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New in This country...Please advise

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shahidemran
shahidemran Posts: 416 Forumite
Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
in Budgeting & bank accounts
Hi Mates!
I migrated to UK last year December. I'm leaving with my wife's parents. I have got my NI #, Listed in Electoral Register, Working as Network Manager in Local Council, Have utility bill on my nameand have Instant Saver account with Halifax. I tried to open Current account but they refused I think due to credit scoring. I desperately need Visa Card and Direct Debit, What shall I do?
"Money saving is often a science, investment is often an art."...MSE
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Comments

  • elvis_bloggs
    elvis_bloggs Posts: 8,276 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Plead insanity. 1a_y_tongue1.gif
  • Chadsman
    Chadsman Posts: 1,113 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Ask to open a basic bank account and after 6 months they will/might upgrade it to a 'normal' current account. You may want to check with them what their policy is on that though. I think HSBC will also upgrade a basic account if it is properly operated for 6 months.
    In the mean time if you need a visa card you might want to consider a secured credit card which is a card where you put down a deposit of up to around £200 and they give you a limit of £200 or occasionally a bit more. After 6 months of managing the account well you will then have sufficient decent credit history for a 'normal' credit card.
    The best known secured credit card provider is Capital One. see https://www.capitalone.co.uk/web/raid/templates/formdual_temp_10_001.jsp?page_id=10400&context_id=2&step=1&product_id=8678051
    God save the King!
    I'll save Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, J. M. W. Turner and Alan Turing.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    A couple of threads with good advices:

    new current account advice needed

    uk bank ac for Canadians
  • whitty999
    whitty999 Posts: 4,024 Forumite
    elvis_bloggs wrote:
    Plead insanity. 1a_y_tongue1.gif

    Many of them do
    Lucky No27
    .D.E.F..H..J.K.L.M.N.O.P.Q.R..U..X.Y.Z
    V,T,B,S,A,C,I,G,W
  • JoseChungsDoomsday
    JoseChungsDoomsday Posts: 823 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    You can set up DD's on an instant saver account, they just dont promote it. Also you get interest in it which is more than you'll get in any basic account.
    :santa2:
  • innovate
    innovate Posts: 16,217 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Ask your employer whether they will assist you getting a current account
  • shahidemran
    shahidemran Posts: 416 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi mates!
    I told you my story, Today I went to Halifax and requested them for current account, The lady advised me to try in next January, coz I already tried in March & July. She told me every time when your application refused you get negative towards your credit scoring, so you better try after completing six months.

    Now I'm looking for Capital One Classic Visa Card, I know its APR is typical 29.9% but I need to build my credit scoring. But before applying anybody would like to advise me, Can someone let me know the percentage of success? Shall I apply or wait till January?
    "Money saving is often a science, investment is often an art."...MSE
  • suniil
    suniil Posts: 447 Forumite
    Try HSBC, i'm pretty sure that you can open account immediately. Walk in with employment and address proof / passport for identity and visa status. (same with natwest as well).

    Good Luck!
  • SammyD_2
    SammyD_2 Posts: 448 Forumite
    Agree with Suniil - HSBC is usually pretty good (or it was with me when I arrived here) - but I needed £1500 to open the current account. My employer also arranged a current account with Natwest, so these two do seem the most flexible.

    Good luck...
  • shahidemran
    shahidemran Posts: 416 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Finally I managed to open a Currant Account with Barclay :j :j :j , But the lady told me that you should go for card over @ £4/Month, It will increase your chance for application acceptance :confused: Do I really need card cover?
    "Money saving is often a science, investment is often an art."...MSE
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