Basic bank account feedback thread

astra46

Anyone else have a Virgin Money Essential Account? Sadly it looks like these are no longer being offered by Virgin Money.

If i set up a Virgin Money or another savings account, can i transfer money into my savings account from my Essential Account over the phone? Thanks

jonesMUFCforever

Jonibobs wrote: »

I applied for a basic Bank Account for work purposes at Santander Bank in Morecambe. I had with me my UK Driving Licence, Passport, Government tax letter as well as one or two others for Identification.

The lady in the bank started to arrange an appointment, before informing me, the identification I had with me would not be sufficient to open a basic bank account. I asked the reason why?, and was told I needed an official form of address. I thought my Passport Driving Licence an Tax Letter, were the most official amyone could have.

Apparently only a Utility Bill do Santander officially accept as proof of address. Being a lodger and not the home owner or rental tenant, I were unable of providing one.

I mentioned that according to their website my identification were more than sufficient.

Anyhow disappointingly my appointment was cancelled. An I were left feeling a little Grudged

I don't know what the sales culture is like at Santander these days - but I wonder if you had just gone in and said'I want to open a bank account' whether they would have been more forthcoming with you.
Basic accounts probably don't count as a ''sale'' for them so fobbed you off.
Please learn this for future applications.
Is there any reason why you cannot apply online?
I don't know of any other organisation that would refuse a photo driving licence as proof of address. Indeed most places would accept single identification if you are a UK citizen.

This is what I found by Googling

https://www.santander.co.uk/assets/s3fs-public/2018-09/Customer%20Identification%20Requirements.pdf

Nic246

Barclays basic account - easy application and good customer service. Only issue I had was with proof of address as I recently moved and had nothing to provide but ended up getting it sorted.

I would avoid HSBC as I have only ever experienced issues with them.

Pengy1979

Do any of these basic accounts have a contactless debit card as mine with santander isn't contactless. 

colsten

You could try FlexBasic

mab3000

Pengy1979 said:

Do any of these basic accounts have a contactless debit card as mine with santander isn't contactless. 

Barclays basic account offers a contactless debit card. 

Redwards86

So I have a hardly stellar past with almost every UK bank following a substantial bankruptcy. 

I’m now with Monzo as they didn’t do any checks apart from identification. OK I don’t have an overdraft but I don’t want one and no one would give me one anyway!
I’d certainly recommend Monzo to anyone! The app is fantastic and helps me budget by having all my bills in a separate pot so I know what money I actually have to spend and it tracks each transaction into a category such as groceries or transport etc.