Opening Current Account question

EmGirl_2

Hi everyone,

I'm new here but I've been reading this board for a long time. I would like advice on a situation am in. I'm a student in my final year and I have a student's additions account with Barclays which unfortunately is always on the red (I go into my overdraft sometimes up to the reserve limit), a savings account with them and a credit card. I'm trying my best but I happen to be poor :embarasse and have had to leave my part time job last winter since the store I was working for closed. I have about three months before graduating, after which I intend to find and do any job to keep me going. What I want to do is open a current account with another bank. I could do this in June as soon as I graduate to start afresh and be able to put any salary I'll be getting there (I intend to close my Barclays acount by the end of the year) or I could open one right now, so I can deposit little amounts of money now and then which will come in handy when I graduate. I'm concerned though about other banks running credit checks on me. Any advice on which banks to open an account with? Banks that will be considerable easier in terms of credit checks? I'm really stressed about this because I want a current account to start afresh with and I have this fear that every bank will reject me :think:. All information will be appreciated.

Thanks.

book12

You could try opening a basic bank account: http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf

These accounts are similar to current accounts, but no overdraft and chequebook.

pmduk

I'd look at the list of basic accounts. They don't offer overdrafts or chequebooks. However, you need to address your overdraft with Barclays. No bank will offer you an overdraft without a credit check.

rb10

I'm assuming from your post that you haven't been over your arranged overdraft limit?

If this is the case, then you should be able to get a 'proper' bank account, and not rely on a basic one.

But which one to go for depends on your own circumstances ... if you are going to be able to stay above £0 with the new account, then I'd probably go for the Halifax Reward account; otherwise if you'll be overdrawn a lot, look for an account with a low interest rate for being overdrawn.

CLAPTON

why will a new bank a/c give you a 'fresh start'
your debt with barclays will still remain

managing two a/c may be more difficult that managing one