Complaints against the GB Bank!!!!

Yorkie1

Or even just Llanfair PG!

TheBanker

Miosotis said:

I recently came across the GB Bank, while looking for a better interest rate for two fixed rate bonds that are maturing soon! My experience has been excruciating, and finding out how they discriminate against foreigners like me very demeaning, therefore I would like to know if others have had the same experiences and how it felt like for them!

Their demands go on and on and on. First they did not accept my long, foreign name, very normal in many countries around the world, so I accepted to abbreviate it, no problem. Tried all possible combinations, but.... then, of course, none matched the full name in my nominated account! Not my fault, right???? Therefore I had to submit a copy of my passport and a bank statement. I didn't really want to, because I feel that if no British person has to do it, why me and those "like" me? But I did, as I need the best return on my money that I can get! Two days went by with no answer, so I presumed that all was well!

Worried, I phoned the bank! Oh no, they had even more demands. As my bank puts initials on the bank statement, probably the same for everybody and legal in the UK, they didn't accept it! They demanded I contacted my bank and got one with my name in full! I did, my bank told me that I had to go to the Highstreet! It was raining and cold, my husband offered to drive me there, but OK, this time my account would be opened, right? Oh no! Not with the GB Bank... two days later, meaning, this morning, I received a call and presumed that it was from the complaints department!!! No, it was someone who wished to tell me that the bank had even more demands. They wanted proof that I have the right to live here! And what next????? So I refused! Still waiting to hear from the complaints department and while I do, my Welsh husband, opened an account with them in a matter of minutes! 

Interestingly enough, a lady, from the customer service had a good excuse to make it seem as if they are not discriminating against foreigners. She told me that when she wanted to open an account, and didn't want to include her full name, as she didn't want to use her grandmother's name, she had to show all kinds of documents. I tried to tell her that this was a completely different situation, to which she put down the phone. The lack of respect towards prospective clients is horrendous! 

The only thing I wanted to do was to open a savings account, using my legal name and money obtained legally! The lady on the phone today kept telling me not to take it personally! What did she mean? That us foreigners have to put up with more, just because of who we are and where we come from? I feel humiliated, am angry, frustrated and with good reason. I didn't get to this ripe old age to be treated badly, because of having been born in a different country and having a name that is longer than the average British name, but then there are millions like me in this country, some even born here, from foreign parents! Why is this not talked about??? Some discrimination is still very well tolerated! At one of the main banks I was told that maybe my best option is to change my name and adapt it to the British norms. Still, no bank has been as bad as the GB Bank! 

Why do you say they 'Demanded' it? I am pretty sure they didn't 'Demand' anything - rather they told you what you needed to supply if you wished to apply for an account with their bank. As many other people have said, they need to verify your identity to comply with the law. Complying with the law is not optional. Here is an example of what happens to banks who turn a blind eye to their obligations:

https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-fines-monzo-21m-failings-financial-crime-controls

clairec666

It's perfectly acceptable for banks to scrutinize your ID. But I don't think it's acceptable to suggest people Anglicise their names - everyone's name is personal to them and they shouldn't feel forced to change it. Ideally banks should adapt their technology so that longer names can be accepted, even if it's a bit of a pain for them.
Mind you, not sure what they would have done when Prince changed his name to a symbol...