First Direct won't now let me have accounts in maiden and married names

[sameshoestwice]

I have been a customer of First Direct for over 20 years and always had accounts in my maiden name, used for personal expenses and earnings, and married name, used for all family expenditure, household bills etc. They've now been in touch to say I can't have two accounts in different names any more because they are tightening up on security. They want me to choose one of the names, and they will then close the other account.
I have documents and accounts in both names, and changing to either of them will involve and enormous amount of hassle. My main ID docs - passport and driving licence - are both in married name, but if push came to shove I would opt to use maiden name only, as that's the one most people know me by. I also find that I am very reluctant to let go of either name, for emotional reasons.
I really want to carry on banking in both names, but if I can only hold a bank account in one of them, I think the amount of use I give to the other will dwindle. Anyone else got this problem, or can suggest a solution?

Perhaps switch one of your accounts to a different provider before they close it. Some offer a cash bonus to switch.

This is probably about money laundering security and will have something to do with FD giving you a unique CIN to identify you, they are probably now having to have one CIN per customer and cant link it to two different names in their security systems to show you are one and the same person IYSWIM. It's probably tightening security to stop people opening accounts, in multiple identities, for fraudulent purposes. If you have ID for both names you should be able to open an account in your maiden name at a different banking institution but, tbh, if FD are now tightening security in this way the rest will probably follow so you can probably no longer (or very soon) have two accounts in different names at the same bank.

I can see why they would be reluctant to let one person have accounts in two names.

At least they are giving you the choice, and not insisting that your married name is your "real" name, or any bullshit like that.

I don't think it's unfair to ask you to choose. I am a bit confused why you changed your ID docs if you are not actually using your married name. Sounds like a bit of a hassle!

Money laundering - choose a name or move one name to another bank 🙄

It's tricky, as I realise now that it's not clear how much of a choice I'm being given - it all happened on an unexpected phone call and I need to get clarification. Thanks for all replies

Same thing happened to me with a different bank. I moved one of my accounts to a different provider.

No bank or building society would allow you to open accounts in 2 different names. And the name on your bank account doesn't dictate the name people know you by

I have bank accounts in two names.

If my bank forced me to close one I'd shut both the accounts and then open accounts with two different banks in the two names.

It is perfectly legal and surprisingly common to have two names.
The bank are being daft.

first direct are part of HSBC and both are very hot on all this - unfortunately neither have IT, websites or back office systems that can cope.

switch one account to another bank offering an incentive. Loyalty is for suckers.

oh yes - you phone them, that unexpected call may not be them!

From bitter experience - keep the one in your known as name. I was unable to open an account in my known as name as passport in married name - so will be easier to open that one elsewhere!

I had this ages ago when my DM chose to register the DC's premium bonds in my married name (which I never use). Took me forever to unpick.