Anyone managed to open an account?

mum2many

we really need to claim back the bank charges from Barclays, it would ease our debts no end.

I have a feeling that they will cancel our accounts though

So we need to open a new account but with bad credit history will anyone touch us?

we need an account to accept direct debits, think we could manage without cheque book but debit card would be helpful

feel like we are constantly going round in circles without the chance of getting out of the debt we have created, with no new account we cant risk the bank closing our account so will loose out on the charges:eek:

Have you any advice on claiming from barclays(money paid back, account closed etc) or of a great bank that would help us out of the debt trap?

CLAPTON

nearly all the major banks offer a Basic Bank account that does not carry out a credit check.
they do not allow overdrafts or give you a cheque book but most give you a cash card to withdraw money from ATMs and allow DD to be set up. some will give a solo or electron card.
do not of course open an account with anyone you already owe money to


see this site for more details

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/pdfs/bank_account.pdf

mum2many

Thanks, will have a good look at those.

Just had a nice email saying i have recieved £50 from quidco, so not all bad.

Now do i pay it off the b/card or pay for the boys swimming lessons?

Broken_hearted

We got our charges back from barclays and barclays mortgage. They didn't shut our accounts down, but made damn sure it was unpleasnt. I don't bank with them any more but OH still does, they tried to bar us from the local branch. As soon as our fixed term on the mortgage ends we are leaving them for good.
OH has his money paid into a Natwest step account and they have been great.

Floss

How much are the swimming lessons? if less than £50, then do both!:D

mum2many

Floss wrote:

How much are the swimming lessons? if less than £50, then do both!:D

£35 for each, so £70 in total .So i can only pay one or the other.

lil_me

Halifax do a cardcash basic account which you can do online & phone banking, direct debits etc and they issue VISA Electron cards.

MCBIRNIE25

I switched to a Natwest step account.
I still keep my halifax account, with like 2 quid in it, and let them have the pleasure of servicing an account not used much. It has a cheque book so I keep it for the very very few times i use cheques.
I also use a pre pay credit card from cashplus. I have enver had any problems with that.
The natwest account i did online, it was done within 7 working days, didnt have to visit a branch or anything.

oakdale_minx

I've opened a Step account, have an awful credit report, and had no problems - I don't think the Step account has a credit check. I applied online, tookk 5 minutes and just got a letter to sign, swiftly followed by a welcome letter with my a/c number .

laurajayne

I agree with pretty much everyone else.

I've just opened a NatWest Step account, my Solo card arrived today...I too am reclaiming bank charges, so wanted a bank account sorted just in case.

They've been fantastic, and it seems that everyone gets a debit (solo) card, so just what you need.

L

tigtig

I've just opened my account with the co-op, its a good basic account you can do DD, standing orders etc. Also you get a debit card its a visa electron but thats ok. Be aware that some places dont take the card tho.

I'm in the process of claiming bank charges back from natwest, knowing what natwest are like they will probably shut my account down when they loss and have to pay up the cash !!!!!