Another one to add to the list

A question about : Another one to add to the list

Open a new Plus Account, complete a full switch using the ‘Current Account Switch Service’ and close your old bank account.
Pay at least Ј1,200 per month into your Plus Account.
To qualify, open a new Plus Account and complete a full switch from Monday 12 January 2015. This will require you to use the ‘Current Account Switch Service’ to transfer all of your active credits and debits from your old bank account and close that account.
Only one payment of Ј125 will be paid per Plus Account (including joint accounts).
This offer is subject to change and can be withdrawn at any time without notice.
You must be 18 or over.
Your welcome gift of Ј125 will be paid into your account within one calendar month of the full account switch being completed.

https://personal.firsttrustbank.co.uk...nts/125-switch

Thanks to Shicky - HUKD

Best answers:

• Would be grateful for clarification re: residents in England, Wales and Scotland.
  Been looking at their website and can't see anything against residents of above applying?
  It is a UK regulated bank after all...?
• Yes cannot see anything either - It looks account is available to all.
  Although process looks the same as YB/CB.
  The offer is available from tomorrow. Will ring them to find out.
  Edit. They use equifax - I have no problems with my credit report but any company using Equifax my application gets referred and possibly a decline. Never happened with Experian - My 2 applications for YB gone through without any problems & immediate accept.
  MS
• Nothing in the T&Cs that says the account is only open to residents of NI. Although the laws of NI apply, and it seems their debit card will only be accepted in limited places ("Banklink machines, certain First Trust Bank euro cash machines in Northern Ireland, AIB cash machines in the Republic of Ireland and at post office counters in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales").
  Seems you also have to provide evidence that you can pay in Ј1,200 a month, apparently. Though the FAQ does say it doesn't have to be in one transaction.
  Quote:
• I need some extra strong pills to go through with another telephone application but Ј125 sounds good!
• It appears to be more geared to branch applications (and phone to a degree) as YB/CB was/is.
  This from the switching procedure may be a sticking point?...
  Quote:
• I saw that too but assumed it's just an incomplete website and they would use CRAs and Electoral Roll like everyone else.
  The T&Cs say:
  Quote:
• Hmh, never had a problem with Natwest but I am now down to my last one with them, too, and I want to keep that so they don't get ideas and take my online access away.
  You could try RBS? I think they still have branches in your neck of the woods so probably wouldn't redirect you to Natwest.
• Phoned up this morning.
  Failed the ID check and was informed to pop into a branch...think I'll pass on that.
  Mum applied successfully (resident in England).
• This bank is basically Allied Irish Bank's subsidiary in Northern Ireland - I recognised the website format straight away.
  Unlikely - but maybe you could go in and provide ID via one of AIB GB branches and they could forward it for you. They have several in London etc
  www.aibgb.co.uk
• Can anyone confirm if they use Experian or Equifax?.
  I think they use Equifax but not sure. Thank you
• I just called the bank and one of the advisors told me that I have to be resident in Northern Ireland. Although the previous advisor seemed okay with the address until the line got cut off. Please could anyone who has successfully opened this account while resident in England let us know?
• started the tortuous process - "you can't" etc. Noone seems to know anything !
  This will require you to use the ‘Current Account Switch Service’ to transfer all of your active credits and debits from your old bank account and close that account.
  My spare a/c has no ddms - wonder if that will be a problem.
  they have checked me electronically but "result insuffient - call into branch". I asked if an AIB branch would be ok - "NO."
  Going to be a hard one to bag I think
• Free daily banking if your account is in credit or if you make two qualifying debit transactions each month
  Avoid monthly fees with the Plus Account. How to qualify:
• Keep your account in credit each month^
  or
• If your account is in debit (overdrawn) during the month^, you can still avoid a monthly fee by making:
• Two purchases using your Visa debit card; or
• Two debit* transactions using either the Online or Phoneline banking services or both; or
• One purchase using your Visa debit card and one debit* transaction using either the Online or Phoneline Banking services

^The monthly period for current accounts is from the 16th of month one to the 15th of month two.
* By debit transaction we mean either transferring funds or paying a bill.
If you do not keep your account in credit, or make the qualifying transactions, you will be charged a monthly fee of Ј15.
You may still have to pay service fees or support fees. For full details, please see our price list.