Alliance & Leicester are the pits

Meltdown_2

Oblivion wrote: »

Each time I have come across this application process software in recent months, my application has been processed and verified by the time I filled in the last field and I got a message on screen telling me that no further documents would be required.

What the end-user sees is that the application has proceeded to completion without any error messages. If the system was designed simply to take the details, put them into a file awaiting action by a human verifier, and indicate to the end-user that the process had been completed successfully, then how would that end-user know that further action was going to be required by the bank and its human verifier?

Oblivion

Meltdown wrote: »

What the end-user sees is that the application has proceeded to completion without any error messages. If the system was designed simply to take the details, put them into a file awaiting action by a human verifier, and indicate to the end-user that the process had been completed successfully, then how would that end-user know that further action was going to be required by the bank and its human verifier?

Whatever. What I can say for certainty is that on the three occasions I have encountered this process, I have not been required to provide any other proof of identity and my accounts have been opened without delay, thus saving me a lot of wasted time and aggravation and probably saving a few trees in some rain forest. :T

bgscotty

Hello.

I too applied for the Direct ISA 4 and was amazed that I was informed I would have to provide further documents as I have my current account with them.

It would have been inconvenient to travel to a branch as there isn't one for 15 miles.

Based on the earlier advice about double checking your address record with the Electoral Roll, I called the Electoral people and got an exact note of how my address is recorded.

I applied again online yesterday afternoon with the new details and lo-and-behold, I got an instant email informing me the application was successful....

Excellent tip :-)

BG

MarkyMarkD

Thanks for the info, Oblivion.

And similarly, bgscotty. I have to suspect that the failure of the online verification for Somerset is due to inconsistent address records in some way.

Somerset

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

Thanks for the info, Oblivion.

And similarly, bgscotty. I have to suspect that the failure of the online verification for Somerset is due to inconsistent address records in some way.

Afraid not markymark. ER has my correct address. Bills and bank statements had precisely the same address. As I said, the A&L staff at the local branch were meticulous checking in view of the previous problems. However in hindsight I'm glad the opening process failed. I posted on another thread about problems closing two A&L business accounts ( done now, two and a half months ). I've found A&L to be truly awful so I'm actually glad the savings account never got opened - I personally will steer clear of them.

dorian.gray

I applied for the A&L 6.25% ISA online without any problems (I have never previously been with them) It took me no more than five mintues and the only detailed information they needed was my national insurance number and my HSBC bank details to link it to my current account. It was probably the easiest process I've ever encountered in the banking domain; very straight forward and most definitely of the times.

lisap4123

My BF applied for the nationwide flex account. The women in the branch who dealt with him was tapping away at her computer going through all the ID he had with him - 'computer says no' was the response. So tried online - account application successful. However then a letter comes through. Need ID of person from a specific list (~ ok no problem) and ID of address - of which only the following are acceptable - Mortgage statement, Gas / Electricity bill, Land line phone bill , Water bill, Council tax bill. No other ID will do. So if like my BF you do not have these as at your home address the bills are registered to parents, and your rental address is inclusive of bills - you cannot get an account ! How ridiculous is this - my BF plays football for the England mens Blind Football Team sponsored by Nationwide - and he cannot get an account with them as they are so specific as to the ID they will accept, and if you don't fit their specific criteria they blame the Financial Services Authority regulations 'rules' and 'the computer says no' !!

lisap4123

Just to add to that that he is registered on the electoral role and passed that check but they still wanted the additional ID

purplestar133

I am trying to pick between A&L Direct ISA issue 4 and Abbey Direct ISA Issue 2. Both have bad reports on here!

The ID procedures are putting me off A&L. I am registered on the electoral role at my parent's address, but I live elsewhere. I was a student and have since been moving around each year. On another thread I was advised that it would look bad on my credit record if I was to keep updating my address, so I decided to stay registered at my parent's where I can always be contacted.

I've had an ISA with A&L before and was asked to take ID into the branch. I've since transferred out to Kent Reliance. Do you think I would have a problem with them verifying my identity if I was to transfer my ISA back from Kent Reliance to A&L?

Meltdown_2

lisap4123,
I suspect that if your BF contacted the PR dept at the Nationwide and told them what you have told us, his account would be opened pronto.
The ID 'rules' are what the decision-makers tell the counter-staff or the machines to apply. They can 'modify' them whenever they want - if it is is their interest to do so.
The PR staff (if they are worthy of the name) should know the danger of bad publicity!