Nationwide not giving Direct Debit list to new bank

Genny_2

Hi,
I'm new here and would welcome any advice that can be given. I am switching to Alliance & Leicester from Nationwide but it has run into problems.

I've received a letter to day from Alliance & Leicester saying that Nationwide have not responded to their request to supply details of my direct debits and standing orders. Therefore, A & L state it has been necessary for them to suspend my request. ( I think they mean they've suspended the switching process)

However, they have asked me to contact Nationwide and ask them for the list. I went to my local branch today and they gave me a print out but on returning home, I've found it doesn't give full information - sort codes are missing for each payee.

I think my only option now is to go to my Nationwide on-line account and find the details and/or look at my bills and find the information there.

I would then have to type out the list myself and send it to A & L. I haven't been able to ask them for advice as the phone number isn't being answered, maybe because it's the weekend.

I still want to switch to Alliance & Leicester. I'd appreciate any advice about the Direct Debit list problem. Is typing the list myself the best option?

Eagerly awaiting your replies, Thanks Genny

Sillychuckie

Genny wrote: »

Is typing the list myself the best option?

No. It isn't.
The easiest option is to completely avoid an automated switching process carried out by your bank.
The easiest option, is to run both bank accounts in parallel for a few weeks.
Once your A&L account is open, just set up the standing orders yourself and cancel the ones at Nationwide. It will take you a few minutes if you have online access to both.
Thats the easiest...

But, if you are trying to 'switch' to make the most of an incentive A&L are offering, then you'll have to go through their switching process. Just type the list out manually.
Just be sure that once A&L set them up, you cancel the nationwide ones (as they probably wont listen to A&L's request for them to do so).
Things like this rarely go smoothly.

I tend to just switch one silly standing order (that I set up, to pay myself £1) through the switching process. The rest I do myself.

SC

Genny_2

Sillychuckie wrote: »

Once your A&L account is open, just set up the standing orders yourself and cancel the ones at Nationwide. It will take you a few minutes if you have online access to both.
Thats the easiest...

But, if you are trying to 'switch' to make the most of an incentive A&L are offering, then you'll have to go through their switching process. Just type the list out manually.

Hi SC

Thanks very much for your reply. I'm going to telephone A & L on Monday and let them know that I want to set the Direct Debits up myself. I'll ask them to confirm that they will honour the agreed overdraft which was arranged via the switching service. If they don't agree then I'll follow the rest of your advice and type the list out manually.

I'm annoyed with Nationwide that they didn't supply A & L with the list. I thought old banks are supposed to supply the info within 3 working days.

Thanks again for your advice, much appreciated,

Genny

KTF

Be aware that if A&L dont do the switching themselves they may not match the overdraft (if any) that you have at the Nationwide.

Genny_2

Hi KTF,

Thanks for your message about the overdraft. I did receive a letter from A & L agreeing to the same overdraft I had with my old bank.

When I ring them on Monday I'll ask if they will still agree to it, even if I set up the debits myself.

If not, I will send them a list which I will type up and hope that will be okay.

I'll write their reply on this thread when I have their answer. I'm just hoping it goes in my favour.

Many Thanks, Genny

jonesMUFCforever

I would start a complaints procedure against Nationwide.

I think this is scenario is covered by the Banking code.

YorkshireBoy

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

I would start a complaints procedure against Nationwide.

I think this is scenario is covered by the Banking code.

Indeed, and they must comply within 3 working days of receiving the request.

http://www.bankingcode.org.uk/pdfdocs/PERSONAL_CODE_2008.PDF
(See 7.3 at the bottom of page 11)

MarkyMarkD

It definitely is. It's a specific banking code requirement to provide your new bank with the DD and SO details within a specific timescale.

I should contact Nationwide yourself and ask them what they are playing at. And then escalate it if they don't promise to resolve it immediately.

Genny_2

Hi,

Thanks for all your posts, they've been a huge help for me, deciding a course of action to take.

My first call on Monday will be to Nationwide to tell them I'm making a complaint. I'll then follow their procedures. They might want it in writing or for me to visit a branch.

If I'm not satisfied with their explanation for being outwith the 3 day time limit, I will report them to the financial ombudsman. I don't see what reasonable excuse they could have.

Thanks very much for searching the web for information and links. Everyone has been very helpful and it's much appreciated.

Genny

noh

I had a similar problem when switching a Nationwide account to the Halifax for the £100 incentive last year. Halifax told me Nationwide were not responding. I called Nationwide but was unable to speak with any one in the relevant department but was assured that if they had received the request it would have been acted upon.
I eventually discovered that the process is automated and Nationwide ( or their system) were rejecting the request because the name on the accounts was not an exact match. (My account with NW has my full first name, middle initial, and surname whereas the Halifax account has initials and surname).
Halifax failed to react to the rejection. The problem was solved when I wrote to the Halifax informing them exactly what details to provide to NW.

Nigel

Genny_2

Hi Nigel,

I'm thinking you may have hit the nail on the head. I've looked at the cheque book A & L have sent me and likewise it has my initials and surname but my other bank account has my full name.

Seems there may have been a mismatch causing a rejection.

However, the problem of mismatched names has been brought to the banks' attention last year but they haven't resolved the problem.

Maybe one organisation is as bad as the other.

Thanks very much for your information , I'll follow it up on Monday.

Cheers, Genny