Bank Account Switching Post BR

A question about : Bank Account Switching Post BR

Hi guys

We are now 2 years post BR and gave it a go signing up with Metro Bank for a bank account to move away from Co-Op who decided to cancel all our standing orders and direct debits without telling us!

To cut a long story short we got accepted by Metro Bank for a joint current account and they set their switching service in motion.

However Co-Op have refused to comply with the switching and rejected it claiming because we are bankrupt (which actually we are not now) we can't switch!

So Co-Op want rid of us but won't let us move!

I'm now in a conundrum where I have payments I need to make, some where I am being financially penalised due to not paying by Direct Debit and I'm left in limbo knowing what account to be using.

I've emailed the Payments Council to see if there are any restrictions on switching accounts but surely if you've been accepted for a current account with another bank that's all that matters.

Co-Op are blaming Metro Bank saying Metro Bank told them they don't want the switch to go ahead but Metro Bank have email proof from Co-Op saying Co-Op are refusing to give any of our details over.

Metro Bank are sending a letter to us to use as proof but this is going to take a couple of days and at the moment I am stuck!

Any one have any advise?

TIA

Best answers:

• Hi
  Although its a pain, move all my DD's manually across to Metro, it just takes a phone call to the payee's to give them new account details and of course you have control of which bank your income goes into. You are quite right - you are no longer BR! I completely fail to see why co-op wont let you switch and all you can do is ask them to show you where in their terms and conditions it says you can not switch.
  If they can't show you the T&C that prevents the switch, lodge a formal complaint.
• Usually, Co-op don't stop DD's and stuff unless there have been issues with the account concerned.
  Co-op operate a '3-strikes' rule with Cashminders....a bit old-fashioned, but that is Co-op all over, in many ways.
  HAs the Co-op account been put into the red, for example?