basic bank account

Susan_Beaumont

hello everybody
I am new on here so please excuse if I don't get this right.
I am desperate to close my 123 current account with Santander, this account is now in the black after years of using their overdraft facility at an approximate cost of £40 a month.
I want a basic account, no overdraft and a debit card.
I thought first direct was a safe bet but they have just turned me down due to past credit problems ( my husband and I are currently paying for this through Step change and have a 100% payment record and slowly getting back on our feet).


My question is simple ;
Will anybody out there help us escape Santander ?

john1002

Not sure why you choose first direct for a basic bank account they don't do one, and one of the harder banks to get an account with as they have an automatic overdraft hence the decline, people with perfect histories can't get one. Have a search on the bank account thread at the top of MSE, they have a basic bank account section, one to try is nationwide.

Good luck

john

colsten

You are unlikely to be offered a basic account if you qualify for a "normal" account - which you seem to be as you have a 123. Almost all banks offer basic accounts so you could try your luck with any of them, including Santander. Did you ask Santander to downgrade you to their basic account?

Anthorn

In theory, everyone should be able to get a basic bank account regardless of credit history. But in practice possibly no they can't especially if they have been bankrupt or have an IVA.

Try Lloyds Bank. If they cannot offer you a regular account they might offer you a basic account. I know some people who were successful at Lloyds Bank whereas they were unsuccessful elsewhere. Hence my recommendation.

Dobbibill

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

try this link - MSE basic account information

bigadaj

Nationwide would be worth trying.

xylophone

Santander itself offers a basic account.

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

pinkdalek

Anthorn wrote: »

In theory, everyone should be able to get a basic bank account regardless of credit history. But in practice possibly no they can't especially if they have been bankrupt or have an IVA.

.

Not correct.
Basic accounts will be offered to a customer if they fail the banks own credit scoring for a full account.
A bank may only refuse a basic account if it has a valid reason e.g. the customer had been with them in the past and defaulted with them or gone bankrupt and never paid back the debts that the bank had to write off.

cifpower

xylophone wrote: »

Santander itself offers a basic account.

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

Why open another account with the bank you owe money too?

Try Barclays. Basic account is just the same as the full current account but with no credit facilities. The Nationwide basic account's debit card is contactless if that's important to you.

[Deleted User]

cifpower wrote: »

Why open another account with the bank you owe money too?

Try Barclays. Basic account is just the same as the full current account but with no credit facilities. The Nationwide basic account's debit card is contactless if that's important to you.

The OP has made it clear that she has repaid her OD with Santander.

Her best bet would surely be to ask Santander to downgrade her to a non fee current account, requesting no OD facility.

TheGardener

Barclays and the Co-op have offered basic accounts to everyone including Bankrupts for many years. Most banks don't usually promote basic accounts - you may have to ask specifically for them and insist in some cases that you are not offered a regular current account. Another option is the Nationwide flexdirect but if you have CRA problems select zero£ overdraft and 'no' for the cheque book.
If there is any hint of a fraud marker on your CRF then no one will open an account for you.
Check all the basics on your CRF like electoral role and financial associations.