To think I should be able to open Bank Account's for the DC when I want

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Especially when I've phoned beforehand to ask what was required and they said "Just pop in to your local branch"

So, I did, with the required ID, to be told that there was no-one there who could do it and I'd have to make an appointment and come back another day.

I just want a local account for them to pay in any birthday money. We're a small town, close to a larger one and not an affluent area, so there is only one bank left here. They have savings accounts elsewhere, but I just wanted them to have a bank account they can cycle to, for their spending money. Therefore, I don't have the choice to go elsewhere.

Anyway, after my phone call, we all walked the 30 mins to the bank to be told they couldn't do it, can't help sickness (one person off) and I'd have to come back. AIBU to think that they shouldn't make staffing levels so tight that one person sick means they're unable to offer basic services?

The Post Office is convenient but you have to put in a minimum of £20. You don't have to give notice to take it out as you have a passbook.

That is shit. Open a post office account instead - do NOT give this bank your custom!

As an ex bank employee - the staff who open accounts are specifically trained to open and correctly identify the people opening the accounts - even children - and therefore not just anyone can do it. There are strict money laundering compliances that have to be met on each account in this day and age so you do need to see the correct member of staff - hence the appointment system.

I agree, you should have been told to make an appointment however I'm suprised that you weren't offered the chance to simply fill in the forms, leave your ID and a member of staff get back to you to confirm all was ok. That's what I used to do when my diary was full and people wanted simple kids accounts......

So, YABalittleU. I would phone back, explain your situation, and then see if the adviser who does open the accounts can throw in a few little freebies for your kids - we used to have a good supply of pens, stickers, sticky bugs, balloons etc for the little ones.

I used to work in a bank. We used to open accounts at the counter, then they introduced a new rule that a person wishing to open an account had to go to the "sales desk" and complete a checklist. We told the customer it was to esnure they were opening the best account for their needs, really it was so we could ask them a load of questions about what accounts they had elsewhere and what loans etc they had and try to sell them something. Even for a childs account we had to go through this checklist with the parent.

IMO this is why you couldn't open it there and then - they were short staffed and there was no "salesperson" to try to flog you something you didn't want or need!

At my place of work we have people whos job it is to open new accounts and there is so many rules and regs re ID and paperwork not just anyone can do it. We have just gone through a Lean process across the country which has rid us of alot of staff, but still a big workload to cover. We would love more staff to help cover sickness, hols etc, but its not going to happen.