Natwest Step Bank Account

Was advised to open a Natwest Step account as I cuurently don't have a bank account and was "reliably" informed in-branch that my bad credit record wouldnt be taken into account as it's just a basic bank account and not a current account and would therefore not need a credit check. After waiting for the forms to be sent through the post, I went in-branch to finalise the paperwork only to find that they wouldnt accept a provisional drivers licence and would only accept a full one or passport. So I filled in a passport form, spent almost £100 gettting it checked and sent off and waited.

Once my passport had arrived, I went back in store to again try and finalise the account. Their systems werent working. So I photocopied all my ID and sent it away.

One week later, a letter arrived telling me I'd been declined the account. However on calling the team, they refused to tell me why as it would breach their commerce rules. Woman on the phone rude and condesending.

Three days after this, I received a letter telling me I was all set up to use the internet banking service. ???

The next day, a letter telling me my account details and that my account was ready to use - my card and pin etc would follow. ?????

After a twenty minute call to their call center, they finally decided there had been a mix up and my account had failed at the 'second checking'. However, noone could tell me what the 'second checking' involved, and broadly put it down to anything from me misspelling my name and address to there being vast amounts of money still due according to my credit reference (which there isnt). I could appeal in writing, but this could take several months. And in order to appeal I'd need to send the past 7 years worth of addresses with proof I have lived at each address....being at Uni 7 years ago and in halls, means no bills and no proof of address.

There really is no point....aside from the apologetic man I spoke to today (I was shouting at him rather a lot) the entire experience was a complete waste. Natwest need to get their facts straight and stop having their in-branch employees tell you one thing and their phone employees another.

A complete waste of time.

I read an article on how to rebuild credit which recommended the Natwest Step Account so I decided to apply. The application was quick and easy enough. I got sent a cheque book, my pin no, my internet log in details, and then finally my visa debit card all within 10 working days. I am surprised to read other reviews that state they have only got a solo card with no cheque book, perhaps Natwest have only recently upgraded the step account. I also got a phone call from my local branch a week after opening the account welcoming me to the branch and asking if i had any queries. I was also informed that if I kept my account in good order that I would be eligible to upgrade to a current plus account within 3-6 months. I have to be honest and say that although I have no reason to doubt this, my natural skepticism tells me that Ill believe it once i see it. So far though, its been great and I would recommend it to others, who like myself, couldnt get a current account due to past financial mismanagement. Now that I think of it though, the only draw back so far is that there is very few branches of Natwest in Scotland and theres talk of them closing them too.

Was recomended to open this basic account, on the premise we could change it to a more appropriate account at a later date, such as a current plus account, premier advantage or other type of account. My partner and I have moved all of our direct debits and standing orders to these account and have now been told it can not be upgraded. We are very annoyed and am thinking of leaving NatWest.

I just had this account for a month and I am already feeling quite concerned. Having been given a solo card only, I am unable to purchase anything online because virtually all websites require a debit/credit card. I guess I was to blame since I thought the solo card could be considered as a debit card, but only maestro cards are allowed to be used for online purchasing. Now a days, it is quite common to purchase products online. Moreover, the deals given online helps me out with my financial status. It is hard enough being an international student without having to deal with a card that only allows me to withdraw cash. I am also unable to apply for savings account in Natwest. It seems tough to save money here. I do understand though that we cannot apply for credit cards until a year later, for credit history, but what am I suppose to do with just a cash card? Moreover, the interest rate of the savings account is not that high either, for the few accounts that I am entitled to apply for.No cheques are provided as well. I accept the customer service's reason though, but it makes life a little tougher as well. What made me angry the most was that they 'forgot' to request for our first reserve card. We waited for 3 weeks for that card. And if we did not go to the bank to check, we most likely will not get it until months later. I feel quite frustrated having an account with Natwest at the moment. And will be switching to another bank.

I opened this account 18 months ago after nearly lots of problems with a previous bank.

This account does offer a Solo debit card, but obviously no overdraft or credit facilities (but trust me, when you're having credit problems, the last thing you want is more credit!).

