Bank charges slashed by Metro Bank

[sillygirl1]

I'm going to be checking this out, the Southampton Row branch is a short bus ride from work, I will go up there today and see what I need to open an account - I haven't found if they do any credit scoring - one would assume so...

[sillygirl1]

No problem, can do that quite easily, how about making it a sticky?

 

I will then record what they say when I go up there at lunchtime, what you need to open an account and how long it takes to get the card etc.... it seems they will have a branch in my home town (Sutton) at some point next year so seems ideal for me.

[sillygirl1]

I went there at lunchtime today and asked what you needed to join, they said passport and bank statement (I will take council tax bill along too when I go back tomorrow) and there was an hour to wait to be seen.. they give out some bleeping device so you can go locally and see when it is time to go back... I will go up tomorrow evening if it isn't busy rather than lunchtime.

 

They do credit check you but I believe it is more for security than anything else... I will report back tomorrow....

[sillygirl1]

I couldn't have a worse record, a repossession 3 1/2 years ago, a couple of very suspect defaults, I haven't checked it in ages....

 

I'll report back tomorrow - hopefully it will be positive....

[sillygirl1]

I did inform them of a possible lousy credit rating and they do a basic card account - so I signed up for that this lunchtime.

 

Went into the branch, met by a very nice girl who started taking details and there was a very nice guy available to sign me up. It took a little bit longer than anticipated as their card printing machine got the hump just before it printed out my card, but the very very nice bank man gave me an additional £10 on my account (without being asked) and an additional free gift (large coolbag). I already got a fleece blanket as I had transferred some money into the new account. I also have a Metro tote bag, some pens and a few lollipops.

 

If the friendliness of the staff (not 'professional' just normal friendly) is anything to go by this bank should have few problems with customers.

 

Getting your customer service right throughout the business is a good start, as is getting your back of house systems in place.

 

I will let you know if anything transpires as I am running the account.

 

With this basic account you can have money paid in, get money out via a cashcard, which you can also use in shops where Mastercard is displayed, and you can use it online where Mastercard is displayed. You don't seem to have direct debits (YAY) on the account but that isn't an issue with me, I only have one direct debit and that is soon being disposed of... you can't use the basic card abroad (yet).

 

As a backup account this could prove very useful.

 

They don't credit check you at all for this account, just need a passport and a bank statement or utility bill. For the other accounts you get credit checked and need passport, bank statement and utility bills.

[sillygirl1]

Paid my first online bill with the bank yesterday, to 02, all you do is state it is a Mastercard and give them the details and the money goes through - no prolems on this one.

 

Quite a useful 'parachute' account I think.

[sillygirl1]

Had to go to the branch on Tuesday as I had forgotten my online logon details... they were incredibly helpful, they have a person who greets you and sees what you need and makes sure you get the right person FIRST, unlike NatWest where you ask the greeting person and they say "Have you gone to telephone banking, or telephone banking deal with that...."

 

Very impressed so far, long may this continue.