Opening A Bank Account

[jennyjoan]

I decided to open a bank account with the bank right next to where I live. However since it is a long time since I opened one - I couldn't believe the parapheranalia that was involved.

The lad was only doing his job but I told him after about one hour and 10 minutes of ID, ID number, type this number on but don't use that number and gave me like a tiny card with lots of 6 digits.

I told him that no reflection on him but for anybody trying to join that bank - going through that would have been mayhem for many older people.

I had to actually type a 4 digit number that I had to make up quickly in my head (on his computer) and something else I had to type. What about people who literally do not have keyboard skills or anything like that. Unbelievable. I did tell him to convey my annoyance at this at his schedules/meetings etc. Sorry I joined to be honest or is this the norm.

[EDDIE51]

My first bank account was in 1968. Computers then were huge machines that needed their own dedicated power supply. I don't think my bank even had one. If you wanted to cash a cheque at another branch of the same bank (Barclays in my case) you had to have an 'arrangement' or pay a fee for them to phone and check with your home bank .I had an 'arrangement' with the bank near my work place,which was 20 miles from home.

[Jackdaw33]

I remember the old 'arrangement' system. I had one as cheque cards were then in their infancy. I opened my account in 1970 when I was in the RAF. All I needed was a letter from my flight commander to say I was a fit and proper person to operate a bank account. I got my first cheque card in 1972 when I went to university. I don't remember ATMs being around then, you had to queue up in the bank to cash a cheque.

[russell007]

I already have a business. I outsourced my Payroll and other accounting related works to finacc direct company. it is very easy for me and they control my works very fine.

[fiction-factory]

Good to hear, russell- but maybe you are on the wrong thread

[emmie]

i might need to pay someone some money, is it difficult to do a money transfer between accounts.

[jennyjoan]

no emmie it is not - but since it would be new - you need to be very careful in getting the two accounts mentioned - study them closely and then you just drop the money into the account - the other person gets it within seconds. That's how I sent my Xpresents to my nieces and nephews in Scotland.

[fiction-factory]

I do it quite often. If it's the first time I'm paying someone I always send a nominal amount like £2 first and ask them to confirm they have received it just to check I hadn't mistyped the account number/sortcode. SOme banks will doa quick check when you set up a new payee- maybe text you and ask you to enter an authorisation code

[jennyjoan]

guilbert - AND I DID NOT NEED TO VISIT THE BANK ONCE. I DID IT ALL ONLINE.


How were you able to provide photo identification etc.

[fiction-factory]

I have opened my last few bank accounts online, jenny- I didn't need to go in to the branch. They can usually check your ID from an existing bank account if you have one. I don't recall even having to send any proof of address letters (eg council tax bill)

[jennyjoan]

what about photo ID

[jennyjoan]

by the way - I did receive a letter from the bank in question sorta apologising for the way it was dealt with but stressing it was the norm


Well the account is opened and I didn't have to put a penny in and I won't - if I get any joy from online accounts. well after I pay for my teef LOL

[fiction-factory]

I have never had to provide photo ID to opnen an account- with online banking my password etc is my ID not my face, and on the few occasions I venture into a branch my card (+ pin) is my ID

[ummmm]

My son has just opened a student bank account. He just went in with the normal info (proof of address, his wage slips, student loan info, passport) and a few days later he received a parcel in the post. It was a box of goodies from the bank. Student goodies.

[fiction-factory]

Yes, a first bank account will need proof of ID and probably passport, but once you've been in the system teh banks normally have access to enough info- maybe credit score files- that they don't need to keep seeing it, unless you move house then they may want proof of the new address, or change name when proof may also be needed.

[jennyjoan]

ummmm - your son still needed provide photo ID (passport)

[ummmm]

He's already got a bank account. He had a year off from finishing his A levels and starting uni but worked full time in between. I'm guessing they do deals on student accounts so want a little more proof.

[ummmm]

JJ - That's the only ID he has.

[jennyjoan]

I understand that re the photo ID but in previous posts - some posters are saying they were able to open the accounts without photo ID - not a big deal but if I had to prove photo ID like online - I wouldn't have a clue as don't have these fancy phones. etc.