Basic Bank Account Thread

savagej

They can't no, at the moment. I would look out for a change to the terms and conditions in future though. They can refuse to open one as they share data group wide, but they dont have the right of offset yet group wide unless it is within the old HBOS Group.

Zworg2

Desperately seeking advice.

I have been looking through this site / thread and havent found anything quite similar to our situation.

My wife has an unconditional offer from University. She has been accepted for accomodation, and has student finance set up.
However for this all to go through she has got to have her own bank account (it cant go through mine understandably, we checked)

The problem is that we have bad credit history, are about 8 months into a DMP and she does not have either a passport or a driving licence (or any of the other items that tend to be in 'Proof of Identity' lists like a Firearms licence)

We have tried getting her added to my account but no luck.

Please any suggestions of accounts that she could, or is likely to be able to, open in order to have her finance paid to her.

Without a bank account it appears she is not going to university :eek:, so we are quite desperate.

Thanks in advance

pmduk

Try Barclays or the co-op, they're often sympathetic in these cases.

jalexa

Zworg2 wrote: »

The problem is that we have bad credit history, are about 8 months into a DMP and she does not have either a passport or a driving licence (or any of the other items that tend to be in 'Proof of Identity' lists like a Firearms licence)

First of all have you tried, or are you making assumptions?

Read this, which is the "official" HM Government guide to Basic Bank Accounts.

http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/_assets/downloads/pdfs/your_money/bank_accounts_table.pdf

The only grounds for refusal are those listed. A "DMP" and "bad credit history" are NOT grounds for refusal.

I agree that providing documentary proof of ID can be difficult, especially for a married woman with no independent financial history, but having made a choice of bank your wife needs to address that head-on in branch. If the bank staff are unhelpful post again for further advice. Or phone the Money Advice Service helpline for advice.

Your wife has a right not to be to a victim of sexual or religious discrimination, or financial exclusion.

pmduk

Jalexa, it isn't as easy as that. There is no legal right to a bank account. As private companies banks are entitled to choose who they deal with, neither are they required to give a detailed reason for their decline. A simple you do not meet our criteria is often all that is stated. And for obvious reasons, they are not required to state their criteria in advance.

jalexa

pmduk wrote: »

... it isn't as easy as that...

I agree with you up to a point, but I think that the FSA Money Made Clear (now Money Advice Service) believe that there is "agreement" with the banks that for a Basic Bank Account there is a presumption of acceptance except in the outlined circumstances. This issue of financial exclusion won't be solved unless the boundaries are tested. That was really the first point about my advice - apply and then explore the married woman's ID requirements test.

Although I *think* I know what he was saying, the poster's reference to "firearms licence" as suitable ID was somewhat negative. I sensed that he was reading from the list without his wife actually having applied in branch and then failling to "agree", reasonable in all the circumstances, ID requirements with the bank. However, I stand to be corrected by the poster.

In this case the "poster's wife", if she hasn't done so already, should apply in branch and attempt to agree appropriate documentation. If there is difficulty there, HM Government's appointed advice charity "Money Advice Service" should be consulted.

Perhaps at that point I will be able to fully agree with you but until then the "ineligibility" factors (if I can put that differently) are as stated in the table.

pmduk

Read though this forum and you'l find many people being left without bank accounts. The Money Advice Service may believe there is a presumed acceptance. But in real life there isn't. The booklet referred to says that the bank should tell you why. However this usually amounts to, "you don't meet our criteria."

One tip I will give the OP, make sure that you ask for the basic bank account by it's product name. Branch staff are often incentivised to upsell to standard bank accounts.

Providing you are on the electoral register it is often a good idea to apply online as this sometimes avoids ID problems.

In addition, the useful Toynbee Hall guide on providing ID for an application can be downloaded from here

beadgirl87

I am considering getting a basic account as I am trying to control budgeting. I will use it for my minimal weekly spending and let my salary pay into my other account to reduce my large overdraft.
My credit rating is fine however I applied for a virgin cc a few weeks ago and got rejected,(because of large overdraft) so I don't really want another search on my account so soon after. However, if I ask for a basic account because I don't want a credit search done, will the new bank find me suspicous and not want to serve me? Do I just say, I want a basic account for spending?
I have account and cc with lloyds and a loan with barclay's so I was going to go to nationwide. But thinking about it, could I just get one from lloyds as I'm already a customer and then it will show up on my online banking?
thanks in advance.

daveandjadea

Can anyone tell me...

I applied for a basic bank account at Natwest but was denied due to 'bankruptcy' - I'm not bankrupt but I do have a debt relief order, either way for their basic bank account should I have been refused for this?

You have to at least have access to a basic bank account.
The job centre have actually told me that I need a bank account to be in receipt of benefits - as most employers pay employees into their bank account, not having a bank account set-up means you're not 'ready for work'. Thus you're breaking your job seekers agreement if you do not have a bank account, and in turn risk losing your benefits. Of course the job centre are hardly a reliable source of information, and you can appeal against such a decision, assuming you don't starve in the meantime.

book12

beadgirl87 wrote: »

I am considering getting a basic account as I am trying to control budgeting. I will use it for my minimal weekly spending and let my salary pay into my other account to reduce my large overdraft.
My credit rating is fine however I applied for a virgin cc a few weeks ago and got rejected,(because of large overdraft) so I don't really want another search on my account so soon after. However, if I ask for a basic account because I don't want a credit search done, will the new bank find me suspicous and not want to serve me? Do I just say, I want a basic account for spending?
I have account and cc with lloyds and a loan with barclay's so I was going to go to nationwide. But thinking about it, could I just get one from lloyds as I'm already a customer and then it will show up on my online banking?
thanks in advance.

Getting another account with the same bank is a good idea. Bear in mind the LTSB basic account only allows cash withdrawals from their cash machines only. Alternatively/I suggest that, you can get a Classic Account without overdraft, or go to another bank. Barclays is good for a basic account.

Just say you want to open a basic bank account. Don't say anything about credit checks.