Basic Bank Account Thread

GH77

I posted last week about getting a basics bank account. I've decided to try the Yorkshire bank. I've got a meeting next Weds to go through it. Taking my passport and last 2 pay slips. I'm only after a basic account due to being on a DMP with CCCS. Can anybody give me advice on how up front with all this I should be? I'm not going to lie but should I volenter the info? Will this be part of the questions asked?

Just trying to find out what I can expect.

Thanks.

m0rt

Debiain wrote: »

You really don't know what you have let yourself in for , this account is a nightmare, well has been for me!! Charges at £35 if you go overdrawn ( I was 5p short for a DD and had money going in that day that went in regular!!) and when you phone them you can't get through and then they talk to you like you are something they trod in and it don't smell of roses!!!. :eek: :mad:
Please be careful with this account as it can lead you into more debt ... not make better.

Debiain

Thanks for the info. Yep I had noticed communication isn't their forte. I've had no acknoledgement or welcome letters, just forms. I have received my pin now, so I presume I just try and put cash in to it.
I don't intend to use it for bills, just spending money as my partner handles bills in her account. I'll have my salary paid into it, with a fixed standing order as a contribution towards bills to my partners account. The remainder will be my own to save and spend. I don't have an account at all, and only applied for this on an exploratory whim one evening fully expecting to be declined. It will be nice to just be able to have somewhere for my own money to be honest.

m0rt

Matt_1970 wrote: »

Hi Mort, thanks, i'm in a similar position received electron card this morning and waiting for pin no. No other info as yet. I presume the sort code and a/c no on the card is the right one. I'm going to try and activate the card then pay some money into the account.

My pin arrived this morning, so around 5 days after card. Still no other communication. I also registered for online access and now waiting for my access pin to arrive for that.
I presume the account is ready to go, be nice to actually be told that though.

By contrast we opened an HSBC account for our son and they have been brilliant, but I guess they would be. (catch them young etc.)

Matt_1970_2

Seems that the a/c is up and running. Still waiting for the pin and yep no communication from HBOS. But I guess it's a basic account and it doesn't make them any money so ... What do they care?

Just chuffed to have a bank account to be honest, which is a bit embarassing considering it's a given for most people. But I've made do with a savings account for years and it'll make life a bit easier.

PROLIANT

Matt_1970 wrote: »

Seems that the a/c is up and running. Still waiting for the pin and yep no communication from HBOS. But I guess it's a basic account and it doesn't make them any money so ... What do they care?

Just chuffed to have a bank account to be honest, which is a bit embarassing considering it's a given for most people. But I've made do with a savings account for years and it'll make life a bit easier.

Well done on getting an account, have you tried Barclays for their basic current account, it comes with a 2in1 Visa debit card, no overdraft or cheque book tho, but it is aimed at people who have trouble getting a normal current account i.e bad credit etc.

Sam_G_3

I just opened a Halifax Easycash account after being turned down for accounts by a couple of other banks.

Their online application process is weird, they asked me to post photocopies of ID which is fine, and then a few days later they just send me a debit card in the post, with no "we are pleased to inform you of your new bank account details" kind of letter!

When I activated the card I asked the woman I spoke to about it, she said you don't get a letter, just a debit card, then you have to make a minimum £1.00 deposit in the account to complete the account opening process...!

I can't remember when I originally applied for the account, I don't think it took any longer than 3 weeks for the entire process.

I'm just happy I have a bank account which offers me a debit card now (although only a Visa Electron), yay!

PROLIANT

Sam_G wrote: »

I'm just happy I have a bank account which offers me a debit card now (although only a Visa Electron), yay!

yes, Halifax were good to me back in the day, however you could try Lloyds TSB or Barclays as they do a 2in1 Visa debit card account for people with a less than perfect credit rating, and they report account conduct to all three credit reference agencies as a current account and not as a basic account. :beer:

GH77

GH77 wrote: »

I posted last week about getting a basics bank account. I've decided to try the Yorkshire bank. I've got a meeting next Weds to go through it. Taking my passport and last 2 pay slips. I'm only after a basic account due to being on a DMP with CCCS. Can anybody give me advice on how up front with all this I should be? I'm not going to lie but should I volenter the info? Will this be part of the questions asked?

Just trying to find out what I can expect.

Thanks.

Anybody? Please it will be a great help if I know what to expect. Thanks. :beer:

Sam_G_3

PROLIANT wrote: »

yes, Halifax were good to me back in the day, however you could try Lloyds TSB or Barclays as they do a 2in1 Visa debit card account for people with a less than perfect credit rating, and they report account conduct to all three credit reference agencies as a current account and not as a basic account. :beer:

I applied for a Lloyds TSB current account (standard one not basic) about a month before applying for the Halifax account and they declined me.

Oh well I'm hoping that in time perhaps Halifax might upgrade my account when they see it's been conducted in a good manner.

Lass

Hi, interesting thread, really helpful comments so thanks so much. Can anyone tell me more about Citibank cashline withdrawals - I've tried to find details on their website to no avail. I really need to know what cashline's I can use as there is as their only branch in the UK appears to be London, not much good to me in Edinburgh! Also, what happens if I ever have a cheque to pay in for example, would I have to post it to them? (unlikely scenario, but stranger things have happened!!)

Thanks!