Santander bank account closed with no notice

MrPaulus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148511#Comment_82148511

I live in India, and they've known that for 1-2 years. I'm a UK national, and work in the UK (remotely), and again, they know all this.

I agree 30 days notice would be fair. I've missed an insurance payment which could have major ramifications .

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148518#Comment_82148518

In your position I'd make a complaint, and take it to FoS if you don't get very far. You'll get people telling you complaining to FoS won't get you anywhere, but it doesn't cost you anything other than time, and you won't know if you don't try. The FoS investigator may get additional information that neither Santander nor FoS can share with you, but would be able to tell you the decision to close your account was fair in the circumstances.

If Santander have made an error they should correct it, including compensating you for some consequential losses - for example the impact(s) of the missed insurance payment.

Ayr_Rage

With the state of Royal Mail I wouldn't be surprised if a letter has gone missing.

friolento

Given that the OP lives abroad, there is a possibility that written notices about the impending closure were sent but never arrived

A formal complaint might clarify the reasons.

Maegi

If they don't want you a customer they usually have to give the notice, in many other instances such as material T&Cs breach or AML they will close immediately. They may also close immediately when they're supposed to give notice but give you token compensation to basically go away.

The insurance Direct Debit is a red herring as most providers will accept a manual card or Faster Payment made within a few days with zero or minimal detriment.

MrPaulus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148588#Comment_82148588

As mentioned, I have a mailing address in the UK and I get immediate notice of anything arriving.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148591#Comment_82148591

I have already tried to change the bank account for the insurance policy, and i didn't see any option for a manual payment. This is an example of the kind of inconvenience this has caused me. I was also awaiting a FIT payment for solar which is now likely to get lost.

masonic

If a letter had been sent, it would be unusual for there not to be a corresponding electronic document and email notification of this.

gt94sss2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82148518#Comment_82148518

Going forward, you are likely to find that the only high street bank to allow you to open and maintain a UK account while in India is HSBC.

You can apply online at https://www.hsbc.co.uk/international/apply-for-a-uk-account/

MrPaulus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82149108#Comment_82149108

Thanks. I actually have an HSBC account in India. That was a real struggle to open!

I have accounts in the UK with Wise and Revolut too. I’ve been through the KYC process with Wise and they are also aware I’m residing in India.

Thinking about it overnight, I’ve got some even bigger issues. First of all, they have issued a cheque, which I won’t be able to pay into either a Revolut or Wise bank account. Also, I have a linked Chip savings account, and that isn’t able to transfer funds to and from any of my existing bank accounts!

Even with 24 hours notice, I could’ve sorted so many of these things out.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82149119#Comment_82149119

Even with 24 hours notice, I could’ve sorted so many of these things out.

This is where I'd focus the complaint if I were in your position. It is understandable if you'd done something illegal or were using the account for criminal purposes for them to close the account without notice so you can't continue using the account that way and/or syphon your ill-gotten gains elsewhere.

But if the closure is simply because they don't want you as a customer (e.g. because you live in a different country) then giving you notice would have allowed you to withdraw your balance(s) to a destination of your choice using your preferred method. This is why, normally, banks have to give 90 days notice - it allows the customer time to get their new arrangements sorted out first.

The way Santander have acted has caused you inconvenience (and possible financial loss) - so unless they have a justification for closing your account immediately without notice then on the face of it they haven't followed the correct process.