Ulster Bank - Refused to open account

I dont know if this should be under the Banking topics, but I am absolutely fuming, so here goes.

My sister lives with her partner and they are not married but have a lovely two year old girl. About two weeks ago she got a letter addressed to herself from Ulster Bank about opening a savings account for the baby. She thought it was a great idea for the future so went down to the branch in Clondalkin with what was requested in the letter (ie, her passport, a utility bill(in the name of her and her partner) and the babys passport and €25 to open the account.

The cashier refused to open the account for her as her and the baby's surname were not the same. He said to her "I dont think I can do this. Your name is not the same as Katies". She said she was made to feel two inches tall and the more she thought about it at home, the more upset she became.

Probably to humour her, her partner took two hours off work and went down and left in his ID(same surname as baby)
Two weeks later, having heard nothing she called back in only to find her partners ID had not been matched to her earlier application which was still in the awaiting ID box. The original cashier was on holidays but she told a different girl what had happend previously. She said "He never said that, did he?" and proceeded to open the account, but still said she would need to locate the father's ID.

When she told me what had happened I was absolutely fuming. Who should she complain to. Has anybody else come across anything like this. Surely in this day and age, it is accepted that all couples might not be married before the patter of tiny feet come along. What if she was a single mother and not living with the father. Would that mean that she could not have had an account for the baby. Surely this is discrimination?

My sister had brought all the relevent ID requested by Ulster Bank to open the account. The utility bill she brought was in the name of her and her partner. Furthermore, the Ulster Bank letter had stated that grandparents, etc, could open the account on behalf of the child, so these would obviously not have the same surname.

I would appreciate any comments either way.

Thanks.

OxO

I'd suggest a firm letter to the branch manager by registered post seeking an explanation of their policy...

Maybe it's something about that branch. Around the time AIB introduced charges I started shopping around and despite a good credit history, salary and employment record this UB told me I'd have to be recommended by an existing customer before they'd consider opening an a/c for me.

Needless to say I went to a more accomodating bank.

The issue here surrounds the interpretation of what is and what is not 'required' to open an account.

For picture identification..a passport is suggested but is not at all obligatory; similarly for address a utility bill is suggested but is not at all obligatory.

Ulster seem to have a problem in that their parent - RBS - have had problems in the UK. Therefore it is the 'compliance' folk in Ulster who should be tackled.

First : Get the Money Laundering guidelines from IFSRA website;
Two: make sure of all facts;
Three: Then and only then tackle Ulster.
Four: Tell them that if you dont get satisfaction you will send all details to IFSRA.
Five: IFSRA are so desperate to 'nail' Banks that no compliant is too small!

account openning

Contact the Equality Authority, you cannot be discriminated agaisnt on the basis of family status

Re: account openning

Hi OxO

Did she have the baby's birth cert with her? That would have shown the mother's full name and the father's name, explaining why katie's name is different to your sister's. This is just another example of the Money Laundering Law gone mad. If you want to open a second account at a bank/credit union where you have been known for years, you have to produce photo ID, utility bill etc. Crazy! Also, as your sister found, it depends who you get on the day.

Slim 8)

Re: account openning

IFSRA are so desperate to 'nail' Banks that no compliant is too small!

Click to expand...

Not strictly true. As one of the other Mods on here will tell you, IFSRA aren't as welcoming of complaints about Banks as you might think.

In some cases they'll go so far as to fob off the complaint. You have to be persistent.

Of course ifyou do finally convince them that the complaint has merit, they are then liable to turn around and claim that they pursued the Bank on their own initiative.



-Rd

Re: account openning

As one of the other Mods on here will tell you, IFSRA aren't as welcoming of complaints about Banks as you might think.

In my experience IFSRA are prone to quoting legalese (e.g. tracts of the Consumer Credit Act etc.) and fobbing punters off initially unless they persist. For example, when, some months ago, I drew IFSRA's attention to the fact that PermanentTSB were incorrectly claiming in their radio, web and print advertising that they offered the best demand deposit rate on sums of €5,000+ (in spite of the fact that Northern Rock offered an even higher rate) they initially dismissed my complaint a couple of times and only by persisting did I eventually see to it that they got onto PermanentTSB and had the misleading advertising campaign pulled. In another case I complained about newspaper advertising placed by somebody who was not regulated by IFSRA or the (UK) FSA to offer investment/banking services only to be told by IFSRA that their investigations could only be done in confidence and that they could not apprise me of the results or progress... :\

Re: account opening

If you want to open a second account at a bank/credit union where you have been known for years, you have to produce photo ID, utility bill etc. Crazy!

Click to expand...

Tell me about it. I'm with my bank for many years. Got a mortgage from the same bank for new house & their guy 'valued' the new house. Changed account details/direct debits/salary payments to new address etc.

They sent a letter to my new address basically saying, 'we don't know where you live etc etc. Please come in with ID etc.' Should have run off to Brazil with the mortgage money...

My favourite 'urban myth' is trying to buy Prize Bonds for your favourite neice/nephew. Want to buy them an Xmas prezzie - just bring their passport. Surprise, Surprise, Happy Xmas!!

Sluice