Do you need a parachute account?

[bevcarlyle]

I dont intend to have any bank charges ever again as I now have some savings and will endeavour to make sure that my account always has excess funds in it.

 

however, if I do incur any charges that are unlawful then I shall definatly take steps to recover them.

 

At least I will know in future that if I see a charge, I can dispute it immediatly and have the weight of the law behind me.

When I was opening the account the lady didnt give me the leaflet with charges on and she said when questioned, that the bank were holding out for the oft ruling in may next year. I dont know if she was frightened of handing out these leaflets now or if she personally knew something that she wasnt saying ie clydesdale were going to stop charging these fees or something.

 

I just wanted the account as I needed a safety net in case RBOS closed mine (which they did)

[craigamc]

I dont live in an area where clydesdale exist, can I still open an account?

 

Does anyone know the answer to this?

[Giveitback]

try online? Don't know I'm afraid.

 

I didn't enjoy my own experiences with them, but that was back in the day of them only opening 10-4 Mon to friday, and paying 0.01% interest.

 

Best of luck.

[Steven1964]

Phoned up the Co-op last Friday, my account is now open, just got an electron card and pay in book, but it does let me set up DD and SO. If my account is run with no problems, after 6 months can upgrade if I wish. I almost opened up a Natwest account, stiil have the forms to sign, but as I have been having problems with the RBofS and they are the same bank I want nothing to do with them.

[clint1974]

Is that HSBC listing correct? £0 for unpaid direct debits? I notice a few have opted for Nat West but not sure might try HSBC if thats correct!

[barracad]

Yes but you can't have a debit card, chequebook, etc.

[stephen81]

If banks are penalising people for reclaiming what is rightly their's by closing bank accounts, which clearly has the potential to cause problems for people as they may be unable to get debit cards, overdrafts etc on basic bank accounts, would it be worth putting together something we can add to any settlement terms to prevent the bank from closing our accounts?

Something like....

 

I also require a written guarantee that my bank account will not be closed by yourselves and that you will not withdraw the facilities (overdraft, debit card etc) I currently have available with my bank account as long as I continue to manage my account in line with your terms and conditions.

 

That could probably be worded a lot better, and if people think it would work and be worth it, I'd appreciate any amendments people want to make. It needs to be worded so that they can't go back on it on a technicality as well.

[MARTIN3030]

Read about the banking codes and what they had to say about this back in July.

 

http://www.bankingcode.org.uk/bulletins/Bulletin%2021%2027%20Jul%2006%20PDF%20FINAL.pdf

[JonCris]

Don't mention their terms & conditions. In fact dont mention anything about managing your account.

 

You are in affect agreeing again but in the full knowledge that they are unlawful this time to pay their charges.

 

Just add something along the lines of

 

As you will be aware the FSA is making enquiries into the banks retaliatory actions against those consumers successful in reclaiming unlawful bank charges, Therefore should you retaliate in such a manner I will have no alternative but to report you to the FSA. Furthermore I will seek to recover any further losses/damages which may occur as a result of such actions by the bank

[JonCris]

Read about the banking codes and what they had to say about this back in July.

 

http://www.bankingcode.org.uk/bulletins/Bulletin%2021%2027%20Jul%2006%20PDF%20FINAL.pdf

 

Yup It's OK if you 1st tell the customer your going to close their account if they ask for their money back.

 

You couldn't make it up could you

[stephen81]

OK thanks. I just put the bit in about managing my account in line with their T & Cs as I can't imagine them agreeing unconditionally to waive any right to close the accounts.

[JonCris]

You aren't clear but I assume your taking out any mention of you managing your account. If not do so

[stephen81]

You aren't clear but I assume your taking out any mention of you managing your account. If not do so

 

Yes, I won't put any mention of managing my account. I'm not sending my LBA til 27/09/06 anyway, but I won't put in the bit about managing my account.

[sarahpp]

I have read a few comments on this thread about upgrading accounts after six months if no bounced DDs etc.

