Opening a New Bank Account - How Hard?

CannotFindHelp

I have an appointment today with a high street branch to open a new account.

I want an account with basic facilities and no credit or extra's, just something that allows me to put my wages in (about £600 a month) and have my rent come out, naturally an ATM card would be great but I don't even have to have one of these if I can withdraw at the Branch as I live next to the Bank.

I have all my ID (including my current Building Society information) and everything needed for opening such an account, but because I move around a lot I don't have much of a credit file - I'm wondering whether that will impact on my ability to get a basic account. I already have a current account with Nationwide, which I opened about 2 years ago at a previous address, but as they're a Building Society I'm wondering if I can still have a Basic Account with a Bank for my wages.

I'd be planning to shut down my Nationwide account.

In case anyone asks I've never had any CCJ's, never been summoned to court or anything like that and have never served any jail time, nor am I legally bankrupt, there is nothing fraudulent about what I'm doing I'm just concerned that my credit file may stop me from opening a basic account with no credit facilities.

If anyone on here can assure me I'd be delighted to hear from them?

BrandNewYear

What's the problem with Nationwide account?

Why are you only earning £600 a month?

CannotFindHelp

BrandNewYear wrote: »

What's the problem with Nationwide account?

Why are you only earning £600 a month?

Because I work Part Time and it's the only job I can find at the moment

There's nothing wrong with Nationwide but I'm nowhere near a Branch (when I need to visit them this can be a hassle) and I sometimes get paid travel reimbursements by cheque. This is relevant because since my job banks with this bank (and I live next door to it) it's easier to lodge the cheque into the same bank for a faster clearance.

Plus my last move was about six months ago and I see myself staying put at the moment for a little while, so that being the case, I'd like a fresh start and a new account.

dr_adidas01

If your doing it in branch it can take anywhere from 15 mins to an hour depending on the person opening your account for you.

You may also want to consider using a bank that lets you pay cheques in via the post office if that is a more convenient method for you.

If you click the link below it will give you a list of banks that allow you to do this.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-banking-services#withdrawals_&_deposits

CannotFindHelp

To give you an update I speculatively walked into two more High Street Banks today and they both rejected me for their Current Account, whereas I attended my previously scheduled appointment at 4pm and the Bank accepted me - and gave me an account - within 15/20 minutes

So I now have a new account with the Bank I wanted and it turned out not to be an issue, which is great news - thanks for anyone who posted

innovate

Seems you were very lucky there that your "appointment" bank didn't know of the two previous rejections today (because these won't show on your credit file for a while yet).

Well done for getting your current account at your"appointment bank". Look after it well.