Applying For Current Accounts When In Debt

Hamble_2

Is it possible to apply for a basic current account with no overdraft, even though you have a poor credit rating and outstanding debt? Would Nationwide turn a person down for example?

Hamble_2

Forgot to add, £100 would be used to open it and no balance transfers would be taking place.

cifpower

You should be able to go to any bank and open a basic account provided you are not bankrupt or on the CIFAS list.

Hamble_2

what is the cifas list?

Darryl

My understanding is that everyone is entitled to a basic bank account. By definition they have no credit facilities, so would be open to you even if you had previous credit problems. If Nationwide don't let you have one, try HSBC or the Post Office.

Darryl.

tullula_2

A friend of mine was in a similar situation and had a bad credit score, HSBC, gave him a basic account. Hope this helps,Good Luck.

Hamble_2

Thanks everyone for your help

Fatboy_NSS

The CIFAS list is a list of known fraudsters. As long as you're not bankrupt or on the list then any bank will open a basic account for you as long as you can prove your identity.

moggins

I have a rubbish credit rating (thanks to my ex) and even though I've been a Halifax customer for nearly 20 years and they were aware of my circumstances then and now they refused to upgrade my account to a current one recently (Tesco don't take Visa Electron online).

I went to Natwest and was able to speak to a real live person, she had no problem at all with offering me their basic account which came with a Solo debit card. At least I can carry on getting my shopping delivered