I am an existing customer and i had problems in an attempt to transfer our ISA'S too. We all need to send complaints. This is not good enough for a professional bank! However, no problem with other accounts. The annoying thing is when you recommend a friend and things go wrong!

Tell me about it,I applied for a savings account with A&L over a month ago, I walked into the branch and was told that i had to apply on line, I had all the nessacery ID passport utility bill etc, The manager of the branch checked my id and certified them both, She then told me to send them off with the application form and it would be a lot quicker, I then rang them yesterday to find out what was going on with my application and was told that the id i sent in was not good enough, I couldn't believe it, There manager said it was fine, I asked them why no one had contacted me to tell me the id was not good enough, I was told that there is a massive back log, I really don't know what to do now, I was originally going for ING but got scared of, I have £55000 to invest , And to tell you the truth no one seems to bothered about having it!!!!!!!!!!

Can someone please explain : I have 3 accounts (all running with cash and active transactions) with Alliance and Leicester, and when I want to open another account they ask for ALL ID and address proof. I ended up moving my money to other banks which does electronic check.

Why does A&L do this? It is a real nuisance, when I am proposing to link my new account to a long established current account!

Like Bargain Hunter, I was asked to provide certified documentation of my address/identity when trying to open a Direct ISA with A&L. I have never had to do this before with any other financial body, and I don't have any problems with my credit rating as far as I know.

As I don't have easy (and free) access to any of the "professionals" listed as being competent to certify my identity I just took my business elsewhere.

I had no problem opening the Direct ISA account with A&L (I was not an existing customer). However, I too am experiencing a considerable delay getting my funds transferred into the new account. My previous ISA provider transferred the money nearly a month ago, but there is a backlog with the A&L processing centre, they have been processing transactions dated 9-MAY-2008, and have been processing transactions for this date since at least the 29-MAY-2008, they do not seem to be making much progress. Since any funds in the process of being transerred, cannot be accessed until the transfer is complete, this is fairly serious. If you have a financial emergency and need your money, it is apparently bad luck ! Not at all good. I have registerred a complaint with A&L today.

I would recommend that anyone considerring transferring their ISA to A&L wait until the back log has been cleared - at their current rate of progress that will be never :o)

Sorry to hear of your problems. I had no problems opening Direct ISA with A&L but this was probably because I bank with them anyway. However, there is considerable delay in transferring ISA from previous provider. Is anyone else finding this and am I correct to say that interest will be backdated. If so, does anyone know what date interest is backsdated to.

Thanks

re. CS! Customer Service? in "on your concern about an aborted application ---- I have no confidence in CS anywhere if it is somthing important.

To be fair to A&L the below mentioned link explains what happens if the electronic check is insufficient. Did this happen or did their system fail you?

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/directisauserguide/index.asp?page=page3

On your concern about an aborted application being recorded against you, I would suggest you e-mail them rather than phone and even then you could phone and make sure the e-mail is correct. I have no confidence in CS anywhere if it is something important.

Has anyone had any problems with opening an Alliance and Leicester ISA? Myself and my fiancee are saving a house deposit and decided to open an ISA each with A & L, my fiancee opened two (07/08 and 08/09) with no probs, I received a letter requested I sent in proof of identity with a list of appropriate documents you could sent in, sent a copy of my driving license. I have now received anopther letter saying the identification I provided was not certified (I was not asked to do this in the original letter) and needs to be by a Doctor, Lawyer, Minister of Religion etc.in order to open the account.

I am totally baffled by this, I do have a bad credit rating but I am trying to open a savings account (!?) plus I have never had any problems with my proving my identity for anything before? I applied for this at the start of this tax year so by now I don't really need the ISA as have made other arrangements, however I am reluctant to disregard it as is this going to have further implications when I am applying for products?

If anyone can shed any light would be much appreciated!