branch. Just migrate things over to the new account, don't think that changing an account number is possible. 

Other than with the smaller building societies, doing anything in-branch these days is a challenge, as the OP has now discovered.

Whether it is because the banks don't want customers to use branches, or if it is genuine additional regulatory burdens for face-to-face contact, either way it seems the staff (prehaps under instruction from head office) are trying their best to do themselves out of a job.

Nationwide isn't much different in that respect - yes, they are keeping the branches open, but when you walk in the door you get directed to a machine/device of some kind, and if you express a wish to make a transaction with a human at the only open counter position you'll be encouraged - again - to use a machine instead.

Face-to-face account opening also tends to be harder when it comes to ID requirements and/or passing security questions, whereas online/app applications are more likely to be verified electronically, with a few notable exceptions.

Correct. My brother-in -law moved from HSBC to LLoyds a while ago to escape the machines in branch. I equate them to the self service in supermarkets. Jobs are disappearing and machines proliferating.

I'm not sure that's true, some jobs will go in branches but others will be created writing the softeare for the machnes, driving the lorries to transport them to the banks etc. Also as hardly anyone uses branches any more, having machines could make a branch viable where otherwise it might get ckosed, so the machines would essentially be providing jobs. There are loads of things that are now automated that were once done by hand, digging tunnels, connecting phone calls, etc. You can't really accept all the ptogress we made so far and then say thsts it, i dont want any more progress. 

UKX69

Rob5342 said:

DasTechniker said:

Section62 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

It's the work of 5 minutes to open a second current account using online banking/app so I can't see why it wouldn't be a simple request in-branch. Just migrate things over to the new account, don't think that changing an account number is possible. 

Other than with the smaller building societies, doing anything in-branch these days is a challenge, as the OP has now discovered.

Whether it is because the banks don't want customers to use branches, or if it is genuine additional regulatory burdens for face-to-face contact, either way it seems the staff (prehaps under instruction from head office) are trying their best to do themselves out of a job.

Nationwide isn't much different in that respect - yes, they are keeping the branches open, but when you walk in the door you get directed to a machine/device of some kind, and if you express a wish to make a transaction with a human at the only open counter position you'll be encouraged - again - to use a machine instead.

Face-to-face account opening also tends to be harder when it comes to ID requirements and/or passing security questions, whereas online/app applications are more likely to be verified electronically, with a few notable exceptions.

Correct. My brother-in -law moved from HSBC to LLoyds a while ago to escape the machines in branch. I equate them to the self service in supermarkets. Jobs are disappearing and machines proliferating.

I'm not sure that's true, some jobs will go in branches but others will be created writing the softeare for the machnes, driving the lorries to transport them to the banks etc. Also as hardly anyone uses branches any more, having machines could make a branch viable where otherwise it might get ckosed, so the machines would essentially be providing jobs. There are loads of things that are now automated that were once done by hand, digging tunnels, connecting phone calls, etc. You can't really accept all the ptogress we made so far and then say thsts it, i dont want any more progress. 

I’ve got to be honest and say some self service machines are ok if you are in a hurry, but not to the detriment of staff in store who will loose their jobs. My local supermarket has reached a point whereby SF machines outnumber staffed checkouts and they always have big queues. When Mrs T complained, she was told management has instructed staff not to man tills except 1 or 2 until 9.30 am, In order to ‘force customers’ to use SF. Absolutely disgusting and she told them so. As to customers using branches, we have or did have the big four in our town. At opening times, Barclays always had the biggest queue - right down the street. My bank NatWest, not so much, but Lloyds and HSBC always queues. I don’t think anyone uses Santander in my town….😂

UKX69

Edit: Barclays shut the branch lately. Own goal methinks.

xylophone

He has a Nationwide Building Society nearby so I'll look into them. He's brassed off with the attitude of Lloyd's bank and wants a British owned bank.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/ways-to-bank/branch-banking/

We're committed to staying on your high street because we know face to face banking matters.

We want everyone to feel welcome and have what they need to confidently bank with us.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/compare/

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/compare-savings-accounts-and-isas/

He could phone for an appointment to discuss his requirements.

Nasqueron

PRAISETHESUN said:

mr_stripey said:

i don't think bank account number and sort code on their own are much use to anyone, unless they want to pay money into his account?

There's the well known incident involving Mr Clarkson where direct debits were set up on his account after he publically published the details, but you're protected under the DD guarantee in that instance if fraudulent payments were set up.

Clarkson of course, while an oaf, still had the protections of the DD guarantee + the fact the mandate had to be sent to him so, had he wished, he could have stopped any payment being made or claim it back - he let it go as it was for charity. Even then it was at a time with less stringent checks (2008) and now there would be little chance of it actually happening.