Which Basic Bank Account?

System

lonely2 wrote: »

Thanks Keren and Lenny for the advice. I have sent a PM Lenny

I am just really scared of applying for a new bank account in case I am declined.

Should I tell them I am about to try for a DMP or just keep quiet? If they ask me my incomings / outgoings they will see for themselves I'm in real trouble.

I have emailed the spreadsheet Lonely, hope it helps. Lenny

James&Shell

HAve you tried the co-operative banks cashminder account.

you get internet banking
post office banking and a visa electron card.

System

lonely2 wrote: »

Thanks Keren and Lenny for the advice. I have sent a PM Lenny

I am just really scared of applying for a new bank account in case I am declined.

Should I tell them I am about to try for a DMP or just keep quiet? If they ask me my incomings / outgoings they will see for themselves I'm in real trouble.

I never told them - didnt want to. Any decision may depend upon your credit rating though. Don't let that worry you too much, because if they have any concerns, they probably won't give you a debit card or an overdraft, which will be fine so long as you can get an account. You may be able to upgrade a few months in. I opened a Nationwide account over a year ago now and I have tried applying for a debit card online through online banking, but they say that I must go into my local branch and apply for one. I daren't go and see them because they will know I have financial snags because of my direct debit to Payplan......but that's just me - stupid! Lenny

James&Shell

lennymfo wrote: »

I never told them - didnt want to. Any decision may depend upon your credit rating though. Don't let that worry you too much, because if they have any concerns, they probably won't give you a debit card or an overdraft, which will be fine so long as you can get an account. You may be able to upgrade a few months in. I opened a Nationwide account over a year ago now and I have tried applying for a debit card online through online banking, but they say that I must go into my local branch and apply for one. I daren't go and see them because they will know I have financial snags because of my direct debit to Payplan......but that's just me - stupid! Lenny

If you ask payplan for a payment card you can pay it in a paypiont shop and then the bank wont need to know you have a direct debit for to them.

Just a thought anyway

System

James&Shell wrote: »

If you ask payplan for a payment card you can pay it in a paypiont shop and then the bank wont need to know you have a direct debit for to them.

Just a thought anyway

That's a good point. But I probably won't do that as I am away a lot it needs to be a DD.

bowz25

hi
i have just opened co-op current account and i only requested this less then a week ago online and i already have debit card and account opened(just waiting for cheque book and pin) I am scared also i have just sent all my details to cccs online now and awaiting a response (they have recommended dmp)
The account is set up now and i am going to put wages etc into new account now.
hope this helps

lonely2

Thanks again. I will go to A&L next week to try for a basic account. My credit rating should be OK just now as I've not missed any payments yet but that will definitely happen in June.

My next worry (before I even start thinking about starting my DMP) is how I change all the direct debts over to my new account and make sure it all happens on time and none of them bounce! I will not be changing over my loan payments as I don't want my creditors to have my new account details (See, I pay attention when I'm lurking).

Anyway I'm still not sure whether or not to say anything to A&L. I think I will just see how it goes and answer them honestly but not offer more information than they ask for. They will probably want to know why I'm leaving a bank I've been with for over 15 years to open just a basic account with them.

Cheers

sallyjo_2

Don't be afraid of the CCCS, they are wonderful and will take a lot of the weight you feel from your shoulders.

I can't advise you re best basic bank accounts, but I have one with Nat West which offers as well as a current account with HSBC. If you can get a regular current account, with a regular switch card and chequebook (I need cheques sometimes for kids' schools), do try before you go on a Debt Management Plan, as your credit score will be trashed for years. Mine is shot now, and they'd never let me have it now, but I managed to get my HSBC account just before DMP kicked in, and they accepted me. I keep it on the straight and narrow, no overdraft! For what its worth, I would never go to the so called ethical Cooperative Bank again, their bank charges helped push me into the debt crisis that forced me onto a DMP. They were amongst the worst of the creditors initially and still are, they treated me like a Nazi war criminal, I'm looking forward to reclaiming them off them. Right vultures they are.

Talk to the CCCS. Also, try and find someone who can give you good advice about how to discuss these problems with your OH, once you have sorted yourself out. You shouldn't go through this alone.

fatbelly

lonely2 wrote: »

Anyway I'm still not sure whether or not to say anything to A&L. I think I will just see how it goes and answer them honestly but not offer more information than they ask for.

That's always a good policy!

lonely2 wrote: »

They will probably want to know why I'm leaving a bank I've been with for over 15 years to open just a basic account with them.

I doubt they will ask that - if they do, you can just say you're fed up with their crap service.