Basic Bank Account Advice

dogchew

Hi,
long time lurker, first time poster.
I am currently on a DMP for the last 2 years with CCCS for getting in trub with credit cards. Opened a Coop Cashminder account for my DDs as instructed, as one of the cards was with my bank account provider LTSB.
However, have slipped further in the do-do as whilst I was working away from home, had problems with my invoices being paid, and several DDs bounced for a couple of months ( I was away for 6 months) The Coop then closed my account and cancelled all my DDs. When I was back home and getting back on tyop of things I opened all the letters from the Coop telling me and charging me for the DDs.
Ho hum, now need another bank account. Looked through the forum and on the comparison sites and cannot find answer I am looking for, as had conflicting advice and reviews:
Should I stay clear of the guaranteed acceptance accounts such as Think, Secure Trust etc. as they seem to take forever to receive money paid in and make it available....
OR
keep plugging away at trying to get with a 'proper' bank - going tyo see NatWest tomorrow for a basic account. Don't want to naff up my credit score even further by being turned down by 'proper' banks.
Is there anyone (not Coop or Barclays or LTSB as paying them CC debt each month on CCCS)
Any help gratefully received as don't want to norse things up anymore!!!!
T%hanks

Chrisblue1962

You could always try a "Cash Transactor" Savings Account with the Yorkshire Building Society.

Although it's a savings account (no credit check ) , you can operate Direct Debits and Standing Orders from it. It comes with the option of a passbook or a Link cashpoint card as well as online banking too.

The only thing to note is you'll need £100.00 to open the account and must always keep a minimum balance of £1.00.

I've just opened one of these accounts in order to keep my bills and personal spending - got a Co-op Cashminder account for that - totally separate and help me budget better.

Hope this helps.

OutofDebt-NOT-OutofDanger

Can't advise about the others but I use Secure Trust Bank with no problems (although I could do without the monthly charge). If you apply via money supermarket, the fees are reduced for 6 months.

I've found that Faster Payments into the account are fine, but payments out take 3 days to clear into the receiving account (not sure about standing orders though).

Only possible issue is paying cash into the account as you need to find a paypoint outlet that accepts cash for the bank (not all do - but being as I never have any it's never been a problem).

BASFORDLAD

Your best bet really is the Coventry Building Society

Very good service, customer service is top notch, good accounts which are not credit scored

Direct debits/standing orders/faster payments (next day sending but receive same day), decent number of branches)

Yorkshire building society is also a decent option but you dont need to be paying via the link of Think etc etc

Which are of the country are you in OP?

There are also plenty of other proper local building societies you can use.

To many people whinge that they get turned by banks etc but they often miss whats under their very nose

dogchew

Thanks for the quick replies!!
I am in NE London / Essex area.
Really do want to try and avoid the Thinks and Secure Trust 'banks' if at all poss. Maybe I have read too many moany reviews of them.
I would be paying in a lump each month by electronic payment from my business account, so a 'proper' bank seems to be favourite.
Will see how I get on with NatWest tomorrow - they phoned to confirm the appointment and I explained my situation - they did not tell me it was a problem over the phone. |We shall see - they provbably still want me to come in so they can give me the hard sell on life and house insurance!!
Will try and investigate the Yorkshire and Coventry BS tomorrow.
Thanks again.

Dr_Cuckoo3

Metro Bank will open a basic bank account without performing a credit search and the account comes with a debit card (unlike Yorkshire / Coventry Building Society)

The account does not allow payments to be made using internet banking though and I am unsure whether direct debits/standing orders are available on this account


https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/Personal/Bank-Accounts/Cash-Account/


see this thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4048295

BASFORDLAD

The coventry used to.offer a debit card

You may be best lookig at the building society list to see if any.local ones if no joy with natwest.

dogchew

Ta for these.
Will investigate and report back later.
Fingers crossed for NatWest this afternoon!!