Basic bank account feedback thread

Meggles_2

I'm a community support worker in adult learning disabilities. Yesterday I supported client to request a basic bank account at Halifax. We were told she could not open one in the branch, only online and would not be allowed to use the counter for transactions, only ATM's. Then they told her she would need to open the account with £100 'just overnight to activate the account'. Is this really true? Surely not

pmduk

Yes it's true, she can't use Halifax counters, she can however deposit and withdraw cash at the Post Office.

Ash73

Hi. Don't know if anyone can help me. I've been refused a basic current account with the coop because of my credit rating - which seems ridiculous. If anyone can offer any advice I'd be really, really grateful as I don't know what to do next.

bizzle87

After reading the article on basic bank accounts I went to a Barclays branch to set one up as it will make bill paying much easier for me. When I went in to see the personal advisor I was told that a credit check was required on all their accounts. I have a pretty terrible credit score and a CCJ against my name so I didn't think there was much point in going through with it only to get declined. Can anyone suggest a bank where a credit check is not required?

dr_adidas01

bizzle87 wrote: »

After reading the article on basic bank accounts I went to a Barclays branch to set one up as it will make bill paying much easier for me. When I went in to see the personal advisor I was told that a credit check was required on all their accounts. I have a pretty terrible credit score and a CCJ against my name so I didn't think there was much point in going through with it only to get declined. Can anyone suggest a bank where a credit check is not required?

None of the major banks will provide an account without first doing some sort of credit check.

The only products that don't seem to be credit checked for are savings accounts, most only do an ID verification check.

If you want an account without a credit check then your going to have to use one of those organisations that charge you a fee for having an account like secure trust or others of that ilk.

solentsusie

bizzle87 wrote: »

After reading the article on basic bank accounts I went to a Barclays branch to set one up as it will make bill paying much easier for me. When I went in to see the personal advisor I was told that a credit check was required on all their accounts. I have a pretty terrible credit score and a CCJ against my name so I didn't think there was much point in going through with it only to get declined. Can anyone suggest a bank where a credit check is not required?

I applied online for a Barclays current account, was pretty sure I would be declined for the 'normal' account as I have just got my credit files and seen a couple of old defaults on there - although when I applied for a FlexDirect account with Nationwide last year I was approved immediately with a cheque book and debit card but no overdraft, not that I need one and I never asked for one anyway!


Although Barclays declined me for the mainstream current account it immediately asked me if I wanted to continue to apply for the basic cash card account. Everything went through really quickly and I received an text message saying my application was approved, received the PIN and card very quickly and have set up my mobile banking etc. in well under a week.


Every bank will do an identity check on you, this is par for the course. If you know you have something detrimental on your credit file best to talk to them about it if you are in a branch. Online you know you will be automatically credit checked, but Barclays automatically offered me a basic account. I have never had that with any other bank.

dr_adidas01

solentsusie wrote: »

I applied online for a Barclays current account, was pretty sure I would be declined for the 'normal' account as I have just got my credit files and seen a couple of old defaults on there - although when I applied for a FlexDirect account with Nationwide last year I was approved immediately with a cheque book and debit card but no overdraft, not that I need one and I never asked for one anyway!


Although Barclays declined me for the mainstream current account it immediately asked me if I wanted to continue to apply for the basic cash card account. Everything went through really quickly and I received an text message saying my application was approved, received the PIN and card very quickly and have set up my mobile banking etc. in well under a week.


Every bank will do an identity check on you, this is par for the course. If you know you have something detrimental on your credit file best to talk to them about it if you are in a branch. Online you know you will be automatically credit checked, but Barclays automatically offered me a basic account. I have never had that with any other bank.

Halifax do it, as do Lloyds so do TSB and also Bank Of Scotland, RBS/Natwest also tell you what account they can offer you when you apply online also.

The only one's I can think of that don't is HSBC and Nationwide.

rob_2512

Can anyone tell me if you can have more than one basic account?

This is prompted by a friend who struggles with money and repeatedly has charges for rejected direct debits, not helped by their benefits being 4 weekly but the direct debits being monthly.

I'd like to suggest having a separate account just for the regular direct debits with a standing order 4 weekly on the day the benefits are paid for 1/13 of the annual total to ensure that the DDs were covered. This would leave the balance as a regular amount every 4 weeks for other spending.

Would this work?

luvchocolate

Hi.. I have 2 basic bank accounts with the coop, salary into one and direct debits go out anything spare goes into the other one, works for me

ConnieOC

Post Office Card Accounts are great for cash withdrawals, but you can't use them as a debit card.