advice needed please

claire1011

Hi
im moving back to the UK in a few weeks, from off shore, and am not sure, from what ive read on here, that i will be able to get a basic bank account. it will be about 6 weeks before all my photo id is transferred over to the new address. i have an existing prepaid mastercard via MyCashPlus, this has been open for about 4 yrs and i mainly use it for the credit builder feature. my current account is with NatWest International. they are unable to transfer to Natwest UK, or so they say. if i have just changed my address and have all ID needed, am i likely to get a basic bank account? will try NatWest first. have several defaults on file as i have been on a DMP for a few years but am almost at the end. not sure if i shoud just use the CashPlus card for 6 months or so until DMP is finished and then apply for a basic bank account, or just to try straight away. I do not want an overdraft or cheque book etc, just somewhere for direct debits, standing orders and wage payments. Can anyone help? I understand there are basic bank accounts available that do not perform credit cheques, but will it be ok?

does anyone on here use a prepaid mastercard instead of a "normal" bank account?
Thanks.

gregor123

Hi Claire, I know of Cashplus and it may be worth you continuing to use this until your DMP is complete.

I am currently in an IVA and use a prepaid card with ClearCash (which recently has become a thread of Cashplus but remains a seperate entity) and i intend on using this until I am discharged.

i think once discharged i may try and open a normal bank account but to be honest, the card i have lets me do everything i need, including Direct Debits.

I was refused accounts by so many banks and this acted as a lifesaver for me...

what benefit ould you get opening a normal bank account out of curiosity?

Marc

claire1011

Thank you Marc
The main benefit would be that basic bank accounts show up on credit reference agency files and would show more stability perhaps? and that way i would have a savings account too, i dont know if i can open a savings account without a basic bank account? i think your right, it would be best to wait intil the DMP is over, which isnt far off thank goodness.
Thank you x