refused student account

el.weeno

hello,
my friend has just found out that his bank won't let him have a student account because of his credit history. Does anyone know the best action to take??
is it as easy as applying to a different bank??
any advice would really be appreciated, he's meant to be going to uni in london (obviously its especially expensive there) and he doesnt think hel be able to go if he doesnt have the security of a big overdraft n all the help of a student account.
thanks alot
x

melancholly

what bank rejected him? a lot of people have had problems with halifax....
if he isn't a student yet, he probably won't be able to get the account until he starts in the autumn.

Blacksheep1979

the more banks he applies to the more 'footprints' he will have on his credit record which doesn't look good. I managed to get an HSBC account with a less than gleaming credit record.

el.weeno

it was HSBC who rejected him.
we were worried about the 'footprints' thing...hes applied to natwest over the internet but hes stopped applying now because of the 'footprints'. Do you think its possible another bank will actually give him a student account or will they all be the same?
we're just starting to stress, we dont know wot to try next!!
i read some things about clearing your credit history, does anyone know anything about that??

welf_man

It's worth talking to the Money / Welfare Advisers at the university he's going to, as lots of unis have "special relationships" with particular banks. At the very least they'll be able to advise on steps he can take over the next 6 months that may help.

Mel.

Blacksheep1979

I'd get him to get a copy of his credit record from equifax/experian and make sure there are no surprises there. Has he got defaults or ccjs?

el.weeno

thanks for all the advice,
we'll definitely talk to the uni advisor and look into getting a copy of his credit record.
i'll let you know how it goes! (i'll probly be back for more advice too)
thanks again
x