Stamped Bank Statements - Bank Will Not Issue

Switching from Tier 2 to Spousal.  FLR(M) appointment in person scheduled for  Friday.  Went to bank today to ask for stamped bank statements because bank now only issues paper statements quarterly, and I'm not due my next batch until late March.  I have originals for the first three months of the six month period, but requested a full six months of stamped documents.

Here's where it gets tricky.  The bank no longer allows stamped documents out of the building, so I can't have it (despite me arguing with them).  They've printed out the last five months of statements on their printers in the bank (that is all that was available), and I guess it looks official and each page has my name and address on it, but I'm anxious that it won't be enough.  I've ordered the full six months from them, but they said it will basically look the exact same as what was printed in the bank (and likely won't come until after I have the appointment in any case).  No one in the bank will sign or stamp them.

I have originals, as mentioned, for the first part of the period, as well as all of my payslips and a letter from my employer, so they can match up these details to verify my income, etc.  So, here's my question - do I just go ahead and attend the appointment, or do we think I'll be bounced?  I have everything else I need, and my Tier 2 visa is still in effect, but I want to untie myself from this employer.  However, I don't want to wast the 800+ GBP this will cost.

Hoping someone will tell me that it's unlikely this will matter and I can relax, but alternately, I'd like realistic advice.  Any feedback?

Do the ones they printed look *exactly* the same as the ones you receive in the post? If so that should be fine

The requirement for them to be stamped is for online accounts or the type of statement that's just a transaction history printed by some banks.

No - it's not the same as what I receive in the post.  It says "transaction history" at the top and my name and address appear on every page.  The bank is RBS if anyone has any direct experience?

Here's where it gets tricky.  The bank no longer allows stamped documents out of the building, so I can't have it (despite me arguing with them).  They've printed out the last five months of statements on their printers in the bank (that is all that was available), and I guess it looks official and each page has my name and address on it, but I'm anxious that it won't be enough.  I've ordered the full six months from them, but they said it will basically look the exact same as what was printed in the bank (and likely won't come until after I have the appointment in any case).  No one in the bank will sign or stamp them.

I'm sure that you've tried all of this but what about trying another branch?
If they won't stamp the documents, (no-one, not even the manager?), I suppose asking for a cover letter (also acceptable I believe) would also prove fruitless?
Might it be time to make a bit of a fuss, threaten to withdraw all of your money if they don't comply?
Just for the record, my bank, BOS went above and beyond for me when we applied recently for my husband's spouse settlement visa.

I'm sure that you've tried all of this but what about trying another branch?
If they won't stamp the documents, (no-one, not even the manager?), I suppose asking for a cover letter (also acceptable I believe) would also prove fruitless?
Might it be time to make a bit of a fuss, threaten to withdraw all of your money if they don't comply?
Just for the record, my bank, BOS went above and beyond for me when we applied recently for my husband's spouse settlement visa.

I had problems with getting stamped bank statements in the past. I was told by a bank manager that it was a DPA issue - customers would request their statements stamped and would get them, but then would lose them after they left the bank and would complain that all of that personal information was now potentialy available to others.

I think it really does depend on the branch, despite the national edicts on stamping. Because occasionally people do get those statements. But I never had any luck at any of the HSBC branches in Norwich. That's why I'll be getting monthly statements until I get ILR. Better safe than sorry.

We bank with RBS and very recently ordered the last six months of our current account statements online.  They were received within days.  Perhaps our current account is a different type?  (We have Select Silver.) 

Anyways, to get to this online, we:

- Login
- Choose "Statements" from the navigation pane on the left side of the screen
- Choose "View Bank Statements"
- Choose the relevant account (if more than one) and hit "Next"
- Choose the relevant period and hit "Next"
- Select the relevant statement
- Select "Order Paper Copy"

RBS even confirms that this "statement provides what is typically requested by third parties for use as proof of income and identity, e.g. for Mortgage applications and Visa applications."

Thank you, vandyalum.  I hadn't gone paperless because I knew I'd need these statements, which I have kept upon receipt.  You can't order printed statements online if you've not gone paperless.  However, they suddenly switched to quarterly statements, and this has screwed up the timing.

