Banking experiences

[FrannyHelen]

Just had the most annoying banking experience to date with lloyds... (I am a 4th year Postgraduate Medical student)

My credit card payment came out early this month, pushing me £15 over my o/d limit, making me liable for fees until Tuesday, when my monthly money goes into my account. So I phoned them, trying to do the right thing in letting them know I am aware of the situation and is there anything I can do to reduce the fees.

They put me through to customerservices who were decidedly useless and insisted on doing an income check which I told them would be pointless as I have no "official" income (my parents support me monthly along with an average of £100/month I earn doing painting/sewing commisions). Sure enough, it was useless and to top it off, they have now taken away my credit card (which I have always paid in the 7 years I have had it and I have NEVER gone over the limit - currently have about £700 out of £1000 possible on there) and my gradute account privalges (whatever they were). Bearing in mind when I got the credit card I was in EXACTLY the same financial position as I am now - i.e. no official income, same overdraft limits etc

The guy on the phone was rude, didn't listen and advised me to go and talk to the Citizens Advice Buruae if I was having so many problems...!! He didn't understand I was still studying, had been for 7 years and would be earning from next summer!

Am really dissapointed as lloyds have always been so helpful and supportive of me during my studying (they arranged my Further education loans too - the guy on the phone clearly didnt check that properly as he told me I started paying that this month... sadly that would be August 2011, not 2010) and this has really upset me as I was really trying to do the right thing and have been penalised for it. If I hadnt said anything, nothing would have happened! Should have just burried my head in the sand and ignored it like so many other people....


anyone else had experiences like this whilst studying? Or can anyone recommend a bank for being very good with students? Am thinking of switching once I graduate as this has really annoyed me rather alot, especially so close to the "finishing line" as it were.

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