Best student account if your credit rating isn't the best?

sgx.saint

Anyone recommend other banks to try?

I cannot use HBOS, RBS or HSBC.

netally

Couldn't you just get a basic bank account? If you're on a DMP it might break your agreement to get an overdraft.

sgx.saint

I have a basic account, but if I could get a small overdraft on a student account, say £200 then I would be a little more happy as I have an extra safety net.

It wouldnt break my DMP either. Thanks though.

Snow_Angel

Try Smile - the on-line bank accounts for the Co-operative bank. They have student accounts. I was turned down by HSBC, but Smile granted me the full £1800 0% overdraft straight away.

sgx.saint

Thanks, will give it a go!

rhig

It may be best to hold off more applications for a few months if you can, the three banks almost certainly will have credit checked you which will show up on your record. Too many applications at once looks bad.

Build up a good reputation with RBS; try getting a couple hundred more every couple of months. Overdraft increases don't usually require a credit check and are based on your previous relationships with the group. Don't apply for anything from Natwest as they will know about your RBS account but as Snow Angel says Smile might be a good bet, IMHO trying to get an account within the next few months may be risky for your credit history.

By building a good reputation I mean push as much money through the account as you can, if you pay rent monthly you have a sizable amount to move in and out, I don't mean take £200 in cash out then walk into the bank and deposit it, this is obvious but by taking cash out of machines when you walk past every few days and giving it to your parents in return for a cheque will make you more desirable in the banks eyes if they look into your spending. It looks like you are a high spender whose parents will bail out if they cannot repay, RBS will salivate at what they believe you will spend when you leave uni and what kind of graduate loan you will take out.