Banks...

Ashton · Nov 2, 2010

I am with Halifax, and I am very pissed off with them.

I tried to send a transaction (just under £1000) and they froze my account. My initial reaction was that of surprise (its not that big an amount) but I did understand why they were doing it.
I then went into the nearest branch with my passport. They said that this wasn't enough proof of identity and I needed to come back with 2 forms of ID. I came back the next day to be told that what she told me was wrong, and that they couldn't unlock my account there, and I would have to request a phone call.
I get home and request the phone call, enter in a security pin and they unlock my bank. Excellent! I then head online to send the money that I meant to send originally which is now a few days overdue. I get locked out... again.

I am very pissed off. I do a lot of trading online, through various means. I need that online account and I do not want to wait 3 days for it. Just because my transactions are typically of a small but regular amount, doesn't mean that they should freeze it as soon as a slightly larger amount goes out.... Then freeze it again.

I do know this is for my own security, but this is just too much, I have gone in with photographic ID twice, I have answered all the security questions several times now. I have even had my account unlocked, to be locked again.

So, the question is: What bank account would you recommend and why?

Blossom · Nov 2, 2010

Sorry I can't offer any suggestions, only sympathise...banks are all horrible, and usually just as bad as each other.

My first port of call for these things would be moneysavingexpert.com...unless you try to escalate the issue with Halifax. I know my region has a massive customer service pledge/satisfaction quota at the moment & if you cause a fuss they're falling over themselves to try and sort the problem out.

Nigel · Nov 2, 2010

Sounds like you've had a very poor experience. We use Lloyds and their online banking has been good. They've just written to advise that they are introducing a little gadget to make online banking safer so we'll have to wait and see whether that affects things. Mind you Halifax are now part of Lloyds and I think they'll be integrating a lot of their procedures over the next few years so things might improve for you.

retired_member21 · Nov 2, 2010

I use Lloyds too - personal & business and no probs whatsoever really

monaghan · Nov 2, 2010

I presume the Halifax account is a personal account rather than a business one? Why not get a business account for your trading activities? There are a number of free to run business accounts available - Abbey Business has on-line capability and no running costs.

ratboy · Nov 2, 2010

I'm with Abbey/Santander they are *fine* - IMO all banks balls up at some point. You also need to weigh up- the hassle of opening/transfering to a new one which can set you back months, accounting hassles etc.

Ashton · Nov 2, 2010

Thanks guys, and yeah it's personal. I will look into a business account.

ratboy said:
I'm with Abbey/Santander they are *fine* - IMO all banks balls up at some point. You also need to weigh up- the hassle of opening/transfering to a new one which can set you back months, accounting hassles etc.

I do understand the hassle, however this is the 2nd balls up by halifax. A few months ago I went overdraft by 56p because a check for £3k hadn't quite cleared and they charged me £100 for it.

Now is actually a good time for me to change as any. My passport is about to expire, and I plan on signing a statutory declaration and changing my name.

Oh and as for accounting, I am actually pretty set (just had to prove my entire earnings for the tax year 2009 - 2010 + Upto now so I am all up to date at the moment)

cm1975 · Nov 2, 2010

monaghan said:
I presume the Halifax account is a personal account rather than a business one?

That's what I was wondering. If personal and it looks like it's being used for business, then banks will be a little annoyed.

peter_w · Nov 2, 2010

ratboy said:
I'm with Abbey/Santander they are *fine* - IMO all banks balls up at some point. You also need to weigh up- the hassle of opening/transfering to a new one which can set you back months, accounting hassles etc.

I'm having all sorts of bother accepting a payment from a bank outside the UK at the moment with Santander. They don't seem to want to help in anyway and it's frustrating.

Never had any bother before this, though.

Ashton · Nov 2, 2010

cm1975 said:
That's what I was wondering. If personal and it looks like it's being used for business, then banks will be a little annoyed.

I work as a freelance designer, they know the situation with the account and are perfectly happy to accept regular around £1000 payments. Only when I send similar amounts of money out... this happens.

I think I might switch to lloyds, they have a bank in my village so I wont have to go all the way into town to get to halifax should they balls up again!