Opening a current account for Au Pair

Draculaura

Hi,

Can you confirm how my au pair can open a current account please?

She needs a pps number, we have that.

Proof of address is on the letter sent with her pps number, but my local branch won't accept it and want a utility bill! She doesn't have any utility bills to pay!!!

She wants to open an account, put her money in it, use a debt card - how can BOI refuse the business and the transaction fees they will be earning on the account!

Surely, there must be a way an au-pair can open a bank account without requiring a utility bill as proof of address?

Bank of Ireland: Sarah

Hi Draculaura,

Thank you for contacting us on Boards. 

Sorry to hear that your au pair was unable to open an account with us in this instance.
Please ensure that the proof of address is from within the last six months and is not a photocopy. She will need this as well as a photo ID such as a valid passport or driving license.
It would be best for your au pair to speak with a customer service advisor in the branch to clarify why this proof of address was not accepted. The representative will also be able to go through any alternative documentation that would be accepted. You can find the details on what is needed to open an account here and arrange an appointment.

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to contact us if you need help with any other query.

Thanks,
Sarah

Draculaura

So, after going to 2 different BOI branches with pps number, letter with pps number as proof of address and passport, we were informed again that we still do not have sufficient proof of address!

We must have a utility bill, or a letter from revenue.

We cannot get her a utility bill without setting up a direct debit, for which she obviously needs a bank account!!
And because she doesn't pay taxes, she can't get a letter from Revenue!!!

NOT happy!!

Legislator

Does your au-pair come from a European country. If so she can continue to use that account and her debit card on that account. Its called SEPA - Single Euro Payments Area 

Bank of Ireland: Tara

Draculaura wrote: »

So, after going to 2 different BOI branches with pps number, letter with pps number as proof of address and passport, we were informed again that we still do not have sufficient proof of address!

We must have a utility bill, or a letter from revenue.

We cannot get her a utility bill without setting up a direct debit, for which she obviously needs a bank account!!
And because she doesn't pay taxes, she can't get a letter from Revenue!!!

NOT happy!!

Hi Draculaura,

We're sorry to hear you are not happy. Can we ask, what date was the pps letter issued and is it the original letter or a photocopy? The reason we ask is, this needs to have been issued in the last six months. If it was issued longer than six months ago or is a photocopy, the branch would be unable to accept it as a valid proof of address. 

Thanks
Tara

sura28

Hi,
My sister had the same problem, finally they accepted the PPs letter as proof of address in Ulster Bank. 

HTH

Draculaura

Legislator wrote: »

Does your au-pair come from a European country. If so she can continue to use that account and her debit card on that account. Its called SEPA - Single Euro Payments Area 

She's from Hungary! :-/

Draculaura

Bank of Ireland: Tara wrote: »

Draculaura wrote: »

So, after going to 2 different BOI branches with pps number, letter with pps number as proof of address and passport, we were informed again that we still do not have sufficient proof of address!

We must have a utility bill, or a letter from revenue.

We cannot get her a utility bill without setting up a direct debit, for which she obviously needs a bank account!!
And because she doesn't pay taxes, she can't get a letter from Revenue!!!

NOT happy!!

Hi Draculaura,

We're sorry to hear you are not happy. Can we ask, what date was the pps letter issued and is it the original letter or a photocopy? The reason we ask is, this needs to have been issued in the last six months. If it was issued longer than six months ago or is a photocopy, the branch would be unable to accept it as a valid proof of address. 

Thanks
Tara

Hi Tara,

The PPS letter was issued last week, the day before we initially visited the bank, and it's the original, not a photocopy.
Apparently, they have recently changed the rules and it is no longer acceptable (My previous Spanish au-pair did use it to open her account)

Anyway, it looks like there's nothing more we can do! I find it unbelievable that the bank is turning away business. All she wants is a current account with a debit card, it's not like she's looking for an overdraft and a credit card!

Incidentally, we had the same problem with AIB!

Bank of Ireland: Sarah

Hi Draculaura,

Thanks for your reply. 

We're sorry to hear that this letter was not accepted. An original PPS letter should indeed be accepted, as long as it does not have C/O on the address. We would be keen to look into this for you. If your au pair wishes for us to contact your nearest branch, we can ask a representative to contact your au pair and arrange an appointment with them to discuss opening an account.

Please send in a private message to us by clicking on the link in my signature below and include your au pair's name, contact number, and the branch you wish to open the account in. Please ensure you have signatures set to display in your Boards settings to do this. 

Thanks,
Sarah