ManCityFan wrote:
They don’t make things easy Stuart, you just have to keep trying and face each obstacle, it’s like talking to the council, I feel confident you will get there eventually be positive.
Tell me about it
Just a bureaucratic version of the roads really - everytime you come out there seems to be one more obstacle in your way making driving more difficult
Sussex wrote:
I didn't think about that, but why doesn't your accountant automatically send you a copy of your return?
I've always wondered that, actually, but it's never been an issue before.
They send me duplicates of my accounts, tax computation and supporting schedules, but not the tax return itself. So I sign the tax return, send it back to them, and they lodge it with HMRC electronically. But there's hardly anything on the tax return itself, and the figures are all in the accounts and supporting schedules.
So I sent copies of my accounts and supporting schedules, and the covering letter from my accountant, to HSBC, but that's not good enough evidence, apparently - they want the return itself.
Problem is, I suspect, that apparently many of the staff dealing with the applications have been seconded in from other departments, and are taking a very box-ticking approach. If they were more experienced in it all I suspect they might have excercised more discretion and accepted my evidence.
Apparently the banks are only supposed to do basic KYC (know your customer) and AML (anti-money laundering) checks, so to a large degree simply verifying your identity, address etc. Obviously I'm biased, but to that extent I think the stuff I've sent them is adequate, particulary since I've banked with them for around 30 years.
Anyway, submitted my application on the first day (4 May) of the scheme.
First I heard was a phone call on Saturday afternoon (oddly enough, but apparently they're working overtime to clear the backlog). Unfortuately, was in the garden trying to fix the lawnmower (rough-grass-with-lots-of-weeds-mower, more accurately
) so missed it. Voicemail said to call back Monday to Friday, 9-5.
So called first thing on Monday, several times, went to voicemail, surprise, surprise. Presumably having the public holiday off.
Called first thing Tuesday, was then told I needed to forward copy of actual tax return. (But at least I got straight through to the chap dealing with my case, who answered in seconds
)
So emailed the chap at my accountants who does my return, asking if he could forward copy, hoping for response within hour or two.
Of course, not heard a peep yet. And having visions of them working from home, and having to travel 50 miles to the office just to sort me out, then billing me for their time
So even if my accountant comes up with the goods in a couple of days, suspect it'll be another day or two before HSBC assess the evidence, and email me the forms to sign. Then, from what I'm reading, might take another few days until the money 'drop' takes place, which is apparently when the bank transfers a huge amount of the cash into lots of different accounts at once.
So could be well into June before the money arrives. Or I could have it by the end of the week. Or end up not getting it at all. Who knows?
And it's not that I'm desparate for the money, because I've still got most of my SEISS grant - the loan is mainly for bills later in the summer.
But it's the uncertainty of it all that wears you down
Anyway, I'm sure there are people worse off than me, and to an extent I may turn out to be lucky banking with HSBC, because I've not got a business account, and those with other banks without business accounts are finding it even more difficult to get a loan, never mind those whose banks aren't accepting applications at all.
Starling seems to be among the worst - they've been doing credit checks, apparently, which wasn't supposed to be the way it was done - as I said, simple KYC and AML checks only.
In terms of administration, Santander seems to be the worst - utter shambles.
Of course, there are issues with the SEISS, and lots of people falling through the cracks in terms of eligibility. But to me it's been utterly straightforward compared to the bounce back loans.
But even though the Flymo parts I've ordered are out of stock and will probably take a couple of weeks minimum to arrive, suspect they'll be here before the bounce back loan
Anyway, that's tonight's tale of woe