Need to provide bank statements for a temporary job?!

[chicaguapa]

I've been offered a 3 month temporary contract with HSBC (not in a branch).

I went back to work 4 years ago after 6 years as a SAHM. The agency is now requesting a year's worth of bank statements to 'prove' I wasn't working as I can't provide employer references for the last 5 years (only 4). They've already done a credit check on me, which I was surprised about as I thought they were paying me for doing a job and I'm not applying for a loan or a mortgage etc.

I/we have several accounts, one for DDs, one for food, another for spending money etc so not sure how sending statements for any one of those accounts is going to prove anything. I suggested the agency/HSBC contacts the tax office but the agency is insisting on bank statements. I don't particularly want to have to sit in a queue to one of my banks to request backdated statements from 5 years ago (for which they'll no doubt charge me). I'm tempted to tell them it's none of their business and look for a different job.

WWYD?

FFS!

I've never heard anything so ridiculous!

Its only for 3 months - they want a history 15 times longer than the contract. You certainly couldn't produce that sort of evidence for a loan.

I'm dying to ask what sort of job it is - is it some kind of high powered economist, or a number crunching, data entry kind of thing?

I can't see how this is proportional at all. Or, to be honest, what exactly it proves. The only way to prove anything would be to take ALL your statements from ALL your accounts, but that relies on you saying that's all your accounts. Madness. I will laugh if you bank with HSBC, though. What they should do though, is get a printout of your Tesco Clubcard or Nectar card - the supermarkets know far more about you than your bank, I'm sure!

They need to check your credit history as it's a fraud risk if they hire someone in financial difficulties. It's somehow indicative to how financially responsible you'd be- and therefore if you'd be someone they'd want to hire. The bank statements are also for security purposes and to make sure you've been doing what you've said you've been. It seems like a lot of hassle but it is standard procedure in financial services, plus if you get all the paperwork out of the way then it's a lot less hassle to take you on in a permanent basis which is better for you. It's a pain in the arse though! Xx

It's in the pensions dept so nothing high-flying. I've worked in the financial services for almost 20 years, though not a bank, and never come across this before. It's just so flawed. The statements won't prove anything.

Do bank with first direct though!

Credit Checks are standard practice. Can you not ask your bank manager to look at your accounts and confirm that there is no regular payments into them from employers and send them a letter?

This is normal pratice in banking. The credit check is to ensure you have financial integrity. In fact getting a ccj is something you could be sacked for.

They will not change the rules for anyone. You will have access to financial info and systems.

If you don't want the hassle then decline the job. On the otherhand it could quite easily turn into a perm job.

People working for banks are targetted by fraudsters and they actively try to get their own 'staff' into these jobs.

It's pretty standard now to do credit checks etc for financial jobs no matter how high or low flying.