Basic bank account query

sillylittlejill

Hi guys

I'm looking to open a basic bank account. I have an old current account with NatWest who I owe £500 to and a Barclays Current account which is fine but a few people on here have told me to open a basic account as I have defaulted on my Barclaycard due to sudden unemployment.

I was going to apply for the Abbey Basic account but I was in there with a friend and completely by chance I overheard someone say that you can't have a basic account and another current account elsewhere.

I can't get Citibank account as it says you have to earn over £20,000 a year or something, and the co-op one isn't suitable as there isn't a bank anywhere near where I live.

Where should I go? I'm trying to be pro-active so wanted to get it done today. Is the HSBC basic account any good? What will I have to take with me to open an account?


xxx

book12

Please see the following link for a list of basic bank accounts along with their facilities. http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf

I would recommend HBOS, LTSB, Yorkshire bank, and Natwest/RBS, as they have debit cards with them. The debit card for LTSB can only work in their cash machines only, and HBOS account can't use branch service. The decision is up to you.

Please see their website for ID requirements.

sillylittlejill

Thanks I can't apply for the Natwest/RBS one as I owe them £500 and frankly the way they have treated me as a customer over the past few years is disgraceful.
The HBOS one would probably be the best for me but not sure where to go, which HBOS bank am I looking for? Is it Lloyds TSB or Halifax, or do they do the same account?

I was looking at the Citibank accounts but can't find the sterling account on the website? Can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks xxx

book12

sillylittlejill wrote: »

Thanks I can't apply for the Natwest/RBS one as I owe them £500 and frankly the way they have treated me as a customer over the past few years is disgraceful.
The HBOS one would probably be the best for me but not sure where to go, which HBOS bank am I looking for? Is it Lloyds TSB or Halifax, or do they do the same account?

I was looking at the Citibank accounts but can't find the sterling account on the website? Can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks xxx

Go to Halifax. They have application packs to pick up. You only need to provide one form of ID. The address could be checked against the voters roll.

I don't know anyhting about Citibank accounts. Sorry.

mr284830

....for the HSBC Basic Bank account, you will have to complete an application form which will be given to you by your local branch, and as far as documents required, you will need a document for Identification (this could be a valid passport or driving licence) and a document for verification of your address (a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months)

katthehat

sillylittlejill wrote: »

Hi guys

I'm looking to open a basic bank account. I have an old current account with NatWest who I owe £500 to and a Barclays Current account which is fine but a few people on here have told me to open a basic account as I have defaulted on my Barclaycard due to sudden unemployment.

I was going to apply for the Abbey Basic account but I was in there with a friend and completely by chance I overheard someone say that you can't have a basic account and another current account elsewhere.

I can't get Citibank account as it says you have to earn over £20,000 a year or something, and the co-op one isn't suitable as there isn't a bank anywhere near where I live.

Where should I go? I'm trying to be pro-active so wanted to get it done today. Is the HSBC basic account any good? What will I have to take with me to open an account?


xxx

I have just opened a co-op cashminder basic account, no branch anywhere near me, got the number off a thread on here and applied over the phone, was told after answering some questions i had been accepted, i then got my stuff through the post and got id documents verified at post office (they charge £6.85 for the service) it was easier & cheaper than travelling to the nearest branch. You get a card to use and can use any post office also as a 'sort of' local branch.
hth.

YorkshireBoy

book12 wrote: »

Go to Halifax. They have application packs to pick up. You only need to provide one form of ID. The address could be checked against the voters roll.

You can apply for the Halifax 'Easycash' account online, without having to submit ID if the CRA search finds you.

sillylittlejill

thanks everyone. I'm going to go and see if I can apply online for the Halifax one.

thanks for helping

book12

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

You can apply for the Halifax 'Easycash' account online, without having to submit ID if the CRA search finds you.

Yes. Forgot to mention that as an alternative.

book12

The Halifax Easycash account comes with a VISA Electron card, not a VISA debit like your current bank Barclays.