From: "Big Brian" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance uk.legal
Subject: Re: The lunacy of UK banks
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 20:38:24 GMT


"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message 
news:If3Re.99341$G8.71614@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>
>  wrote in message 
> news:w%1Re.36475$5m3.10861@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
>> UK banks have some sort of lunacy.
>>
>> A day ago a friend of mine went to try and open an account for his
>> newly-wed wife.
>>
>> They were turned down as she did not have a utility bill showing
>> a UK address, despite his having an account at Barclay (yes, I do
>> mention the bank concerned).
>>
>> Which is quite bizarre. So much for the EU or cross-border
>> relationships.
>>
>> I have opened bank accounts (or have had them opened for me) in
>> Holland, Spain, Finland, and America without needing to prove an
>> address.
>>
>> The first bank account I had in Holland was quite happy to accept
>> a UK address from the first moment it was opened.
>>
>
> I wanted to open a savings account with my bank (with for twenty years) 
> They wrote to me and asked for umpteen proofs of who I am (at the address 
> I have been at for twenty plus years)  Obviously they know who I am, as 
> they have an account of mine, so why the need for proof for an extra 
> account.  I can fully understand asking someone who just walked in off the 
> street for ID proof, but not an old customer.
>
> mrcheerful
>

I just cant get my head around it

Asked for an account for my business. Fille din all the forms and offered an 
account with £5000 overdraft , chequebook and card. Also offered a visa 
card. Asked if I could have same account with no overdraft and no credit 
card and no cheque book. Was told within minutes that I failed a credit 
check for that account. I could still have the £5000 OD and chequebook 
though.

So I am now using my current account and paying in personal cheques (50+) a 
week and now they are moaning saying I am using it for business use. Where 
in effect , being self employed , these cheques are my wages.

Bloddy banks.