Cant open a bank account?

Mrs-M_3

Hello, I cant seem to get a bank account.

I have recently got a new job and have been trying to open a bank account. I just want a basic account where my wages can be paid into it and direct debits can go out.

Every single account I have applied for has been turned down.

Might sound strange but I have never actually had a bank account before, my wages have always been paid into my partners bank account, all the bills go out of that as well and I just give him money to cover half of everything.

Maybe thats why I am finding it hard to open an account of my own. No bills come in my name.

I have no debt, I did have a debt but cleared it in full and never been in debt since. That was about three or four years ago. I also have no credit, no catalogues, no mobile phone contract etc

Anything I can do to get a bank account of my own?

Thanks.

concerned43

So you have no credit history then. It would be helpful if you could name the banks you have already approached.
but we advise clients to go to: barclays, co-operative, RBS or post office

ian_h

Check you are on the electoral roll, this is the single biggest barrier to getting an account.

Once you know you are on the electoral roll, check your credit files (£2 for the statutory reports) and check they are accurate and dont hold any CIFAS (fraud) or GAIN (Gone away) markers.

Both of the above can be checked quickly (same say if you ring the council and apply for Equifax files first although for completeness you should also check experian and callcredit).

And then when applying for a bank account ask SPECIFICALLY for their basic account, do not be tempted by upsells or promises of untold riches, get the basic account (as concerned-43 says Co-op Cashminder account and Barclays Cashcard account are usually helpful but Ulster Bank have a Basic account called "Step" Nat-West in England offer this too and RBS in Scotland offer their "Key Account").

Basic accounts dont credit check so as long as you are on the electoral roll, and dont have any adverse markers you SHOULD be successful, and can then prove yourself for 6 - 12 months before upgrading to a full current account.

Once you have the account a small 30 day SIM only mobile contract, a catalogue account and a specialist credit card are all good ways of building a credit history.

Good Luck

DrSyn

I agree with both of the posts so far. You might like to take a look at the follwing especially if you are near a credit union that you are able to join.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/credit-unions

The "Basic Bank Account" from the C0-OP Bank is called "Cash Minder".