denied bank account application

yours3lf

Hi,

I currently have a bank account at Virgin Money, however they provide a very !!!!!! service, so I'm looking to switch so that I can get a contactless debit card and online transaction (which are not available at Virgin Money --> not recommended!).
I tried to apply to Co-Op bank, however they decllined me saying my credit history is not good enough. Same thing goes for Barclays. I only tried to apply for their basic current accounts, not a one with overdraft.
Since I've only been in the UK for half a year, I don't have a credit history yet (I can't even check it online).
The situation is kind of weird, since a person I know came to the Uk around the same time I did, and he's been accepted by Barclays recently.

So what do I do?

grumbler

Yes, no history is about as bad as a bad history.
You have to work to create it faster, and, e.g., cheap mobile contract and/or a store/catalogue card can help if you can get them. So can some renting agreements, utilities contracts and the electoral roll if you are eligible to vote.

Any chance your Virgin account is a basic one? Such accounts often aren't reported to CRAs.

MSE article: Credit Scores

yours3lf

It is a basic current account, yes.

I just don't get why my friend could open one, and I couldn't.

grumbler

Did you apply online or in a branch?
Without any history, when they can't verify anything electronically, I think it's better to apply in a branch with as many proofs of ID and address as possible. Some reference from the employer can help too.

yours3lf

I applied in a branch with proof of address and ID (they asked me for those) in both cases

eDicky

yours3lf wrote: »

I just don't get why my friend could open one, and I couldn't.

Your friend must have been doing something to establish a credit history, whereas you apparently have not. Does she/he have a mobile phone or home utility contract etc? What do you have..?

Marchitiello

When I was at Uni and working part time in retail recruitment, I often helped EU citizen just arrived in the country to get an NI number and open a current account (I think the equivalent of basic as it came with an Electron card).

All the bank asked fo was prof of address /tenancy contract, and offer of employment from our company.

Bare in mind EU citizen can register to vote for local election as soon as they move here.

yours3lf

He has not paid anything at all yet, as he does not have a job yet.
I have a decent job so I pay our rent and all the bills, payg sim card. We recently got a 1 month rolling contract broadband.
So I'd say his credit history was just as empty as mine.

My current employer did get me my NI number.

colsten

You said you don't have a credit history - are you sure? If you have a bank account, your details are likely to be registered with one of more credit reference agencies.

You didn't say which country/countries you and your friend are from - there could be restrictions based on your country of origin.

Once you have confirmed that there are indeed no adverse credit agency and/or CIFAS markers for you, you could try someone like Lloyds or Nationwide.

yours3lf

Well, you are right, I can't know for sure.

Clearscore and Noddle said they can't find my credit report...
That being said I never had a loan, I only paid bills in my home country. I've never done any identity fraud.

We are from Hungary.

eDicky

yours3lf wrote: »

We recently got a 1 month rolling contract broadband.

With the contract in your name?