Applied for several bank accounts over 2 months. What should I do?

Msuk

I have applied to several UK banks for current accounts over a period of approximately two months and, for reasons I've mentioned in another thread (such as mistakenly being classified as not being on the electoral roll), been rejected by all of them. The application searches are on my Experian credit file.

I appreciate that having too many applications in a short period of time is not something the banks take too kindly to.

Should I wait a period of time before applying to further banks?

I appreciate it's a question one can generally only guestimate, but how many banks would be "too many" to apply to before further banks get suspicious and reject an application?

If I should wait for a while, how long should I wait please?

Thanks a lot.

matttye

If the only thing wrong on your credit file is a high number of searches I don't think there's any need to wait, but make sure the electoral roll issue is now sorted.

sleepyjones

You should be OK to get a basic account?

The Barclay's Cash Card account would probably be best, which after a bit of time you should be able to upgrade to a "normal" account.
These don't have any fancy extra's like a an overdraft (don't even think you can use your card in a shop, only at the cash machines) .... but you get an account that can handle direct Debits and you get a bank card, I think they run a bare minimum of checks so everyone should, theoretically, be able to open one.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Otheraccounts/Cashcardaccounts/CashCardAccount/P1242557963900

Alternatively, try not asking for an Overdraft facility ... there'll be more stringent rules applied to the application if they are going to give you credit (I would assume, but I'm not expert on these things).

owlet

sleepyjones wrote: »

You should be OK to get a basic account?

The Barclay's Cash Card account would probably be best, which after a bit of time you should be able to upgrade to a "normal" account.
These don't have any fancy extra's like a an overdraft (don't even think you can use your card in a shop, only at the cash machines) .... but you get an account that can handle direct Debits and you get a bank card, I think they run a bare minimum of checks so everyone should, theoretically, be able to open one.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Otheraccounts/Cashcardaccounts/CashCardAccount/P1242557963900

Alternatively, try not asking for an Overdraft facility ... there'll be more stringent rules applied to the application if they are going to give you credit (I would assume, but I'm not expert on these things).

A quick correction...

The Barclays basic account is not much different to a normal account. You don't get an overdraft or cheque book but the account does everything else. It's a full debit card that can be used anywhere - shops, online etc but it isn't a contactless card. It does offer internet & telephone banking too.