 

Just thought I would add a caveat to that because of my own experience with Halifax. After well over 6 months of running the account perfectly I phoned to try to get my account upgraded. What I didn't realise was that they still credit checked me with the CRAs and then refused me saying that effectively giving me a chequebook and guarantee card was giving me £3k credit. I explained that I didn't want a chequebook or overdraft just a debit card I could actually use in more places on-line ( like my Tesco shopping for example). It made no difference and now I have another search on my records. I wasn't even aware before they wrote to me that they were going to do a search because previously they had only stiplulated that the account had to be well managed for 6 months.

 

Just thought I would mention to stop anyone falling into the same trap I did.

[JonCris]

They should have advised you that they where going to undertake a search (no matter what they or their T&C's state). They acted without your authorisation & you can demand of both the Halifax & the CRA that the search be removed, but then it is the Halifax who have absolutley no scruples whatsoever being one of the worst when trying to recover charges

[MARTIN3030]

Its normal for them to do credit checks if you are applying for extra services.

Once they have given them to you tho .....they dont take them away if you are managing your account ok.

For example if you already have a cheque book and debit card and then get adverse info on your credit files.......then apply for an overdraft they wont take them off you although they are likely to refuse your overdraft.

[sarahpp]

I know, I am going to take up this issue with them when they pay me back every penny they owe me. I think they rely on the embarrassment of a "no" shutting people up. I just wonder if this is only the Halifax. I certainly will not be so naive in the future.

[MARTIN3030]

If you go into the bank personally they usually take your application and make you wait while they do the credit checks ........I suppose this has been brought about by consumers who now expect instant decisions on the spot.

[sarahpp]

Martin 3030

 

Thanks for the info.

 

I wasn't applying for extra services though. I explicitly told them in the beginning that I didn't want an overdraft or a cheque guarantee card. Just a debit card that was actually useful!!

 

Halifax actually changed from Solo to Visa Electron for it's cardcash accounts. I could use the Solo card to pay for my on-line shopping ( I wasn't always able to get out to the shops because of ill health) but Tesco won't accept Visa Electron payments which is another issue and another complaint which I won't bore everyone with on this thread.

 

Just saying that if anyone feels that they want to upgrade after 6 months "clean record" it may be worth asking if this will involve a search.

[MARTIN3030]

Strange that........I use my visa electron in my Tesco all the time !

[sarahpp]

Martin 3030

 

Yes - they will take it in-store but, not on line. I complained about this a year ago. They fobbed me off to begin with saying "the customer must be present". I asked why Sainsburys, Waitrose and Amazon for example didn't need the customer to be present. They then told me that they were "Working with the banks" on the issue. Anyway ... moan over... don't want to hijack someone else's thread.

[MARTIN3030]

Sarah I see what you mean.......Moneyclaim will not take Visa Electrom but WILL take Solo.

 

You were not really hi-jacking as this thread is concerned with parachute accounts....your comments about the limitations of the cards is advisory and a consideration when opting for choice.

[sarahpp]

Thanks Martin

 

I only got the "undertaking" from Tescos that they would try to work with the banks when I mentioned that I felt that there may be an element of discrimination i.e. their perception that cardholders may not "fit" their socio economic target group.

 

Think it may be time to try again with this one whilst I am in combative mode!!!!

[MARTIN3030]

Ha Ha..........I like it;)

[sally18]

Yep I have opened a N/W step acc too, one joint and one solo acct. Dead easy and got a solo card ( equivalent to my lloyds electron card). Theey have said that with 6 months of good acct maintenance they will "almost certainly" upgrade to cheque book and a "proper" debit card. So now all I have to do is keep on track with my money and make sure there is no charges!

I do have a flex acct as well but as mentioned before only a cash card. These guys dont like to upgrade either- I pay my wages in and only the mortage goes out so there is always a credit balance, never had an item returned in 18 months but they wont upgrade me???? - ok if you cant get anything better I suppose

 

On the subjest of Tesco - you can use your electron in store and at their self scan tills but not to shop on line. That may be where the confusion has arisen