Bank inviting me in for a chat...

missyg_3

Hi, I recently moved a big chunk of my savings to a new bank and put it into fixed term accounts.

The new bank have called me, inviting me in for a face to face "financial review", apparently so we can discuss if I am doing the best thing with my money.

I immediately assumed it would be for them to try to sell me financial products that I don't want, made my excuses and we left it that they would call me back in a month.

Has this happened to anyone else, did you go in for a chat and did it turn out to be worth it or a big waste of time?

jess1974

I'm getting calls from my bank at the moment asking me to come in for a 'chat', i'm not going to, as they will just try to flog me a load of services and products i do not want. I am with the HSBC by the way. My hubby has just opened an account with Halifax and they were just as bad...

ad44downey

missyg wrote: »

I immediately assumed it would be for them to try to sell me financial products that I don't want,

You assumed correctly.

Biggles

I have been asked. I just said, "No, thanks". I never heard any more.

As you suspect, it's for their benefit only, so ask if they'll pay your wages for the time lost!

debbie42

missyg wrote: »

I immediately assumed it would be for them to try to sell me financial products that I don't want, made my excuses and we left it that they would call me back in a month.

You cynic

Yes, that would be precisely it. I actually got paid £25 once by the A&L for the vary same thing, which is the only way I'd actually attend such a meeting. Mind you it was like getting blood out of a stone to actually get the dosh off them. Never again, not even for £25. (Maybe £50 might tempt me...)

gazzak_2

We had the same issue a few years back with Lloyds TSB. Went in to discover they were simply trying to sell me their products that I didn't need, all at a cost to me. A total and utter waste of my time.

The advice on here is 100 times better.

gt94sss2

jess1974 wrote: »

I'm getting calls from my bank at the moment asking me to come in for a 'chat', i'm not going to, as they will just try to flog me a load of services and products i do not want. I am with the HSBC by the way.

Thats interesting - I have heard of these 'chats' with most banks - Natwest and Lloyds seem to like offering them the most.. but have never heard of HSBC offering them 'as normal' in the past.

Regards
Sunil

dunstonh

I quite like the banks selling people naff products. It gives me a job a few years later when I have to sort out the mess.

I'm not joking, I seem to spend more time sorting out tied agent sold rubbish nowadays than dealing with new clean money. LloydsTSB, Halifax and Norwich & Peterborough seem to be the common offenders.

They want you in to flog their products.

fablad75

I think it's not totally useless. While you MSErs here tend to be a money-savvy lot, other people can be quite confused about all the different products out there, what with regular savers, guaranteed reserves, variable rate savers, etc. If someone's already decided to do business with a bank, a review can (conceivably) help them decide where to best put their money, or what sort of account suits their saving/spending styles. I think it's just a matter of going in with an open mind to options while still staying clear about what you need so you're not pressured into buying unsuitable products.

dunstonh

other people can be quite confused about all the different products out there, what with regular savers, guaranteed reserves, variable rate savers, etc

If it was only the non-regulated products and services then that would be fine. No problems at all. However, they are treating it as a sales opportunity for the regulated products and that is where the banks are totally useless.

missyg_3

Thanks guys, so it's as I thought

Debbie, £25 would probably do it for me though! :rotfl: