Officer Cadet Training and Student Bank Accounts

[All At Sea]

Hi all, a quick question for those in the know:

Today I went down to my local branch to see about converting my standard current account into a student account thinking that the overdraft would come in handy for any unexpected expenses I may incur during my course. The bank manager told me that this would not be possible as Warsash Maritime Academy is not on their list of eligible institutions. I did of course point out to them that it is a department of the Southampton Solent University (which was on the list) but they refused to budge. I just thought I'd ask if anyone else has had this problem because I used to work in this bank's account opening team and I strongly suspect I was being told a load of nonsense. I'm on the FD deck course if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance.

[Midge]

Normally as I'm sure you know the confirmation letter from the college to advise you have a place on the course should be sufficient. Perhaps a trip to the admin office and see if they can give you something with Solent on it or ask if they've had the problem before? Failing that change bank, there is the new transfer scheme which is supposed to be quick and simple !

[All At Sea]

Thanks for the quick reply Midge. I took my course confirmation letter (which states that the course is provided by Southampton Solent) down to the branch and still no luck. Personally I think they read as far as the words 'merchant navy' and assumed its like the Royal Navy where you are a paid employee training at a company ran establishment for qualifications they issue themselves (in which case they would be correct) rather than a sponsored full-time student training at a specialised campus of a university for a higher level national framework qualification provided by that university.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Try a different branch? You shouldn't have any trouble getting a student account. Say you're at Solent first next time though

[All At Sea]

That's my next plan, I just wanted to make sure that MN cadets do qualify for a student account first. If they do then I intend to keep pushing.

[Midge]

That's my next plan, I just wanted to make sure that MN cadets do qualify for a student account first. If they do then I intend to keep pushing.

Reason for quick reply is HSBC has just told my sons that as we don't live in the island where their accounts are they have 60 days to close them and open them here. So I have spent a while argueing that as one is away he can't just pop to the branch here, but as it holds a copy of his passport and Ucas letter could I take it in? As I'm not the account holder they can't speak to me tell me why or give any info. Trip to local branch who offered an appointment! Couldn't quite believe it, eventually after some persuasion I got forms sent one off and will take it in. Since then son received a phone call don't have to move it now ! Will open it anyway as its better than a current ac. Nat west look like you can apply online or change a/c to it online Barcs its Ucas, Lloyd too but they all say a conf letter Ucas conf other than natwest which unless I apply online doesn't say! Don't think my six week MOOC course qualifies!
Speak to a manager try someone else or change bank. Good luck banks are not on my favourite list this week! I'm an ex banker but by god they need to change their ways! Customer is king is how I was trained.

[Bulman]

At South Tyneside, the banks don't accept the collages "acceptance letter" so ask for an "official" letter (with school header ect) which includes things like your name, course and date it finishes, it seems the banks around here get asked a lot as at different banks people got told the exact thing. So quick trip to the college admin and she kindly made us a letter says "Bla bla is enrolled on the Electrical Marine Engineering Course run by Northumbria, which finishes July 2015" with a bit more mumbo jumbo of course.

If it doesn't work try a different branch, mine got changed in a few mins at Natwest and someone else had to mess about for a hour at the bank....

[desdons]

What are the advantages of having a student account rather than a current account?

[Bulman]

Zero charge overdraft which can go to ?3k depending on bank and term, so its bad if you're gonna spend it but is useful for first month at college if your company doesn't pay for accommodation. you won't have to clear it for a year or two after you qualify, but if you don't clear it you'll start getting charged current account overdraft prices.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Interest free overdraft and lower charges than a normal current account

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 4

[Martyboy]

I have a student overdraft which is interest free, I went to my bank and changed from a staff account (Previous job) to the student account. I went to the Deck cadet guru (Sam Morgan if you are at STC) and she wrote me a letter which Simon Ashton signed confirming the course I was doing and the time I was there. Gave it to the fine people at HBOS and BOOM! Student account So to answer your question.... Hell yea Navy shizz counts as student

[All At Sea]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Spoke to them again and they said that although I would be eligible they need a letter confirming the course title and length, and as the acceptance letter has neither, in fact it doesn't even reference me by name, they can't convert the account on the strength of that alone. Which makes sense to me.

[Midge]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Spoke to them again and they said that although I would be eligible they need a letter confirming the course title and length, and as the acceptance letter has neither, in fact it doesn't even reference me by name, they can't convert the account on the strength of that alone. Which makes sense to me.

Well that at least makes sense you could borrow anyone's form, even student cards are not enough. I would imagine college is quite used to the request.