Following your item in August 2017, I have experienced the same discrimination from Halifax over the use of my maiden and married surnames. I use my maiden name as my professional name and my passport also carries it. It is therefore still very much my identity.
I also have a stocks and shares holding (not with Halifax) in my maiden name. When I wish to withdraw funds they send me a cheque in my maiden name which Halifax is usually happy to accept. I also receive my salary (you’ll never guess what ... yes, in my maiden name!) into my Halifax account. HMRC has both my maiden and married names linked on my personal tax account, and any credit checks that are performed using either, always reveal credit history for my other name.
The point is, both names are my own. When I tried to cash a cheque in my maiden name for £30 I was told quite sharply by Halifax that it had been “too long” since I changed my name, and therefore it could no longer accept the cheque. I was advised to request it be rewritten. I am mortified it doesn’t see this as a problem.
I have since Googled my dilemma to see how long is too long to be married for Halifax customers, and this appears to range from six months to eight years or longer. Many people have had success with offering to show their marriage certificate.
Given the current #everydaysexism campaign I would like to see Halifax update its archaic practice. We should have the right to use all of our legally valid names.
I have banked with Halifax since I was 11, so my maiden name is not unknown to them and some common sense would be greatly appreciated.
AM (nee AAQ), Newcastle upon Tyne
It does seem extraordinary you encountered such inflexibility. The Halifax says it had not been made aware of your difficulties prior to you contacting us.
However, it seemed genuinely sympathetic and adds: “If a customer wishes to receive payments in a professional or maiden name, they can open an alternative account, linked to their existing account, providing they can present identification. It is not possible to operate a single bank account under two names simultaneously, in order to deter against money laundering and financial crime. We have spoken with the branch that AM visited and have contacted her to let her know that she will now be able to deposit the cheque in her maiden name, after presenting the relevant identification.”
It is also offering you a “gesture of goodwill” for the inconvenience.
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