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I need a bit of help - contacting Cooperative Bank from abroad

12 replies

Tatoumorse · 08/10/2024 15:13

I no longer live in the UK. My son had a Britannia cash child trust fund and over time this transferred to the Co-op Bank. Recently (end August date of letter, received Sept) I received a letter from the Co-op Bank saying that they are radically changing their rates etc and we have an option to close the account before 16 October and transfer the money elsewhere. This letter did not bear my son's account number, and did not have an address for reply! It had a Co-op Bank letterhead (no contact details). At the footer of the letter was the Balloon Street standard address for the Co-op so I wrote to them immediately giving written instructions from my son and I to close the account and transfer the money to his bank account. That letter has just been returned with "Not known at this address" (!). I also tried to contact the Co-op Bank by phone, but the account number (the old Britannia one, the only one I have) was not accepted as a number and so I could only be put through if I selected "I do not have an account". On being put through, the wait time was in excess of 25 mins at a premium rate from abroad and/or I was cut off. I really need to write to the Bank to instruct them to close the account before the deadline of 16th (I can send the letter international recorded delivery) - I have checked their website but it seems they do not give out an address. Can anyone help?
https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/products/savings/britannia-simplification/
Even if I could fax a branch for them to take this forward? I tried calling the branches listed online in the UK but all reroute to the centralised number with the above-mentioned issues.
It's about 600 GBP but that is not nothing! It is supposed to pay for his driving lessons when older, I always promised him that.
Thanks !

Britannia Simplifying Savings | The Co-operative Bank

We are simplifying our savings range for customers and will no longer be offering Britannia Savings accounts. Click to find out more.

https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/products/savings/britannia-simplification

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 08/10/2024 18:21

I think you need to look at an alternative child trust fund or Junior ISA as i don't think you can just release the CTF into a bank account if it hasn't matured yet.

dementedpixie · 08/10/2024 18:41

P.s. you set up the new Junior ISA and the new provider arranges to transfer the funds from the old CTF rather than you having the cash and reinvesting it. Your child won't get the funds before they turn 18.

Tatoumorse · 09/10/2024 06:23

@dementedpixie I'm trying to contact the Co-op Bank, can you help with that?

The letter explains that we can transfer the funds out now because of the changes to Co-op Bank T&Cs but only before 16 October. But I cannot reach them to arrange this as explained above.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 09/10/2024 06:51

You can transfer the funds out to another product with a different provider not to a bank account. Contacting co-op will not enable this as you need a new provider of CTF or Junior ISA so they can transfer the funds over. He can't have the money until he is 18.

What is the wording in the letter?

overindulged · 09/10/2024 06:59

It says online they're available on Facebook and Twitter - contact them on there and they'll be able to help I'm sure (I've messaged organisations on social media and got the help I needed)

dementedpixie · 09/10/2024 07:11

I meant the wording of your options for the funds.

tribpot · 09/10/2024 07:17

I think you may struggle to open a new Junior ISA if you're not UK resident, to transfer the contents of the existing one to.

olderbutwiser · 09/10/2024 07:22

03457 212 212 Is the only number I can see on their website. They also advise you contact them via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thecooperativebank

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thecooperativebank

Tatoumorse · 09/10/2024 09:23

OK, thanks all. I am not on social media so cannot do that.
I have indeed tried the phone number as above.
Currently I have found a few emails for other teams within the Bank so I am trying those.
Just to add, the letter I received states that, because of significant changes to the T&Cs I do have the option of closing the account and withdrawing the money NOW rather than to another Fund. That's what I want to do.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 09/10/2024 13:23

Does it not say it has to go to another provider? The whole point of a CTF is that it is held on the child's behalf until they turn 18. It can be swapped between providers but not withdrawn until then

Tatoumorse · 09/10/2024 16:38

I think after all this the letter has been sent to me in error. I am in touch with the bank now thanks to having found an email for someone in a totally different dept and they got the right team to email me today. Thanks all for help

OP posts:
DadJoke · 09/10/2024 16:44

I had a similar letter and called the number on the letter - it took a while to get through to the right department, but they sent me what I needed in the end.

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