Discharged bankrupts and bank accounts - can anyone help please?

fascinated

Hi All,

By way of background, my father was made bankrupt in 2002 and has now been discharged for some considerable time.

However, he has still not been able to open a bank account. He has applied to a couple of banks, but each time has been told if the answer to the question "Have you ever been the subject of bankruptcy proceedings?" is "Yes", then the application is automatically rejected.

I find this unbelievable. He has been employed following his bankruptcy for six years now, and he is about to receive a substantial inheritance. Therefore, he wants a simple bank account into which he can have his weekly wages paid, and also into which he can deposit this lump sum. Apparently he is not allowed to have one.

Does anyone have any practical experience of dealing with this please, or does anyone know of any banks that would allow a discharged bankrupt to open a simple account? He is not asking for any overdraft or credit card.

Thanks for reading.

Fascinated x

cuddlymarm

Hi

The Co op Bank has no problem with BRs so I can't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to have a basic bank account with them. Its worth asking.

Good luck
Cuddles:)

fascinated

Hi cuddlymarm,

Thank you for replying so promptly.

I will obtain some information for him from the Co-Op.

I just didn't realise this far down the line after discharge that it would still be so difficult. I don't think he has pursued it enough. He is still embarrassed about the whole situation. I have friends who have been bankrupt who now have accounts, and in two cases new mortgages.

Thanks for the reply.

Fasci x

debtinfo

has he been applying online or going in to see the bank manager, i think if he goes in to see the bank manager and says that he has a substantial inheritance, they will quickly change their mind

fascinated

Thanks debtinfo.

He has been going into the branches, but he never gets to see the bank manager. Always a clerk who just fills in the forms and sends them off.

He has told them he is due to receive in the region of £120k in the next four weeks (his deceased's father's house sale is due to complete next week) but they are still not listening.

We will keep trying.

Fasci x

fascinated

Oh and I forgot to say, he always takes with him the papers from the OR to confirm his bankruptcy has been discharged.

debtinfo

Do try the co-op and barclays if you have not, i think yorkshire bank are good for a savings account as well, Failing that, there is no hope for the banks if they wont let someone invest £120K with them

fascinated

Just by way of an update, I called into our local branch of Nationwide this morning.

I was told there should be no problem in my father opening a Cash Card Account - a basic account into which he can have his wages paid and he can withdraw cash from the machine.

I collected an Application Pack and he just needs to fill that in and drop it into the branch with his identification evidence.

Fingers crossed we are getting somewhere.

Thanks to those who posted - your advice is appreciated.

Fasci xx

catdavlee

My husband was discharched on the 24th of march this year and the same week he went to the Co op bank and opened an account no problem, in fact they were very helpful and understanding so i give a big thumbs up to them

beentheredonethatstilhere

fascinated wrote: »

Just by way of an update, I called into our local branch of Nationwide this morning.

I was told there should be no problem in my father opening a Cash Card Account - a basic account into which he can have his wages paid and he can withdraw cash from the machine.

I collected an Application Pack and he just needs to fill that in and drop it into the branch with his identification evidence.

Fingers crossed we are getting somewhere.

Thanks to those who posted - your advice is appreciated.

Fasci xx

Get him to ring the Co-op and ask for a Cashminder account. It has a Debit card, DD's and SO's, telephone and internet banking, if he doesn't have a branch nearby then he can use the Post Office to deposit money in his account. They will usually be able to say straight away if he is accepted or if it is refered then within a week or so.

Deep_In_Debt

Barclays are BR friendly so might be worth asking them. Be sure to ask for a cash card account (basic) otherwise they will put you through for a normal account and it will be rejected.