Opening a bank account without UK address history or credit file

kingblah

I'm struggling to open up a UK bank account - I've moved back to the UK after being abroad for 5 years (I'm a UK citizen). I'm employed also full time.

I tried opening up an account with Co-Op, I received an email saying they'd like to see ID etc, then I received a letter the day after saying my application was rejected and they didn't provide a reason. I tried opening an account with Lloyds, I was asked to come in and provide ID, so I provided my passport, 10 days later receive an email saying the application has been accepted and provided me with a sort code and account number, then 30 mins later receive a text saying my application was unsuccessful. In branch they confirmed I failed the credit check. I told them I didn't want an overdraft or any credit facility, and I do not have a credit record as I've been out of the UK, and they said they need to do a credit check for ID purposes, even though I already provided them proof of address and my passport!

How on earth do I open an account? I'm going to run out of banks at this rate, and I'm worried I'll be unable to get my salary paid as my company only pays via BACS as far as I'm aware!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

agrinnall

What sort of account have you been trying to open? I think you are more likely to be successful if you stick to Basic bank accounts, although even then it'll probably be a struggle. Are you in a position to get on the electoral register where you are living, as that is a big step in the right direction?

kingblah

Thanks for the quick reply - I did sign up to the electoral register as soon as I moved in but the local authority (Hammersmith & Fulham) told me it wouldn't go on till September, and then I imagine it'll take even longer for the reference agencies to be updated. Won't I still then fail a credit check as I literally have zero credit history?

SnowTiger

A friend from foreign lands opened an account with Loot. It's a pre-paid card, but comes with a sort code and account number. No FSCS protection though.

Another alternative would be to open a savings account. They're not credit checked and often come with a sort code and account number.

A basic bank account is usually offered to punters who fail a credit check.

kingblah

Thanks for the tip! I guess I'll use one of those pre-paid accounts temporarily, then build up a credit rating via utility bills (I can't think of any other way! I've been rejected even by the credit builder cards as I completely lack a history) and then apply for a proper bank account once this is sufficiently built - is this the best option?

Lloyds unfortunately didn't offer me a basic bank account and just turned me away as soon as they were unable to perform a credit check.

eskbanker

kingblah wrote: »

I've moved back to the UK after being abroad for 5 years

[...]

I do not have a credit record as I've been out of the UK

Surely being away for five years doesn't completely eradicate a credit history if you had one before leaving, given obligations to retain at least some data for six years?

kingblah

Eskbanker - I was living at my Parent's house before moving abroad (I'm only 25) and did not have any credit products - I've tried viewing my credit profile using Noddle and Experian and it's returning nothing. I'm not entirely sure how the credit scoring works, but as they're asking for addresses for the previous 3 years, it's certainly not picking up anything.

eskbanker

kingblah wrote: »

(I'm only 25) and did not have any credit products

Seems odd - you posted eight years ago that you were 20, and that you had a credit card and a mobile contract at the time: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/23982703#Comment_23982703

When did you settle the last of those?

kingblah

Typo, apologies. I'm 28 years old*. These were settled seven years ago after I left university. However, I'm not entirely sure where you're heading with this line of investigation and I'm not so comfortable with your accusatory tone by trawling through posts from 8 years ago - I had actually forgotten I had a credit card as it was settled in full so long ago. Can we go back on topic please?

SuperHan

kingblah wrote: »

Typo, apologies. I'm 28 years old*. These were settled seven years ago after I left university. However, I'm not entirely sure where you're heading with this line of investigation and I'm not so comfortable with your accusatory tone by trawling through posts from 8 years ago - I had actually forgotten I had a credit card as it was settled in full so long ago. Can we go back on topic please?

It's hard to give proper advice without the full picture.


When did you close your bank account that you were paying your credit card/phone contract from?


There's one of two things that may be the issue here - you don't have a credit record, or you can't find it. It matters whether you've had any activity in the last 6 years, so the questions about when you closed these are on topic.


Were you taken off the electoral roll at your parents house? If not, then maybe try signing up and putting that as your address, as that's where the CRA's will think you were living even though you were actually abroad.

kingblah

SuperHan wrote: »

It's hard to give proper advice without the full picture.


When did you close your bank account that you were paying your credit card/phone contract from?


There's one of two things that may be the issue here - you don't have a credit record, or you can't find it. It matters whether you've had any activity in the last 6 years, so the questions about when you closed these are on topic.


Were you taken off the electoral roll at your parents house? If not, then maybe try signing up and putting that as your address, as that's where the CRA's will think you were living even though you were actually abroad.

Thanks for the context! I really have no clue how the agencies work, despite reading all of the guides on here - it's still not completely transparent so you'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge in this area.

We all moved abroad together - but I've come back to the UK myself because of work. I believe we'd already have been taken off the roll ~ 5 years ago when we left the UK. The accounts were all settled before we left (I never really used the credit card, if at all, and the mobile phone was cancelled at the end of the contract perhaps 6 years ago).

Additionally, when attempting to open the bank accounts they ask for 3 years of previous addresses, I'm really unsure how to "link" it to my mysterious credit record in this case! It doesn't seem that my situation lends itself well to being "found" by the CRA's!