Current account application outcomes

Everything you need to know about application outcomes and what to do next.

Understanding your application outcome

Here’s what your application outcome means for you.

  • Not approved

    We know it can be disappointing to hear your application has not been approved.

    Here are some of the reasons this might happen, and what you can do next.

    Possible reasons

    • Your financial or credit history (whether your finances could be impacted negatively by having this account).
    • You have not met some criteria such as eligibility or other.

    What you can do

Consider our other current accounts

You can check if another account could suit you better, based on your age, residence status and credit history.

Explore our current accounts

  • Successful with a smaller overdraft amount

    Your application has been approved. But we were not able to offer you the full overdraft amount you requested, or to offer you an overdraft at all.

Reason

Your financial or credit history (whether your finances could be impacted negatively by the overdraft).

We reach this decision using automated checks based on information from your application, information from Experian (the credit reference agency) and information we have about any accounts you have with us.

What you can do

  • Contact Experian to check your credit report (and amend it if needed).
  • If you have negative notes on your credit file, wait before making any more applications and try improving your credit score.
  • If you believe there’s been an error, you can appeal our decision.

Appeals are unlikely to be accepted unless there’s been an error.

Contact us (quoting the application number shown in the application portal or given to you by one of our colleagues) by:

We’ll need you to send us the last three bank statements from your main current account (if it’s not with us). We’ll send you an email explaining how to provide these online, unless you prefer to include them in an email or bring them in branch. If you’re applying for a joint account, we’ll need statements from both of you.

If we then decide we can offer you a higher overdraft amount:

  • we’ll automatically change the overdraft amount
  • we may carry out another credit check which may show on your credit file again (including on any joint applicants).

Documents you email to us may not be protected, depending on your email provider.

We’ll try to get back to you within 10 business days.

  • Successful

    Your application has been approved. You’ll soon receive your account details and information about how to start using your new current account.

    Next steps

    • We’ll provide your account number and sort code in your application portal (and for some applications we may send you a confirmation letter too).
    • You’ll receive your debit card and PIN separately by post.

    Go to application portal

  • Providing documents before an outcome

    Sometimes, we need more information before we can complete your application.

What we might ask for

  • Proof of identity such as a passport or UK photocard driving licence.
  • Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement.
  • Proof of income such as 3 months of payslips or bank statements.

Your proof of identity and proof of address must be different

If we’ve asked for proof of address, use a different document.

How to provide documents

We’ll send you a secure link to upload your documents digitally.

You can also bring documents to a branch or send copies by post.

Go to application portal

Get updates in your application portal

Once you've submitted your application and received a text message or email from us saying we received your application, you can check the status of it by logging into your application portal.

Be scam aware

Never tell ANYONE your OTP. If someone calls you and asks for this, it's a scam.

About the application portal

The application portal is a secure place to see the progress of your applications.

If we need any more documents from you before we can confirm the outcome of your application, we'll also ask for these via the portal.

Applications for some account types will not appear in the portal.

Application help

We'll usually contact you with a decision or to ask for more information within 24 hours. If you do not hear from us or need more information, contact us.

Call us on: 03457 212 212

Or from outside the UK, call us on: +44 3457 212 212

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 5pm. Call charges apply.

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is a free to use, government supported advice service to help you with a variety of financial situations. Their aim is to provide you with clear money and pension guidance, online or over the phone.

Get help with banking, budgeting and credit

Watch out for fraud

Fraudsters are posing as us and sending fake text messages and emails. Always check you're on our genuine website by checking the web address at the top of your browser.

Learn about common and new scams, find helpful tips and guides for staying safe, and discover independent organisations available to help you in the fight against fraud.

Find more on our security and fraud hub

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Legal information

The Co-operative Bank reserves the right to decline any application.

Whether we can offer you an account, and whether we can offer you credit, depends on your circumstances and our lending policy. We may be able to offer a product that's different to the one advertised.

The Co-operative Bank and smile are trading names of The Co-operative Bank plc, which is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co-operative Bank and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.

Please click here for further information or visit www.fscs.org.uk

Not found what you're looking for?

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