When can I get a normal bank account?

littleacceb

I was discharged in July and decided to apply for a normal bank account as getting to Co-Op branches is a bit of a pain. No attempt at an overdraft or the proffered credit card, no nothing. Just me, promising to deposit £1000 a month and paying them £2 a month for the privilege, and I got turned down! So frustrating.

How long after discharge did you manage to get a proper bank account?

Martin's spiel about banks just wanting to make a profit really doesn't seem to be true. I completely fail to see any risk in providing me with a bank account, but they aren't interested in my business. Does anyone know why this is the general policy?

alastairq

Hi...I cannot understand how you have arrived at the above question?

Whilst BR, [if you had an income?]....what sort of banking arrangement had you made?

What do you want from a bank account?
Rearding Co-op?

Why not apply for a Cashminder basic account?

For sure, you may have to visit your nearest branch for ID purposes whilst setting it up....but they do have full internet access, so subsequent to set-up, you need never see a branch again?


Neither Co-op, nor Barclay's charge for the privilege of using their bank, with regards to their basic bank accounts.

However, applying for a FULL [aka, so-called 'proper'?]account at either bank, so close to AD, will get turned down ..[to me, a pointless exercise, as all you get in addition is a cheque book]... because of the BR on your records.

Basic bank accounts provide all the services of any other type of account, apart from overdraughts, cheque books [soon to be obsolete anyway]....and access to dubious insurance offers...oh, and even more dubious ISA's...which can be accessed by other means anyway.

littleacceb

Thanks for your reply Answers below:

Whilst BR, [if you had an income?]....what sort of banking arrangement had you made? I opened a Co-op account as soon as I filed for bankruptcy. I needed somewhere to receive maternity allowance and child benefit.

What do you want from a bank account?
Rearding Co-op? Why not apply for a Cashminder basic account? I was applying for a Santander 1-2-3 account, for the various interest and cashback benefits that come with that. Also, a number of card machines have problems with Co-op cards, so I have to borrow my husband's card if I do things like pick up dog food! I can't stand Co-op's online banking website, and their call centre staff have been about as useful as a chocolate teapot whenever I've needed to speak to someone.

For sure, you may have to visit your nearest branch for ID purposes whilst setting it up....but they do have full internet access, so subsequent to set-up, you need never see a branch again? Actually, I was able to do the entire application process online, but for some reason, I seem to get cheques a lot more often than I'd like!

However, applying for a FULL [aka, so-called 'proper'?]account at either bank, so close to AD, will get turned down. Yes, this seems to be the case, but do you have any idea why they would do this? I'm not trying to obtain any kind of credit! It just seems like one of those daft "computer says no" things.

stesilc

i got my co-op bank account after going br in 2010 im still with them iv never had a problem with them and they were the only bank that wanted me when i was down i more than happy to stay with them

Mattygroves2

Not qualified to answer all your question but I do know that you can pay cheques into coop accounts at post offices which may be easier. You may need to nominate the particular post office.

PippaGirl_2

I've not had a problem with my co-op cashminder Visa card, I've used it everywhere and never had it declined or not been able to use it. And though I find the website wanting wrt to it's not up to date and very basic, I've found their call centre staff when phoning to be fantastic and very helpful so it does show have different the service can be for different people.

I would like a normal bank account at some stage though, mostly due to the convenience of being near a branch. I seem to regularly have to put cash/cheques in and need them in that day, and am unable to wait for the postal service or PO transfer service and so drive in to the city and that's wasted petrol for me. Once my credit files are clean I plan on trying to open a Barclays account, I have never banked with them. I think the most likely scenario is the only account they will approve for me would be their basic one, but possibly they may allow me to upgrade it after a while to a standard one. I've seen others do exactly that on this board, so that might be worth a try?

dojoman

While BR is on your credit file you stand virtually no chance of getting a "normal" bank account. Why you are having problems with your Coop debit card is beyond me. Been BR over 3 years, initially there were some problems with some outlets not recognising the card, however these have now been rectified, I have had no problem with mine for over 2 years, here and abroad. Cashminder accounts have never been able to be opened on line, it was always either by phone or by going in to the branch.

tpl

I like the Co-op too. They gave me a bank account when I had to switch due to debts. I can use my card anywhere and have never any had problems, I'm not sure why you can't? There is only one bank branch in my town, but that's okay, I dont need to go very often. I use the online service all the time, and found it efficient and easy to use, so not sure why you don't like it. And have had no problems with call centre staff either. But we all have different experiences I guess!

Anthorn

If not already done, you need to contact the credit reference agencies with proof of the discharge and ask them to update your credit reference file. Until that's done you could be turned down even for a Co-op Cashminder account which now doesn't allow undischarged bankrupts.
http://www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency/personal-insolvency/discharge#doesntmycreditreffileshow

If you don't like branches why a Co-operative Bank current account? Smile Internet Bank might be better for you and is to all intents and purposes a Co-operative Bank online account. But you won't get statements through the post, online only.
http://www.smile.co.uk

alastairq

A cheque paid in at a branch will not necessarily hit one's account any sooner than that paid in at any post office [or sub-post office] from co-op...if done in the proper envelopes.

Much will depend on the origination of the cheque.

The only problem I have noted [but never found] with Co-op's debit card[visa debit, rather than electron, of course].....is when there are insufficient cleared funds for the transaction.


Regrading the online site?

I have found it strangely easier to use than Barclays ever was.


Despite the difficulty with finding out 'current cleared funds'....


One can set up DD's, cancel DD's, set up SOs, pay bills and instantly transfer funds from one co-op account to another [if held by the same person]..

What one see's on the statements are exactly what appear on the hard-copy statements.

As noted, instant, at-home access to the current-funds-available amount is the only drawback.