Basic bank account

187635

Does anyone have experience with trying to open a basic bank account? I would kind of like to try to get one, but can't seem to find an actual application form to look at, and:
a) I am not on the electoral roll
b) I probably have zero credit history as I haven't had any sort of bank account for 15 years
c) I don't have an income or an occupation (I'm supported by a partner) although that may possibly change, hence my interest
d) I'm pretty scared of confessing/explaining all this when applying.

Is it worth bothering?

paragon909

187635 wrote: »

Does anyone have experience with trying to open a basic bank account? I would kind of like to try to get one, but can't seem to find an actual application form to look at, and:
a) I am not on the electoral roll
b) I probably have zero credit history as I haven't had any sort of bank account for 15 years
c) I don't have an income or an occupation (I'm supported by a partner) although that may possibly change, hence my interest
d) I'm pretty scared of confessing/explaining all this when applying.

Is it worth bothering?

What bank do you want to go with?

I would recommend TSB and Santander.

http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/current-accounts/basic-current-account

http://www.tsb.co.uk/current-accounts/cash-account/

Both normally give a decision online instantly or they send an email with a decision....

If you can't get one of those, I would from experience maybe open a prepaid visa account, I would recommend.

http://www.credecard.com/

https://www.ffrees.co.uk/

Both give a sort code and account number.

colsten

187635 wrote: »

Does anyone have experience with trying to open a basic bank account? I would kind of like to try to get one, but can't seem to find an actual application form to look at, and:
a) I am not on the electoral roll
b) I probably have zero credit history as I haven't had any sort of bank account for 15 years
c) I don't have an income or an occupation (I'm supported by a partner) although that may possibly change, hence my interest
d) I'm pretty scared of confessing/explaining all this when applying.

Is it worth bothering?

Don't be scared but also don't make life unnecessarily difficut for yourself. Also, if you apply online, you don't have to face a person.

• get onto the electoral roll now, before you apply for any account. Don't even try without this unless you want to be asked to provide all sorts of proof of ID
• get yourself a letter from the DWP to confirm your NI number
• get yourself a letter from the HMRC to confirm your tax code
• check noodle.co.uk (free) - you might have a credit history without knowing that you do. Read it thoroughly if you have a credit history
• you won't be the first person who applies as a 'homemaker', or as an unemployed person, without any income

Kim_13

It might be worth putting yourself on the electoral roll and waiting a few months before applying. It's the easiest thing on your list to change and if they can verify your identity that way, you may not have to go near a branch with any documents.

187635

The electoral roll form requires you to give a previous address. Where presumably, they check to see if you were on it there. Which I wasn't. I've had what they call a 'chaotic lifestyle'. Which it would be nice to change, but it's not so easy.

colsten - thanks for the link, but I think that noodle URL might have changed? Coming up as 'unavailable or may not exist'

187635

& thanks paragon for the links. Interesting. I wonder if the paying card accounts still need you to be on the electoral roll. Probably. I think maybe this isn't doable. Thanks folks anyway.

d123

187635 wrote: »

& thanks paragon for the links. Interesting. I wonder if the paying card accounts still need you to be on the electoral roll. Probably. I think maybe this isn't doable. Thanks folks anyway.

Have you read the MSE Basic Bank account guide?

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

The 2 basic accounts normally suggested (as Martin has) are Barclays and the Co-op.

colsten

187635 wrote: »

colsten - thanks for the link, but I think that noodle URL might have changed? Coming up as 'unavailable or may not exist'

LOL, sorry, I meant https://www.noddle.co.uk/

colsten

187635 wrote: »

The electoral roll form requires you to give a previous address. Where presumably, they check to see if you were on it there. Which I wasn't.

Well, if you weren't at the previous address, you didn't have a previous address, did you?

Registering for the electoral role is really easy: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

If you don't manage to complete the ER registration successfully, I am sorry but I reckon there's no chance for you to get a UK bank account.

georgina17

This is probably a stupid question, but I'm thinking of setting up a basic bank account to help me budget (just a spending account for my leisure/fun jam jar -I don't want an overdraft at all, nor the need to pay in a certain amount).

Is it bad for my credit rating to apply for a basic bank account? Or to have a separate account for different spending?

*EDIT: I already have a current account with Natwest*

Archi_Bald

georgina17, current accounts are only of very limited help with budgeting. It's all much easier, and much more comprehensive, with personal finance management software. There are plenty of them but a favourite of MSE is YNAB - - - with its own supporters thread on MSE: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5027025