Basic bank account needed but fast!

lush_bucket

Hi guys,

Here's hoping you might be able to help! I currently have an account with Lloyds that I have run up an unauthorised overdraft on. As a result I am being hit with massive bank charges on a monthly basis which combined with the overdraft excess eat up my wages on a monthly basis. I have been into the branch and the lady told me that my best bet was to open a basic bank account elsewhere and arrange to have my wages paid in there. Lloyds sre not willing to accept an agreed overdraft or realistic repayment plan and are ringing me several times a day.
Anyway I have been to halifax and attempted to open an easycash account, but have had to send off for it and wait 6 weeks for it to be opened. Also tried alliance and leicester but they have an 8 week backlog on opening such accounts. My credit rating is hideous and I am afraid to embaress myself by attempting to apply for anything other than a basic account, but i need one fast or my wages will end up going into lloyds.
anyone had experience of opening one? and how long did it take to be opened. many thanks in advance.

bizzylizzy

lush_bucket wrote:

Hi guys,

Here's hoping you might be able to help! I currently have an account with Lloyds that I have run up an unauthorised overdraft on. As a result I am being hit with massive bank charges on a monthly basis which combined with the overdraft excess eat up my wages on a monthly basis. I have been into the branch and the lady told me that my best bet was to open a basic bank account elsewhere and arrange to have my wages paid in there. Lloyds sre not willing to accept an agreed overdraft or realistic repayment plan and are ringing me several times a day.
Anyway I have been to halifax and attempted to open an easycash account, but have had to send off for it and wait 6 weeks for it to be opened. Also tried alliance and leicester but they have an 8 week backlog on opening such accounts. My credit rating is hideous and I am afraid to embaress myself by attempting to apply for anything other than a basic account, but i need one fast or my wages will end up going into lloyds.
anyone had experience of opening one? and how long did it take to be opened. many thanks in advance.

Try Nationwide, they were quite quick for me. Can't remember exactly how long but there were no problems.

Edinburghlass_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=319736

lush_bucket

bizzylizzy wrote:

Try Nationwide, they were quite quick for me. Can't remember exactly how long but there were no problems.

Thanks, can I ask were you able to open it in the branch or did they have to send away for it?

lush_bucket

Edinburghlass wrote:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=319736

Thankyou! I read the thread but no one mentions the time it took for these accounts to be opened and nearly all were yorkshire or citibank, I dont have either of these near me

steve700

lush_bucket wrote:

I have been into the branch and the lady told me that my best bet was to open a basic bank account elsewhere and arrange to have my wages paid in there.

That was nice of the lady in the branch then - I hope that her boss doesn't find out though, as I imagine that handing out that sort of advice would be a tad 'frowned upon'....

bizzylizzy

I didn't go to the branch, I either opened it over the phone or online. I can't remember as I tried to open a Co op one as well and I've gone bankrupt too since then so a lot has gone on. I have an internet account so it was probably online.
I have finally almost got the Co op account now (It's only taken since October!). I want that one too as it has an Electron card.
Anyway, why not have a look at the Nationwide website, you'll probably get more sense from that! Sorry, I've been Christmas shopping today and I'm exhausted - got the Asda battle tomorrow!

lush_bucket

steve700 wrote:

That was nice of the lady in the branch then - I hope that her boss doesn't find out though, as I imagine that handing out that sort of advice would be a tad 'frowned upon'....

To be honest I think she felt a bit sorry for me and she did say that it was her own advice and not that of the bank.

steve700

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/current_account/day_to_day.htm

The details about the basic account are at the bottom of the page.

madduck

I opened my basic account with Bank of Scotland/Halifax. Went into the branch - phoned up first and made an appointment - opened account there and them. Got account number, etc., card came through post a few days later.

sgx.saint

Thankyou! I read the thread but no one mentions the time it took for these accounts to be opened and nearly all were yorkshire or citibank, I dont have either of these near me

I posted two hyperlinks in the first post, if you have a look on those websites it will list all majority of basic accounts and a list of what they offer.

CitiBank which is just a normal current account takes around three weeks from application to open.

Yorkshire Bank basic account is opened there and then in the branch.

Natwest basic account is opened there and then in the branch usually too.