Nine UK banks launch fee-free accounts

[LOMBOK]

I am happy to report that the new Santander basic bank account works well. I have opened and verified two new PP accounts, one using the top-up debit card account number and the other using the basic bank account number.

So, open one account and it gives you two account numbers and they can both be used.

[ohocomer]

so all you needed was ID document?

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by ohocomer

so all you needed was ID document?

I didn't as I already had an account with them. No docs needed to open online for me, but if you don't have an account with them, you will have to provide photo ID and proof of address.

[London1234]

METROBANK Basic Bank Account as well

[Haidukken]

nothing up love, keep up the good work <3

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by London1234

METROBANK Basic Bank Account as well

I looked into them before but my nearest branch is 100 miles away so needs to be a special trip.

[realdeals]

One slightly curious thing for me is after opening a BoS basic and getting a card and pin, next time I log onto Halifax online I find the details of my BoS listed there with all my Halifax accounts?

Is this standard with all banks in the group?

Makes me wonder whether I will still be able to go ahead with my plan of opening 5 BoS savers as I am already maxed out on Halifax.

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by realdeals

One slightly curious thing for me is after opening a BoS basic and getting a card and pin, next time I log onto Halifax online I find the details of my BoS listed there with all my Halifax accounts?

Is this standard with all banks in the group?

Makes me wonder whether I will still be able to go ahead with my plan of opening 5 BoS savers as I am already maxed out on Halifax.

My online banking with Halifax shows the BOS basic account and the 2 savers I have with them too along with my Halifax current account, basic account and savers. So far it's ok.

[realdeals]

Originally Posted by LOMBOK

My online banking with Halifax shows the BOS basic account and the 2 savers I have with them too along with my Halifax current account, basic account and savers. So far it's ok.

How many Halifax online savers do you have though?

I have 5 and really don't want to go over that limit, as it seems to be the 'max' from the general consencus.

Are you concluding that even though BoS accounts, in particular savers, are showing on Halifax online banking they do not contribute to the Halifax limit?

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by realdeals

How many Halifax online savers do you have though?

I have 5 and really don't want to go over that limit, as it seems to be the 'max' from the general consencus.

Are you concluding that even though BoS accounts, in particular savers, are showing on Halifax online banking they do not contribute to the Halifax limit?

Good point raised.

I have looked back and I have only ever had a total of 5 savers active at any one time. Right now, I only have 2 each of Halifax and BOS. I have 1 BOS basic, 1 Halifax basic and 1 Halifax full current account too.

[realdeals]

Guess we need some further input from those who have more than 5 savers combined Halifax and BoS then

[vetus]

It doesn't contribute. Regardless of the fact that the banks are part of the same group and they do show on the online banking, you can still have 3-5 savers + 3-5 basic accounts at each bank. Personally, even though I haven't been around for a while I have still run it as the same with 6 on each when I have used Halifax and BoS.

Never an issue

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by realdeals

Guess we need some further input from those who have more than 5 savers combined Halifax and BoS then

Issue with savers is if paypal kicks them.

Means paypal has sniffed around without need.

Basic accounts are preferqble.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by LOMBOK

I didn't as I already had an account with them. No docs needed to open online for me, but if you don't have an account with them, you will have to provide photo ID and proof of address.

But when you opened it, you went in branch right?

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by rsot

But when you opened it, you went in branch right?

Originally, no.

It's a long story but I had just split up with my, now, ex-wife and needed an account quickly to get my wages paid into. My passport was at my mothers house 120 miles away and I had no car, no money, nothing! I used a phone box to call her and she and my sister went to what was then, Abbey National (now Santander) as they had accounts there and explained the situation to them. They offered a basic account and it was opened. This was maybe 17 years ago though. Over the years I had opened a savings account and ISA's etc with them. I closed the old basic account as it had no debit card with it.

So, when I applied to open this new basic account online, they had a record of me so did not need supply anything to them. My online banking with them shows my savings account and ISA's even though I did not enter their details on applying.

These days, you usually have to go into the branch with your ID and address proof to open an account if you are not a customer. Or in some cases, you can apply through the post but you need to send a certified copy of your ID. I had a passport copy certified by a solicitor to send to Ulster Bank. They photocopied it, added their stamp and signed it. Only cost me £5 though. I had my utility bill done too as a precaution.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by LOMBOK

I didn't as I already had an account with them. No docs needed to open online for me, but if you don't have an account with them, you will have to provide photo ID and proof of address.

Generally speaking photo ID and POA are only needed if their electronic ID checks fail.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by LOMBOK

I had a passport copy certified by a solicitor to send to Ulster Bank. They photocopied it, added their stamp and signed it. Only cost me £5 though. I had my utility bill done too as a precaution.

£5 is good for a Solicitor. You can also get documents certified at participating UK post offices;

Document Certification Service | Post Office

Fee is £8.75, so your lawyer was cheaper than the Post Office!

[realdeals]

So just opened a online saver with BoS and after I notice it says I can have only have a max of 1 online saver with them. This kind of surprised me as I know how easy it is to get many at Halifax.

Should I put this down to fact that it is a brand new account, and expect them to offer me more in months to come? Or is it set in stone?

Also it is worth noting that despite all the info Santander give you about having to send in I.D etc, I was able to open online without ever having to send any or go in branch. Didn't expect it as easy since I have never had a product with them. BoS also just let me set up online without sending I.D though not so surprised since I have multiple halifax accounts.

[JamesNorth101]

Generally if you are on the electoral role and have good history at your current address banks these days don't ask for many documents.

[Arkham_Joker]

Originally Posted by ohocomer

so all you needed was ID document?

i opened a santander account fine and have never banked with them nor had to show any kind of ID, same for my girlfriend too.

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

£5 is good for a Solicitor. You can also get documents certified at participating UK post offices;

Document Certification Service | Post Office

Fee is £8.75, so your lawyer was cheaper than the Post Office!

I just walked in and asked if they could do it and how much and the girl said £5 and she phoned through to check if someone was available to sign it, which there was.

She copied the passport and the guy appeared, looked at my passport and the copies, stamped and signed them and gave them back to the girl. I paid her a tenner for two copies, She gave me a receipt and even put them in an envelope!

[LOMBOK]

Originally Posted by Mojosky

i opened a santander account fine and have never banked with them nor had to show any kind of ID, same for my girlfriend too.

Were these basic accounts?