I naively assumed that as a client of the bank, I could go to the bank, and get my statements without a problem.  I have an appointment in 48 hours, and I'm not sure what to do.  Do people think I'll be turned away for not having this piece of paper?

I have three months of originals plus printout for five months from the bank (the second two months of the first three months are overlapped by both originals and bank printouts) plus all necessary documentation from my employer, including payslips.  I'm a solicitor, so all of this has all over it the name of a well known law firm here in Scotland, if that's of any assistance?

I'm just paranoid about wasting time and lots of money for failure to be able to comply with this one requirement, but don't understand how likely it is to throw the definitive spanner into the works....

I hate using the word "sucks" but your situation really does suck!  It seems utterly ridiculous that RBS won't stamp statements. 

If RBS won't stamp the documents, would they be willing to write a letter confirming their authenticity?  Under Appendix FM-SE, this seems okay (at least for online accounts.)  If RBS is willing to write a letter, perhaps they could also include a bit about how they only issue quarterly statements now.

Here is a link to the Appendix: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/appendix-fmse/

I understand your paranoia - I'm also a lawyer (albeit US, and certainly not immigration), and I think as lawyers, we're the worst for being paranoid and exacting.

(As an aside, I have a real problem with the bank statements requirement.  What if you choose not to put your money in a bank?  I still know of people who keep their money in cash in a safe!) 

I agree with larrabee- try another branch.  I had problems with one branch and after repeated visits, went to another branch and had it sorted out easily.  DH had his name wrong some places (but not everywhere) on his banking stuff for years and after I casually suggested trying another branch, he reluctantly asked and they found the problem straight away and fixed it.  

If they still can't give you statements, you could ask for a letter confirming they don't give statements and what you have is the most current since they only do quarterly statements now....

Good luck!  

I had a similar problem at NatWest (RBS-owned). It took that massive system crash in June 2012 and me making a big fuss about how much inconvenience they were causing me and how it was required by the UKBA, for them to agree to let me ask a manager to print the statements, stamp and sign. Oddly the manager acted like it was no big deal and said it was something he'd done before. The day after I got my passport back from my application I switched banks - absolutely hate NatWest and they nearly made me miss the July 9 deadline.

Anyway, maybe it's just a case of making enough of a fuss and getting to the right manager? Are your printouts on bank letterhead?

I agree with the others about trying a different branch.  And seriously, threaten to withdrawal everything if they are not willing to provide you with proof on YOUR money.  If they won't budge, ask for direct contact information that the case worker can call to verify your accounts and their inability to provide you documentation on your accounts.  Also, can you bring a copy of the UKBA guidance where it says you need your statements stamped and see if that will sway them?

But I would keep the PEO appointment.  Worst case scenario, you are right there in front of the case worker and can explain the situation.  Maybe they would even be willing to call the branch to verify...  I honestly think the very worst case scenario will be that they will defer a same-day decision and ask you to send in the bank statements.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback.  This appears to be an RBS-wide thing, for information.  You can order statements, but it takes about a week to receive them, and if you get paper statements periodically, you have to go to the bank to place the order.  I thought I was being clever by waiting to get my statements as up to date as possible, but clearly not!

After a long argument with the manager of the branch, they called their customer service centre for me to file a formal complaint.  I had the guidance with me (which I had shown to the manager, who unhelpfully told me that just because the government needed it didn't mean he could do it (my answer, "Isn't the government your boss since we own 80% of you?" was possibly not helpful)).  The woman at the service centre offered to send over a letter saying the documents are authentic that will appear on letterhead, which the guidance says is acceptable. 

So, long story short, if you use RBS, either leave enough time to get your statements on original paper or kick up a fuss to get the printouts legitimated with a letter (though it has to come from central office, and not the bank itself!). 

Hopefully the PEO will understand on Friday!

Great job with being persistent!

Maybe we should start a thread of experiences with banks/branches with how long it takes to get statements and their approach to stamping printouts.

Might be useful for anyone in a similar situation

You can opt out of the quarterly statements from RBS and still get monthly statements.  We got a letter notifying us of the change to quarterly statements, and it did contain information on how to opt out, with an email link to click on.