A story of two banks: Part Three

A story of two banks: Part One
Part Two

This is one woman's story of struggle and hardship... in trying to open a bank account in the United Kingdom... before her husband deploys...
___________________________________

The manager set us up right away with a nice lady named Nikki. 
I have never answered so many personal questions in my life!

mother's maiden name
am I currently searching for a job
our income
how much each of our bills are (including groceries & entertainment!)
credit history
and on.

Everything was going along just dandy... and then she dropped the bomb.

She informed us that because I don't have three years BRITISH credit history, I may be declined a debit / cash card!  Which means I cannot take money out of the bank any time I want in our home town!  I said that I have almost 8 years credit history, but it's not British so it doesn't matter.  She said we had two options if I was declined:
1. Wait three months, and apply for the card again
OR
2. Royal can downgrade his card -- apparently accounts have to have matching cards -- there are several levels of cards, and Royal has one that will work everywhere. If we were to downgrade because of me, our cards would NOT be accepted everywhere.

At this point it would be important for me to mention that Royal is being deployed in March, so this information is fairly (just fairly, mind you) important.

Nikki also could only (at least she said so) add me to the account as a 'housemate' instead of his wife, because our last names are different -- mine hasn't been changed yet. 
We were honestly too tired to argue.

She said she'd call us in about a week to let us know the application went through and if I was in fact declined.
She didn't call. 

In the meantime Royal and I made a trip to a different bank, one that WAS in our town. 
Everything started off nicely.  The man guaranteed that every step would be completed quickly, and that I would have access to everything that my husband had access to.  They would even switch all his direct debits/credits for free and give us £100 for switching banks.  Yay. 

We got to the part where I showed him my proof of address, and it stopped him cold.  He said they wouldn't accept the document I brought - even though Barclays had accepted it! He said it was a government rule they couldn't break.  Which makes you wonder which one is having a laugh.

He said to come back when we had the correct paperwork.  Great.

I call Barclays, they say Nikki is out for the day but she'll return our call tomorrow.
The next day Royal called her, and left a message.
Later that day, Nikki called and I picked up the phone.  Our conversation:

Nikki: Hello, this is Nikki from Barclays, is this Kathy _______?
Me: Yes, this is she. How are you?
Nikki: Well, thank you.  Your paperwork is almost completed [me thinking: ALMOST?!?!] I just need some information.  What is your husband's name? [me thinking, you have got to be kidding me, this boosts my confidence in your business]
Me: Royal ________.
Nikki: What is your account sort code?
Me: You'll have to speak to my husband about this, here he is.

Turns out, as luck would have it, that somehow Barclays computer system crashed or something similiar to that and our information/account addition had not gone through yet.  She would call us in a few days.

Part Four to come

**UPDATE: Part Four

Comments

[Goalie]

ARRGGHH! I agonize for you! Despite the fact that it makes good blog fodder, I'll pray that you're both de-stressed about this soon.

[Kath]

Haha it's actually pretty funny looking back a little on it. Not that I would wish this on ANYone!
Thanks for the prayers :o)

[Pat]

It just gets worse. I am so sorry you are having to put up with this and it must be even more didicult when it isn't your birth country and you probably feel you can't give full vent to your feelings. I really hope sanity will prevail and they will get their flipping fingers out. Royal must be livid!

[Goalie]

Does Royal's base have people who help in situations like this? Yours can't be the only international marriage...although you'd think so, at this point!

[yankeemom]

Hope you get it all sorted out! Isn't being all growed up fun?! I love all the twists and turns that can turn something very simple into a maze.
I could use recess myself...
Hang in there - not that I have any doubt of you surmounting anything in your way!