Santander Basic Bank Account

LOMBOK · #1 10-31-2015

Just a heads up guys!

My wife has just been into Santander to open a basic bank account and was turned away as she already has an everyday current account. She was told she cannot open one because of this.

Maybe the worker there got it wrong, I don't know. Could be they are tightening things up? I will go in to try next week though. From my own personal experience of dealing with the staff in this particular branch, they are always trying to push other stuff onto you and upgrade your account. Always excellent service at Natwest, TSB and Nationwide. COOP is ok, along with RBS. Never had to deal with anyone in Halifax yet. Barclays = crap! Scottish banks are pretty good and need to try NI next.

wired · #2 10-31-2015

Opened three this morning with Santander.

Might just be the staff.

Ebayorbust · #3 10-31-2015

These kinds of issues are very much branch & customer specific. They make no money out of basic accounts which is why some banks are not as keen others to open them for you.

LOMBOK · #4 10-31-2015

We have 2 of their branches in town so I will check out the other one.

I agree it is branch specific. When I went to open a Barclays basic they wanted to conduct a financial interview. I told them I have no savings, mortgage or life insurance and I would fail the credit check and need this account to have my benefits paid into. She went and saw the manager and came back and said it had to be done as this was the law from the government! I took my docs and left.