Can’t open bank account after CIFAS marker have dissapeared

brigitta2

Hello,
I am currently in very desperate situation, and hope that maybe you could give me some advise.
I’ve had a CIFAS marker 6 years ago, all my bank accounts were closed, and I have stayed with international bank account for those 6 years. Howrever, now the 6 year period is finished, i have sent a letter for CIFAS, who have confirmed that they do not have my name in their data base. Sounds like green light. Howether, my application for the bank account was cancelled again, I am still not able to open any bank account. I don’t know what to do anymore, am i not gonna be able to open a UK bank account forewether?

alphabravocharli

I think you should try to open an account where you have not applied before and got rejected also as a start try to open basic account instead of regular account.

brigitta2 wrote: »

Hello,
I am currently in very desperate situation, and hope that maybe you could give me some advise.
I’ve had a CIFAS marker 6 years ago, all my bank accounts were closed, and I have stayed with international bank account for those 6 years. Howrever, now the 6 year period is finished, i have sent a letter for CIFAS, who have confirmed that they do not have my name in their data base. Sounds like green light. Howether, my application for the bank account was cancelled again, I am still not able to open any bank account. I don’t know what to do anymore, am i not gonna be able to open a UK bank account forewether?

[Deleted User]

brigitta2 wrote: »

Hello,
I am currently in very desperate situation, and hope that maybe you could give me some advise.
I’ve had a CIFAS marker 6 years ago, all my bank accounts were closed, and I have stayed with international bank account for those 6 years. Howrever, now the 6 year period is finished, i have sent a letter for CIFAS, who have confirmed that they do not have my name in their data base. Sounds like green light. Howether, my application for the bank account was cancelled again, I am still not able to open any bank account. I don’t know what to do anymore, am i not gonna be able to open a UK bank account forewether?

You've presumably had no credit history in these 6 years.

Try a basic account first

eskbanker

brigitta2 wrote: »

I am currently in very desperate situation

How is it a very desperate situation if, by your own admission, you've coped without a UK bank account for the last six years?

Anyway, you presumably don't actually know why your latest application has been rejected - it may be nothing to do with the expired CIFAS marker and people are rejected for bank accounts every day for a variety of reasons.

One avenue to explore would be your credit files, which may contain entries that spook banks - check these free at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

Something as simple as not being on the electoral roll, for example, can make a difference between eligibility and not, so review the credit reports and see if there's anything you can do to improve your chances of success.

If not, then, as above, basic accounts may be the answer: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts/

System

Try something like Nationwide FlexBasic account. If you go into a branch they may be able to help you better than if you try online.

brigitta2

Well I coped those 6 years without a UK bank account, because i did not have any other option. But i can't even have direct debits on non uk bank account, therefore even my car insurence, phone contract and etc had to be set up on somebody elses card etc, which is a big struggle. Also, if I won't be able to open a bank account, that would mean i will never be able to take out a mortgage. Therefore it is a desperate situation. Also, barclays bank have told me that once they say no its a no for life. And because i have only 2 or 3 banks left, where I haven't applied already, I am scared to try apply again. I was just hoping maybe somebody have had CIFAS marker before and could tell me if they have managed to open a bank account after the marker was removed.

BoGoF

As above, try with a bank that you have never had any previous dealings with. Banks are allowed to retain certain information beyond the 'normal' 6 years for the prevention of fraud etc.

So any bank you had previous dealings may also have a similar policy to Barclays.

brigitta2

The last bank that i have tried was RBS, i have never applyied to this bank before, but after looking in a google today i have found that this bank is connected with NatWest bank, which i have tried to apply before, maybe thats the reason they have closed my account. I will try to apply to clydlesdale bank, as it looks like its not connected to other main banks, so hopefully it will work. The worst thing is that they always open you a bank account, send you the card etc, make you think that its finally ok, and then few days later they send you the letter that unfortunattely your account is closed.

eskbanker

brigitta2 wrote: »

i have only 2 or 3 banks left, where I haven't applied already

I find that hard to believe, but if you clarify which banks closed your accounts six years ago, plus those that you've subsequently applied to, then posters may be able to help with more specific recommendations. Anecdotally, people on here sometimes mention Monzo, for example, as an account that's easier to open than, say, HSBC....

System

Mrs_Arthur_Crown wrote: »

Try something like Nationwide FlexBasic account. If you go into a branch they may be able to help you better than if you try online.

None of the banks (including Nationwide BS) allow you to apply directly for a basic account - they offer it you pass the ID criteria but fail their credit checking criteria - for a standard account.

System

brigitta2 wrote: »

The last bank that i have tried was RBS, i have never applyied to this bank before, but after looking in a google today i have found that this bank is connected with NatWest bank, which i have tried to apply before, maybe thats the reason they have closed my account. I will try to apply to clydlesdale bank, as it looks like its not connected to other main banks, so hopefully it will work. The worst thing is that they always open you a bank account, send you the card etc, make you think that its finally ok, and then few days later they send you the letter that unfortunattely your account is closed.

Clydesdale is linked to Yorkshire, B and Virgin Money.

Try the app banks - Monzo or Starling - the former is extremely lenient with applicants.