Santander free forever bank account changes

singhini

Lightning360 said:

IanManc said:

Since @amyfairweather posted all those documents the people who have been saying that Santander can change the T&Cs to remove free banking or close the accounts altogether seem to have gone very quiet ........

Is there really much more to say? People who want to complain basically ignored what they were saying and it's not like they would just stop complaining just because Santander may be able to do what they are doing.

Ive lost interest in this thread - im not bothered what they do or what Santander does.

Emmia

IanManc said:

Since @amyfairweather posted all those documents the people who have been saying that Santander can change the T&Cs to remove free banking or close the accounts altogether seem to have gone very quiet ........

Really I have no more to add. Santander can still choose to close accounts.  They're under no obligation to continue a relationship with anyone, whether they hold personal or business accounts.

tacpot12

I have sent off my letter of complaint today. I have made the point that my account only averages three payments in and three payments out each month, and I don't need an overdraft, I don't handle cash, and the only time I have ever contacted them is to complain about this!

Smurrfmo

Emmia said:

IanManc said:

Since @amyfairweather posted all those documents the people who have been saying that Santander can change the T&Cs to remove free banking or close the accounts altogether seem to have gone very quiet ........

Really I have no more to add. Santander can still choose to close accounts.  They're under no obligation to continue a relationship with anyone, whether they hold personal or business accounts.

They can close accounts but are choosing not to do so but instead trying to apply charges to a current account which was promised as forever free of charges.  If they terminate relationships based on FOS complaints they'll have an even bigger issue.  The more complaints that roll in the better.

themadvix

jaybeetoo said:

Just move to Starling business banking.

This is what I’m going to do.

Section62

Jumblebumble said:

Lightning360 said:

ice70 said:

 we can only reiterate that our general terms & conditions (Section E, 14) allow us to migrate your account to a different product, but we must provide at least 2 months notice before we do. We’ve sent a letter to all impacted customers, alongside an email where possible.

These changes would not fall into scope for a complaint as we have given more than the recommended notice period for this to allow plenty of time for you to consider and act upon what is best for you and your business going forward and to avoid any financial disadvantages.

So any thoughts on this or are people going to continue to ignore the fact that their aren't adding fees to the product, but essentially closing the product and transferring you to a different one?

Santander are under an obligation to treat customers fairly if I understand correctly

You understand correctly.  The FCA handbook should be bedtime reading for those who want to complain to the ombudsman as 'fair' runs right the way through it like a stick of rock - and fairness will be a key consideration for FOS.

Folk saying the T&C's are the most important thing, and that Santander can do this, are being somewhat disingenuous.  The account T&C's are subordinate to the law (including regulations) and FCA guidance.  Santander can't just do what they want - their decisions have to be legal, and fair.

Tobythedog3

I just received the same letter today.  Sadly I think Santander have been smarter this time and can likely achieve it without falling foul of the Ombudsman.  The letter states "we're simplifying our product range.  The account type you currently have will no longer be available from that date".  So they intend to close the "Business Everyday Current Account"  and are offering to transfer us to a different account a "Business Current Account - Classic".  Of course it just so happens that there is a fee of £9.99 per month for it!   
So as I see it last time they tried to introduce a charge for what had been a free account (when we had been told it would be free for life).  This time they are being sneaky and closing down these accounts and want to transfer us to a new account with a £9.99 per month fee. Without checking the details I expect they can do this under the guise of "simplifying our product range".  Am happy to be proved wrong.

Smurrfmo

Tobythedog3 said:

I just received the same letter today.  Sadly I think Santander have been smarter this time and can likely achieve it without falling foul of the Ombudsman.  The letter states "we're simplifying our product range.  The account type you currently have will no longer be available from that date".  So they intend to close the "Business Everyday Current Account"  and are offering to transfer us to a different account a "Business Current Account - Classic".  Of course it just so happens that there is a fee of £9.99 per month for it!   
So as I see it last time they tried to introduce a charge for what had been a free account (when we had been told it would be free for life).  This time they are being sneaky and closing down these accounts and want to transfer us to a new account with a £9.99 per month fee. Without checking the details I expect they can do this under the guise of "simplifying our product range".  Am happy to be proved wrong.

Well you might be right but I suspect not, the account type is still business current account.  The name seems immaterial.  What matters is the substance of what they are doing, they are not converting one account type to another but adding a charge to an account that was promised forever free.  Only the Ombudsman will decide who is right on this and the Ombudsman will have to consider the fairness of what is being done.

birtynantwich

I've sent my complaint in!

transcendental

I am in the same predicament and have been researching which banks offer free business bank accounts. The co-op looks like a good bet.