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Opening a basic bank account

Hi all

Ok so I'm in the v early stages of trying to see up a DMP and one of the bits of advice I got was to set up a basic bank account at somewhere away from any debt.

I just called Santander to ask to set up a basic current account. After about 10 mins of questions etc the woman told me that she couldn't open one for me as I had a bank account somewhere else.

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you get around it?
~~I am debt free~~

Comments

  • GrahamsHill
    GrahamsHill Posts: 48 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Hi, I opened a Barclays Cash Card a/c. No credit checks (only ID/fraud checks) and you get a Visa debit card with it.

    Only issue is you have to go in to branch to do it.

    HTH
  • GrahamsHill
    GrahamsHill Posts: 48 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If that fails, Co-Operative do the same. I think you apply online for theirs though...
  • savingmummy
    savingmummy Posts: 2,915 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    I opened a basic account online with Halifax.
    Within a week I was sent paperwork and debit card.
    DebtFree FEB 2010!
    Slight blip in 2013 - Debtfree Aug 2014 :j

    Savings £132/£1000.
  • TimeToDoIt
    TimeToDoIt Posts: 220 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Thank you I'll give the co op a go
    ~~I am debt free~~
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Debt-free and Proud!
    edited 3 June 2014 at 6:25PM
    I opened a basic account with Barclays (because they were the only one I could find, who would give me a Cash Card), while I had accounts with 2 other banks.
  • Lensman_2
    Lensman_2 Posts: 1,506 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    The Coop have been good with me and I got a Visa debit card too.

    Make sure whatever bank you do go for has no connection with any of your debts. Google for connections. Coop for example are connected to Brittania and Smile.

    Santander seem to be the most complained about bank on the forums I read and they seem to have an arrogance that makes Lloyds look like an ethical, customer focused bank. I think you got a result when they turned you down.
  • TimeToDoIt
    TimeToDoIt Posts: 220 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Ha thank you lensman. Maybe they did so me a favour!!

    I've applied to the co op. I needed to stay away from natwest and Barclays so hopefully that will be approved and I can have my basic account there
    ~~I am debt free~~
  • I opened my Lloyds account online. I thought they'd ask me to go in to a branch with ID etc, but they just sent the welcome pack and the card 5 days later.

    Weirdly though, I went to open another basic account with them a few weeks ago to stash some money away for a rainy day fund, and the online thing flat-out rejected me. Not sure if they don't let you have two of the same accounts or something.
  • I've had two current account with Lloyds.
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