The bank refuses to sign and stamp our bank statements

As a last resort, smile sweetly, and make noises about opening an account in another bank. If you have a lot of dosh, that may make HSBC treat you differently.

My local RBS branch stamped & signed my printouts with no questions. I just explained why I needed them, and they were very helpful. This was in 2011, so branch policies may have changed. I found that banks in smaller towns are more helpful, likely because staff recognize you when you come in. Having a healthy balance will also help.

Thanks so much for all the help everyone. Sorry for the confusion. I am sending in statements from a checking account which I do get in the mail. But DH has a savings account that's online only.

I went to 4 different branches with DH yesterday. Still was refused. We must not be persuasive enough. This has been so frustrating. I will file a complaint for sure. At the moment I'm just hoping the ones they mail will be acceptable. Sounds like based on what was said here it should all be fine. Thanks so much for putting my mind at ease guys.

larrabee- did you get your statements stamped from a bank in the US?  I've never had any problems there.  But, I've found that in the UK, it's against bank policy to stamp anything-- At least this has been the case with Lloyds, HSBC, and Natwest. 

I used one of my UK accounts.
I went to my local Bank of Scotland branch but since they merged with Halifax, I believe it was actually a Halifax account. Halifax and BOS are part of the Lloyds Banking Group!

My DH HSBC local branch didn't want to do it in February.  They made him go to a "main" branch in town.  They told him that they can print and stamp statements at any branch.  In May when we were reapplying he went to his local bank and they tried to refuse him again.  He said they could do it as per the main branch.  They told him he was mistaken.  He asked to see a manager so he could remove all him money from both his business and personal accounts and they magically were able to print them out...no manager needed.  Good luck!!|

My DH HSBC local branch didn't want to do it in February.  They made him go to a "main" branch in town.  They told him that they can print and stamp statements at any branch.  In May when we were reapplying he went to his local bank and they tried to refuse him again.  He said they could do it as per the main branch.  They told him he was mistaken.  He asked to see a manager so he could remove all him money from both his business and personal accounts and they magically were able to print them out...no manager needed.  Good luck!!|

Good for him!

Out of interest, if documents have to be from within the last 28 days, what do you do about payslips?

I have an appointment for settlement checking service on the 31st (the day I get paid), I don't think I'll have my payslip in hand until the day after, obviously the previous month's payslip will be more than 28 days old then?  Will they understand?

larrabee- did you get your statements stamped from a bank in the US?  I've never had any problems there.  But, I've found that in the UK, it's against bank policy to stamp anything-- At least this has been the case with Lloyds, HSBC, and Natwest. 

We had no problem getting our bank statements stamped at Lloyds.  Our bank manager even wrote a letter to go with the stamped copies, to verify that they were authentic.

We had no problem getting our bank statements stamped at Lloyds.  Our bank manager even wrote a letter to go with the stamped copies, to verify that they were authentic.

My husband did get Lloyds to stamp his statements but they refused to sign them. It was apparently OK, though as I got the ILR.