Best bank account for no credit history?

jandk

I am currently with Smile Bank however am looking to change to a high street bank as I would like to be able to go into my bank and also to apply for a credit card. I live in the Channel Islands and apparently credit card companies don't look favourably on CI residents and only high street banks will.

My credit rating isn't great but this seems to be because I don't have anything on it! My current account is always in credit and I have no loans, credit cards etc. I'm on the electoral roll, however as a CI resident, I've had to send a "dispute" to Equifax to update my credit file with proof I'm on the electoral roll.

I seem to be going round in circles as I can't get a credit card with a low rating and I have a low rating as I don't have a credit card! I did apply for a card a few months back as my eligibility was high, but then I was refused due to my location. My bank (Smile) have also refused even a credit card because I'm in the CI.

Will I be accepted by any high street bank - do they look at credit scores? I'm mid 40's and am looking to do up my house and would like a credit card as a back up but I feel like I should have run up 1000's of pounds worth of debt as it would be easier to have a credit score!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a high street bank that will accept me even though I'm invisible when it comes to debts?

Thank you 😊

msallen

Why not walk into a bank branch in the CI and see about making an application in person there?

jandk

Because I wondered if anyone had any recommendations. I don't want to apply and be refused then have a "footprint" on my credit file which will go against me even further.

Geoff1963

I think financial institutions can do a "soft search" which leaves no footprint. It won't guarantee eligibility, but would identify anything really serious. If the CI bank has a policy of no CC to CI residents, that isn't a you-specific question.

Anthorn

Where in Channel Islands?

Probably Virgin Money Essential Current Account. Their stated residency blurb states: "You must be 18 or over and resident in the UK or EU to open an Essential Current Account." The main drawback is it cannot be opened online and you need to visit a Virgin Money branch to open it.
https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/current-account/essential-current-account.jsp

EarthBoy

Anthorn wrote: »

Where in Channel Islands?

Probably Virgin Money Essential Current Account. Their stated residency blurb states: "You must be 18 or over and resident in the UK or EU to open an Essential Current Account."

The Channel Islands are not officially part of the UK or the EU. They are crown dependencies.

Anthorn

EarthBoy wrote: »

The Channel Islands are not officially part of the UK or the EU. They are crown dependencies.

Where did I say the Channels Islands were part of the U.K. or E.U? Quote and link please.

In fact I listed the residency requirements of Virgin Money Essential Current Account without comment other than to correctly state that the account can only be opened in a Virgin Money branch.

d123

Anthorn wrote: »

Where did I say the Channels Islands were part of the U.K. or E.U? Quote and link please.

In fact I listed the residency requirements of Virgin Money Essential Current Account without comment other than to correctly state that the account can only be opened in a Virgin Money branch.

So what was the point of recommending an account he was not eligible for?

He's not a resident of the UK or EU...

Anthorn wrote: »

Where in Channel Islands?

Probably Virgin Money Essential Current Account. Their stated residency blurb states: "You must be 18 or over and resident in the UK or EU to open an Essential Current Account."

https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/current-account/essential-current-account.jsp

Anthorn

d123 wrote: »

So what was the point of recommending an account he was not eligible for?

He's not a resident of the UK or EU...

Could it be because Virgin Money has a branch in Guernsey? Go back to my original post and you will see that I asked, "Where in Channel Islands".

http://www.bankpoint.co.uk/banks/channel-islands/guernsey/virgin-money-1163113

EarthBoy

Anthorn wrote: »

Could it be because Virgin Money has a branch in Guernsey?

They don't have a branch in Guernsey, at least not according to their website. When you search for Guernsey on the store finder, it tells you that the nearest branches are in Bournemouth or Exeter.

The link you provided wasn't a Virgin Money link, so it can't be relied on, and the so-called Virgin Money "branch" on that link is nothing but a PO box number, not a physical address. According to the Royal Mail postcode database that PO box number is now closed. So the info you provided was completely useless.

Geoff1963

I always laugh when I'm directed to "nearby" car sellers, based on straight-line distance : ignoring rivers, estuaries, and seas.
Try taking a holiday to the mainland, and calling in some branches.