I am delighted to say that, a year and a half down the line, Natwest have just contacted me to upgrade my account to a full current account. Haven't checked it recently, but I am 100% certain that there is still adverse information on my credit file, as defaults don't vanish in 18 months. However, due to the account being maintained in good order they've been willing to upgrade it.

I've always found their customer service team to be very efficient and fair - having no overdraft facility and a low income, it's inevitable that some months you are likely to be short of money. In the event that it looked like I was going to go overdrawn, I have been able to walk into my branch at lunchtime on the day DD's were due to be paid and explain the situation to the staff, who have ALWAYS recalled a couple of DD's for me to stop me getting charged. They are always willing to listen and try to help, in my experience.

So basically, if you've had credit problems and are looking to rebuild your credit, I would highly recommend this account.

As a new customer to Natwest and banking in general I had been recommened to try the Step account at Natwest. After applying online only to be told I have to go into the branch as the site was faulty, the customer service representitive on the enquiry desk seemed like he couldn't be bothered opening the account. He merely photocopied the ID I had brought in and told me to send it to an address he worte down for me with a note explaining the services I required!

After recieving nothing back in the post after 4 weeks had passed I went back down to the Park Row branch in Leeds to try and open the account again. I spoke to another member of staff who photocopied my ID AGAIN and had me sign forms to the effect of opening my account. He then said it would be open by the next working day and I would recieve confirmation in a week to 10 days.

2 weeks passed and nothing so I contacted the branch by telephone only to be told, by 3rd member of staff, I would have to go into the branch as the 2nd member of staff hadn't completed the account opening procedure and my ID would have to be taken again, which I did with Number 4, again at the Park Row branch in Leeds.

Numner 4 said the account would be open at the end of the day and I would recieve postal comfirmation within 3 working days.

Again nothing happened.

I called the branch a number of times and was told someone would call me back to no avail. I finally spoke to 3rd member of staff again 6 weeks or more after the first phone call only to be told the account was 'half open', he told me they had a reference but no account number. He said he would make enquiries and get 4th staff member to call me back. Staff member number 5 called me back moments later. With no previous dealings with her I hoped for the best only to be informed I would have to go into the branch and start a fresh application procedure.

I politely told her to forget it and throw my application in the bin. I couldn't stress any more strongly how unproffessional and dissapointing the service is at Natwest. Do not go with this bank for a basic account or any other, only bad things will come of it.

As a foreign student, I was offered an account with Natwest through my university. When I joined, I was told I was not eligible for a student account, but could get a STEP account for now, and upgrade after a year. Since I needed an account, I accepted.

I should have gone somewhere else.

Natwest has a lot of branches, which is good. However, with a Solo debit card, no overdraft and charges whenever they can find something to charge you with, they leave a bad taste in your mouth. I went in after a year to take them up on their promise of a student account, only to be told I needed to have been with them for 3 years. I also went over my statements to find charges I had not realised I had.

I recommend somewhere else, like RBS, which offers student accounts to foreign students (EU anyway), with overdraft.

When I was a student, I tried to open a bank account. I was recommended to Natwest by a friend. This is the first bank account that I had.

When I went into Natwest and told them I wanted to open a Student Account, I was told that I was not eligible and was offered a Step account instead. I accepted it, as at that time, all I wanted was a place to put my cash, and I thought all accounts were the same.

How wrong I was! This account does not come with a cheque book or a "proper" card. Yes a Solo can be used in a number of places, but it cannot be used in, for example, Boots and to buy train tickets.

The worst thing is there is no overdraft, and if you accidentally let your account go below zero, you will be hit with a huge charge for it, bringing it even further below zero.

I thought that after a year I would be able to "upgrade" my account to a better one, but I was wrong. Even after 3 years, they still refused to upgrade me. My requests for a cheque book had also been turned down many times.

One other bad point about this account is that the statements only comes once every 3 months, and you will have little idea what is going on with it.

I am still holding on to this account because it has a large number of branches, so it is easy for me to drop off cheques. But that is all I use it for. I had switched to Bank of Scotland 2 years ago, and I have been give much many benefits with a student account there.

Therefore, I will NOT recommend this account to anyone. Try Halifax of Bank of Scotland instead. They have better customer service too.