Opening Basic Bank Account - Instant Opening/Electronic ID verification - for State Pension

darren72

A family member is wanting to open a basic bank account. They do not have photo ID so looking for a bank account that can be opened without photo ID.

Does anyone know of any accounts that do their ID checks electronically. Ideally one where the account is opened either straight away or quite quickly ?

It is for an elderly relative for their pension payments to be paid into.

Thanks in advance

System

Try Natwest. My Son has just opened an account with them with the minimum of fuss or proof of documentation.

hangonthebox

For a speedy application process and quick delivery of cards and other documentation I can recommend Yorkshire Bank (or Clydesdale if you're north of the border) or Lloyds Bank. My pick of those would be Yorkshire - I'm a customer of three years' standing, holding multiple products and have never had a complaint. I only hold one product with Lloyds but have had no issues.

I recommend avoiding Natwest (very slow to get things set up and send documentation) and HSBC (just an awful bank in general).

colsten

darren72 wrote: »

A family member is wanting to open a basic bank account. They do not have photo ID so looking for a bank account that can be opened without photo ID.

Does anyone know of any accounts that do their ID checks electronically. Ideally one where the account is opened either straight away or quite quickly ?

It is for an elderly relative for their pension payments to be paid into.

If they have no credit history, they will have difficulty opening an account online. Some form of ID is likely to be required. This doesn't have to necessarily be a photo ID - check with each bank. I happen to know that the Post Office accept other forms of ID - see https://www.postoffice.co.uk/current-accounts

What are the requirements of your relative for accessing their money? Can they operate the account online? Do they need a Branch?

darren72

colsten wrote: »

If they have no credit history, they will have difficulty opening an account online. Some form of ID is likely to be required. This doesn't have to necessarily be a photo ID - check with each bank. I happen to know that the Post Office accept other forms of ID - see https://www.postoffice.co.uk/current-accounts

What are the requirements of your relative for accessing their money? Can they operate the account online? Do they need a Branch?

Thank you - I will take a look. It is purely to withdraw cash via a card from the post office counter, and for their pension to be paid into the account. They don't need any other access.

Savings1234

HSBC would accept a benefits notification letter, or HMRC tax calculation letter as ID and if on the voters roll no proof of address documents would be needed, if not then the council tax bill or a utility bill is acceptable as proof of address

colsten

darren72 wrote: »

Thank you - I will take a look. It is purely to withdraw cash via a card from the post office counter, and for their pension to be paid into the account. They don't need any other access.

In which case, you need to make sure that the chosen Bank is supported by the Post Office. Most probably are: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-banking-services

But how does the relative manage their account? Do they need paper statements? How will they check how much they have in their account? How do they pay their bills? Some current accounts are online, and paperless, only. Can your relative handle online banking?

darren72

colsten wrote: »

In which case, you need to make sure that the chosen Bank is supported by the Post Office. Most probably are: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-banking-services

But how does the relative manage their account? Do they need paper statements? How will they check how much they have in their account? How do they pay their bills? Some current accounts are online, and paperless, only. Can your relative handle online banking?

Thank you. They pay all their bills by cash at the post office. They would check their balance at the post office with their card and withdraw via the same means. They do not want to pay their bills via any other method. A paper statement would be useful, but as they know how much is being paid in the account it isn't essential.

colsten

Savings1234 wrote: »

HSBC would accept a benefits notification letter, or HMRC tax calculation letter as ID and if on the voters roll no proof of address documents would be needed, if not then the council tax bill or a utility bill is acceptable as proof of address

HSBC is one of the most picky and difficult banks to open an account with. They would be pretty much bottom of my list for someone who seems to be new to banking at pension age.

colsten

darren72 wrote: »

Thank you. They pay all their bills by cash at the post office. They would check their balance at the post office with their card and withdraw via the same means. They do not want to pay their bills via any other method. A paper statement would be useful, but as they know how much is being paid in the account it isn't essential.

Hmh. Not checking a statement regularly is asking for trouble.

Also, if your relative expects to transact at the PO, their choice of account will be limited. E.g. they can't have a Tesco or Metro account. Best to check beforehand that the PO can provide everything that is required.

sheramber

If X amount of pension goes in each month and X amount is withdrawn each month there won't be a lot of need for a statement.