Im Going Bankrupt in two weeks time... when should i open a new bank account?

gclongterm

Is it best to do so a day or so before i go offically BR or the same day as i am declared BK?
The only options i have i think are the co op, lloyds and natwest as all others are creditors of mine. Which is best?
My only income at the moment is my £143 fortnightly JSA and as i have this paid into my santender account (a creditor of mine) i take it it is very important to open a new account... would just like some help on the best timing to do so please folks and which out of the three is best?

Helpmeoutofthismess

gclongterm wrote: »

Is it best to do so a day or so before i go offically BR or the same day as i am declared BK?
The only options i have i think are the co op, lloyds and natwest as all others are creditors of mine. Which is best?
My only income at the moment is my £143 fortnightly JSA and as i have this paid into my santender account (a creditor of mine) i take it it is very important to open a new account... would just like some help on the best timing to do so please folks and which out of the three is best?

Hi, natwest and lloyds are not bankrupt friendly, they will close your account down as soon as they see your name in the gazette / speak to your OR. You can try the co op but you need to open the account before you declare bankruptcy, they are not as friendly now as they used to be and don't open accounts for undischarged bankrupts anymore. I opened a cash card account with barclays before I declared and they gave me an account even though I had defaulted on my barclaycard account. Barclays will open an account for undischarged bankrupts if all else fails!

H x

dettelibre

I opened a coop basic bank account 2 weeks before I went bankrupt, it's called a coop cashminder.

it has online access which the Barclays one does not, don't mention you are going bk, and they 'should' open one for you, although they seem to be getting stricter.

I would go to a branch and ask to open one tomorrow, take your relevant ID, look on their website, and they will take you form and copy of your ID and should send you a welcome pack in the post in a weeks time

the official receiver also sent them a later confirming she had no interest in the coop account.

TheGardener

Open one as quickly as possible and give yourself time to move any utility DD's and inform payroll/benefits so that your income is going into the new account before your go BR. The banks will freeze/close your accounts once the OR contacts them. The OR will ask which is your 'everyday' account for income and essential expenditure and the banks should leave that one available for you (if its Barclays or CO_OP).
As other have said - Barclays will give you a basic account but no phone or internet banking. CO-OP will not let you open an account after BR or if they think your are planning BR.
Some posters on here say they have kept their old accounts with other banks but they are very much the exception to the rule.