Best Bank Account when you have bad credit history??

rluc

My sister has a really bad credit history with LLoyds bank (and Lloyds credit card)
We have taken her remaining money out of the bank so it cannot be taken by the credit card section which is what has been happening.
What I am looking for is a basic bank account for her to deposit this money into to try and get her restarted whilst we try and sort out lloyds.
She lives in Coventry so hopefully a local branch if anyone one knows of anything??
Thanks

Waspeze

There's a coop in coventry and they give basic accounts (cashminder) to bankrupts so should for people with bad credit
http://www.cooponline.coop/cgi-bin/external/locator_bank.cgi?page=further&OfflineID=1215&category=Financial+Services

there are other ones that might be better but coop are good for me (get a visa electron and online banking)

craigers

Being in Englandshire and after a quick branch search, I'd say probably go for the Yorkshire Bank Readycash account. Its a basic bank account so no overdraft etc, but its great for everything else. You can set up direct debits and standing orders. Plus, in my eye, the jewel of this account is that you actually get a Maestro debit card. Most basic accounts only give you a cash card or Solo/Electron debit card (which many places don't accept), but the Maestro card is accepted virtually anywhere.

I personally don't have this account with Yorkshire, but I do have a Readycash account through sister company Clydesdale Bank, and I am extremely satisfied with it.

Yorkshire Bank also have no links to Lloyds so there's no worries about money being taken to pay off debts. They have a branch in Coventry and several within 10 miles of the city centre. See branches here... http://www.outletlocator.co.uk/nabgroup/YB/search.asp?postcode=&town=Coventry,COVENTRY&distance=&duplicate=2&selection=Yorkshire%20Banks&name=coventry

Waspeze

craigers wrote: »

Most basic accounts only give you a cash card or Solo/Electron debit card (which many places don't accept), but the Maestro card is accepted virtually anywhere.

Not doubting the rest of your post craigers but i've never had my electron refused.. the only place I know of, i think, that doesn't accept it is tesco online (never use it anyway) they do accept it in stores.

Have used it for online purchases from obscure places too :cool:

rluc

Thanks for your replies. Just another quick question is it a good or bad idea to try and apply for these accounts online or is it better to go into the bank (taking the bad history into account) as my sister is in a very fragile emotional state and whilst I have the time to sort this out with her online asap I would not be able to help her sort it in person for over a week or so.

craigers

Waspeze wrote: »

Not doubting the rest of your post craigers but i've never had my electron refused.. the only place I know of, i think, that doesn't accept it is tesco online (never use it anyway) they do accept it in stores.

Have used it for online purchases from obscure places too :cool:

Tesco online is one, but for me the biggest pain in the !!!! with Electron is that Pay-at-Pump doesn't accept them. Its a few years since I had my Electron card and I do believe they are more widely accepted these days, but at least with a Maestro I know I'm gonna be able to pay everywhere.

Waspeze

Again, I can only comment on coop but you can apply online or by phone just make sure you specify the cashminder else they'll try and open you a full account.

I went into the branch myself coz I thought being bankrupt it would be better explaining things etc but many on the BR board have applied online (or by phone).. there is a chance you may be referred but these usually come back as open in a few days.

This is only with regards to coop!

Waspeze

craigers wrote: »

Tesco online is one, but for me the biggest pain in the !!!! with Electron is that Pay-at-Pump doesn't accept them. Its a few years since I had my Electron card and I do believe they are more widely accepted these days, but at least with a Maestro I know I'm gonna be able to pay everywhere.

Good point with the pay at the pump thing .. something I never do anyway so wouldn't know if it were accepted or not!!

rluc

Thanks again, have decided to go with trying the coop first as they seem like the best option. I see what you mean about the cashminder account, this is definitely what she needs as it seems to give her no chance of getting into more debt with it. I am going to try sorting it over the telephone first hopefully.

rluc

Just a quick update. Have successfully managed to get my sister to open the cashminder account over the phone and just need to teake a passport in for ID. The woman on the phone was very helpful and made it as easy as possible as my sister has great difficulty dealing with these sorts of things.
Thanks for the quick replies here now I just need to start sorting her benefits out!!!

Waspeze

Good news :beer:

Glad it worked out!!

I've never had any problems with coop and they've always been helpful when i've gone in or spoken on the phone! (and no, I don't work for them )