The True Test (Natwest Bank)

Member Name: trixiemagic

Product:	Natwest Bank
Date:	27/05/02 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: none, none, none

Disadvantages: Just , About, Everything

Well it's not when you are in credit!

My partner experienced some financial difficulties last year. She is a teacher and did not have work over the summer (supply teacher at the time) but did have a permanent job beginning in September. Nat West were very helpful, converting her existing almost 0% interest overdraft into a nice loan with plenty of interest. This left her a new £500 overdraft to last July, August and September (month in hand).

Obviously I was paying for almost all outgoings during these months the 1st mortgage payment alone would have wiped out her money, but in the end she managed to go overdrawn by £5, not bad considering £200 was taken for the loan payment, humm.

The letter received was very helpful explaining how my partner has shown continued disregard for her finances by spending money she did not have. (£5 over)

The next letter informed that her cards and chequebooks were to be taken away and she should take them to her branch. (Or they would send someone to collect them( £5 over). She went in talk to them, but it was no use, cards and chequebook were taken the reason given was because no money had been paid in for 3 months. , Oh? and she was paid the following day.

A few months later I was rejected for a company credit card! I earn a very decent wage and never go overdrawn. When I looked into why, I discovered that Nat West had listed my address for bad credit. The cheek I don't bank with them and never ever will, we are also talking about £5.

It boils down to a company where staff are not empowered to make decisions based on customer circumstances, my partner happened to meet some criteria, i.e. overdrawn and no payment for 3 months so on their computer system she was bad news, the fact she was to be paid the next day just did not matter. I hate that bank and would never bank with them.

I will stick with HSBC, though do doubt someone has a bad story about th
em too.

Summary: