How to get a bank account - if you're unbanked - basic bank accounts

Praxis99

I went BR in Sept 07. On the day of my BR I visited a branch of the Coop near the court and asked to have a chat with a member of staff in private.

I already had a Coop current account that had been - unlike my other finances - well managed with no overdraft. I explained I was about to go BR and needed to set up a Cashminder account. Because I was already a customer this was a simple process and I received my new Visa Electron bank card in about 7 days.

I did initially have some concerns about how widespread its acceptance would be but in use I have found it to be acceptable pretty much everywhere I would have previously used a debit card. You also have access to online banking which I find to be very useful. The lack of a cheque book has occasionally proved inconvenient but then you can't have everything (and postal orders have sufficed in these instances).

The lack of overdraft facility is not a problem to me since I've been there done that in the past and don't intend to do so again! Also the fact that failure to manage your account well could easily lead to its closure ensures that one has no choice but to keep on the straight and narrow financially speaking (I view this as a very good thing)

As my BR recedes into the past I hope to return in time to a normal debit account if for no other reason that it would be a "marker" of the financial rehabilitation that has slowly occurred over the last 3 yrs.

drymartini64

Both Milliband and the BBA tell lies. About 6 months ago I tried four banks for an account. It is fair to say I did want a Debit Card as well. NO one offered me a basic account without a Debit Card. They all refused me even though I do not owe now any money to anyone at all. I have a Credit Card and I have a mail order ACCOUNT .AND BOTH ARE IN BETTER THAN PERFECT ORDER. The banks were Nat West, and Yorkshire. The Alliance and Leicester B/S and Castle Minster which is a credit union and is supposed to help the less well off. I would have had two pensions and a carers allowance going in the account as well.

I willl be honest here and say I do have a Basic bank account with Nationwide, taken out just before my fall from grace but I am now back to normal. I wished to change because Nationwide would not, after 4 years, upgrade my Cashcard account.

IT is ironic that they are now changing mine and several 1000`s of others accounts to a Debit Card account. It is better but I cannot draw money out abroad with it, even though it will be a Debit card. Unlike now where I can. Overall it is better and I can manage abroad if need be by either taking enough cash or with my Fair FX Euro card. I believe they are only doing this to be in conjunction with their latest wheeze of denying people the use of the counter staff if they want less than £100. I am 64 so I do not subscribe to the theory that most older people are incapable of using a machine. If you are dyslexic or disabled in the body then Nationwide should use discretion but most of the old people I know, and I have just moved in to a warden controlled building for over 60`s where I am well the youngest, are very cute and quite capable of using an ATM and the phone or Internet to buy goods.

drymartini64

Martin F, again. I took my DL and two utility bills plus my passport and up to date bank statements and phone bills and pension details and they still refused me.

dacado

i don't have a problem with credit. I don't have problem opening numerous savings accounts. I do have a big problem because invarably if I were to appy for a new bank account as I don't have a driver's licence, or a passport and aren't on benefits no banks want me as I can't supply the narrow range of documents and they have no discretion. This really !!!!es me off........
I Work in a bank .....you can use a tax coding notice which you can ask for at tax office along with utility bill or tenancy agreement.

Beverley_Bill

I got myself into difficulty through illness and subsequently losing my job. CAB advised me to get a new basic bank account and I searched the market. Barclays seemed the best option for me and I wish I had been with them 30 years ago. It took me about 20 minutes in the managers office for an interview and she explained what would happen as my circumstances improved and what they could offer me. The staff are friendly, the call centres speak English and I even have a direct line to my local branch. I am currently going through the process of a DRO with CAB

paul2706

In response to the question of Basic Bank Accounts I have to agree with the majority of people who said they had problems getting an account. I have very poor credit history so expected the worst case scenario and I was not disappointed! I tried Nat West, RBS, Santander, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Halifax, Nationwide and have been turned down by them all, all the major banks do a credit search so they informed me.

ylesia

I was pleasantly surprised a couple of days to find that Nationwide accepted my mum for a cash card account! She owes around £35000 and has been on a DMP with the CCCS for 5 years paying a minimum £5 to each creditor. Not sure what other people's experience are with them but I was amazed She didn't even meet their criteria for ID and it had to be referred to head office, I keep on expecting them to phone and say they made a mistake!

Mjrcarr

I just wanted to say a massive thanks for the info on banks in last months news. Believe me I am no fan of banks. I have been through the mill over the years. I was declared bankrupt a few years back and had no bank account for many years.

After bankruptcy period was over I still really struggled to get an account. I finally got a basic account which gave me a cashline card and that was about it

I then found out about the clydesdale bank (I live in Scotland) who's basic account gave you a maestro card. This allowed me to buy online and pay for stuff like most other people

I learned the hard way and now have a fantastic credit score. I recently paid for my score from experian and they said it's 996 out of 1000. Very pleased however a few months back when I was struggling with my business I asked the clydesdale bank to lend me £100 untill the next day. They refused I was mad. I had proof there was a payment due within 24 hours for over £1000. They just were not interested. They wouldn't even give me an overdraft facility

after Reading last months news about all the different accounts available. I applied online for the HBOS reward current account. I was accepted and it's now set up. The bank even paid me £50 for them to change over all my direct debits from previous account to the new one.

Assuming i pay in £1000 per calendar month they will give me £5 per month. And due to the fact i am self employed they have given me a very helpfull overdraft facility. Granted it's for 120 days and interest and charge free, however I'm hoping to be able to extend this after the initial 130 days period is over.

The branch manager I spoke to said just in case £1000 is not enough of an overdraft he increased it to £2500 no questions asked. GOODBYE CLYDESDALE BANK and thanks for nothing over the past 6 years. HELLO HBOS and thank you

I never thought I would see the day that j would be saying thank you to a bank. Trust me this is a big deal for me and takes a hole load of pressure of me

FINALLY. THANK YOU MARTIN LEWIS

p.s. I forgot to check as i was typing this out from my iPhone please excuse the spelling mistakes it's 01:36 in the morning. I probably should have fond this from my laptop and checked it before sending

cagsy

I work with teenagers, many of whom need a bank account to apply for and receive their Education Maintenance Allowance. I try to encourage them to open a bank account before their 16th birthday, because they will only need their parent's signature, but many forget to do so.Some don't have passports, most don't have a driving license and so they don't have any other ID other than a birth certificate (if they're lucky). Can anyone offer advice please?

glider3560

cagsy wrote: »

I work with teenagers, many of whom need a bank account to apply for and receive their Education Maintenance Allowance. I try to encourage them to open a bank account before their 16th birthday, because they will only need their parent's signature, but many forget to do so.Some don't have passports, most don't have a driving license and so they don't have any other ID other than a birth certificate (if they're lucky). Can anyone offer advice please?

Most banks will accept a birth certificate when accompanied by parental ID. This usually works up to age 18 with most banks.

If they don't have a birth certificate, they can get a copy from the General Register Office: http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/