Why won't bank let me have a debit card?

Vikktor

I have tried twice to upgrade from Flexaccount with cash card to Flexaccount with debit card and both times I was rejected, because my credit scoring wasnt high enough. Strange as I have never had credit problems in my life, I earn 28K, I have lived in the same address for more than 3 years, I have accounts with debit cards with Natwest and Smile, plus a couple of ISA savings accounts/trackers. I appealed the decision stating all this and I never received a reply. I rang them a few weeks later and they notified me my appeal was unsuccessful and said they would post me a letter to confirm in writing: predicatbly I never received any letter.

The last time I was told over the phone I needed to use the account more, ie pay my salary into it etc. But I wasnt willing to pay my salary into it if I dont have a debit card or cheque book. The only other reason I can think of, which they will never admit to, is that its because im not a UK national, im Italian (living in UK 6 years). I wonder if any other EU nationals have had simillar experiences.

It is a real pity as the Nationwide account is by far the best out there for people who travel a lot like me.

grumbler

Vikktor wrote:

...Strange as I have never had credit problems in my life,

Have you had any credit in UK?

I earn 28K, I have lived in the same address for more than 3 years,

Are you registered on the electoral roll?

I have accounts with debit cards with Natwest and Smile,

I don't know about Natwest, but my Smile account is not reported to either Experian or Equifax.

plus a couple of ISA savings accounts/trackers.

These accounts don't make any difference unless they are with Nationwide.

Have you seen your credit files? If they are empty, this could explain everything.

The only other reason I can think of, which they will never admit to, is that its because im not a UK national, im Italian (living in UK 6 years). I wonder if any other EU nationals have had simillar experiences.

Maybe things changed since then, but I know a person from Russia (this is worse than EU) who opened account with a debit card 6 years ago - just 1 year after coming to UK and having only one current account with Barclays before.

It is a real pity as the Nationwide account is by far the best out there for people who travel a lot like me.

I understand that debit card is more convenient, but do you know that their cash card is as good for withdrawals abroad as their debit card?

Vikktor

grumbler wrote:

Have you had any credit in UK? Are you registered on the electoral roll? I don't know about Natwest, but my Smile account is not reported to either Experian or Equifax. These accounts don't make any difference unless they are with Nationwide.

Have you seen your credit files? If they are empty, this could explain everything.Maybe things changed since then, but I know a person from Russia (this is worse than EU) who opened account with a debit card 6 years ago - just 1 year after coming to UK and having only one current account with Barclays before.I understand that debit card is more convenient, but do you know that their cash card is as good for withdrawals abroad as their debit card?

I have had credit cards and a 4K loan which was fully repaid years ago. Never defaulted on any payments, fully paid-off student overdfrats etc. I am registered on the electoral roll, I have chequed my Expriean file a year ago and it was accurate. Actually, I already know the cash card is as good as the debit card for getting cash abroad, I just want to make my life easier and ditch my Natwest account and have a single account with Nationwide for everything I do, but alas I cannot live wiithout a debit card and chequebook.

One thing that makes me wonder is that in my experian file I am financially linked to my wife (she is the second card holder for my conran credit card as well as sharing a joint natwest account with me). She is Chinese national with limited credit history, but would that affect my credit score?

grumbler

Being a second cardholder doesn't create financial association, although a joint current account does. If her credit files don't contain anything bad, I don't think this could create a problem.

It was mentioned many times here that it is usually easier to apply for another (second) account with Nationwide and get accpted, than to apgrade the account you already have with them.