Basic Bank Account Thread

Carlos79

Hi,

Could anyone help me, i dont have the best of credit ratings and had a Cashminder account with the CO-OP. A failed direct debit took me slightly overdrawn, the CO-OP charged me £58 for this. I then wrote to the CO-OP asking for this money back and they sent me a letter telling me they were now closing my account, this has led to obvious difficulties as im not in the best of positions when applying for a new bank account.

I spoke to the managd accounts section and the person i spoke to was less than helpful.

Could anyone tell me the following :

Can the bank actually close my account because of this?

Is the £58 charges lawful?

Is it worth ringing back and asking to speak to a supervisor?

And if the above fails whats the best bank to apply to?

Many thanks

Carlos

sleigh_2

Just had my account closed with First direct for daring to claim charges back..
I need to sort out a Basic account pronto, to make sure everythings paid, and don't get stung for any fees

What account do people on here find best Basic account at this time, i only need the ability to pay my wages in and standing order/DD to be paid.
A non o/d debit card switch/maestro would be great
Thanks in advance
Keith

sutton111

yorkshire bank do maestro on there basic account.

GH77

Hi, first post on the forums and in a bit of a pickle so looking for advice. I'm currently in a DMP with the CCCS and bank with the Co-Op (smile.co.uk). I have a current account and the overdraft facility has been withdrawn.

My bank cancelled my direct debits last month without informing me. I spoke with them and they agreed I was meeting the terms of my DMP so reinstated my DD's. It did however mean my payment to the CCCS didn't go out and I missed that months payment on my DMP. I made the payments myself to the creditors as agreed. In the mean time I've just received a letter to from the Co-op telling me I've defaulted on my agreement and they will be terminating my current account in 28 days.

I therefore need to open a basic account for my wage, bills, DD's etc. I'd like a debit card if possible. Reading the last few pages the Yorkshire bank or NatWest look the best option. Could you recommend anywhere else better for somebody in my situation? Will I have problems getting an account in my situation?

Thanks for any advice.

sleigh_2

Hi GH77
I've got the post just above yours, seems we're in same situation, keep each other, and others informed.
I spoke to Yorkshire Bank today, friendly , but living in East Anglia, there isn't a Branch within 70 miles, and need to visit branch to present ID
Popping into Barclays and Halifax tomorrow..

GH77

I'm in Yorkshire so it would seem that the Yorkshire Bank would be a good one for me to look at. Do they do a credit check if you are trying to get a basic bank account? I'll certainly post any feedback here.

haraltremorian

I certainly recommend the Natwest STEP account which they opened for me after First Direct withdrew my account.

1 year later I was upgraded to a current account (chequebook, solocard, no O/D) after I ran my account cleanly. I was in the middle of a DMP (still am, 9 months to go!) with 4 defaults and they still opened the account.

The FSA do a good leaflet telling you about basic accounts and this is what I used to target banks for accounts.

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/HTML/en/products/bank_accounts/basic_bank_accounts_popup.htm

Coop also gave me a Cashminder Account (VISA ELECTRON CARD). Yorkshire were no good for me as I had mucked up with the a sister bank (Clydesdale) and was not welcome. COOP is my backup account if I ever screw up with Natwest.

PaulW922

Yorkshire and Clydesdale as mentioned above do offer a Maestro (not Solo) debit card. In addition you can operate the Clydesdale account (all of their current accounts in fact) at the Post office. I have the full current account plus with Clydesdale and rarely visit the branch. I don't know of the Yorkshire branded version offers the Post Office facility. Does anyone know?

Oddly enough Clydesdale don't mention this in their account literature!

sleigh_2

Just giving you my update, went into RBS in town yesterday, asked what they had to offer on the basic bank account,m spoke to really helpfull person there, explained situation and ended up leaving with Normal current account, (without O/D which is what i asked for) plus debit card and chequebook... service couldn't be faulted

mendipmagpie

Hi folks
First post so hope I'm in the right place.

A good friend of mine rang me today in a rather distressed state to ask for my opinion so I though best to hold off and ask what you think.
She visited her bank yesterday to deposit a cheque, from her building society, for £5000. On reaching the counter the cashier informed her that she needed to see the manager.As the branch was rather busy and being of a nervous disposition she got her self a little upset having to leave the desk to await his arrival.She was shown to a small office and asked what the problem was. In what appears to have been almost an interrogation it was suggested to her that large amounts have to be investigated in case they are associated with money laundering. Having pointed out to him that the cheque was drawn on her own building society account was surely proof enough. He then proceeded to ask what she intended to do with the money!! She then pointed out that in her opinion this had little to do with him but her husband had lost his job in the building industry and the needed to clear some outstanding bills.
The cheque was accepted and she left the bank.
My initial comments are not postable but What would you do.

Mendipmagpie