Trying to open a current account with debit card access.

Mattowns

Has anyone managed to open a current account over the past few weeks.  HSBC recently took away card access from my account and it is quite time consuming having to go all the way down to their branch and queue up to withdraw my money.  HSBC informed they will not be opening current accounts for any customers during this pandemic, so I will have to continue to visit the branch for my money.

I am more than happy to try another bank, ideally would like one that can be opened on line and have the card posted to me.  Could Halifax, Lloyds, Santander be more accommodating.

wizzywig27

From my own personal experience Lloyds (and I assume Halifax) give a decision straight away (should you pass their criteria) and give you the sort code and account number straight away.

Metro also print the card in branch same day - although this may have changed due to Covid

molerat

Someone answered your previous post about the card being withdrawn that they had opened an HSBC current account on line and received a card so HSBC are opening accounts, maybe not in branch though.  Any current account has a debit card so opening a current account with any bank should give you what you want.  Is there a reason why you have previously not had a current account ?

colsten

Just about all banks take applications for current accounts online. Many give you an instant decision, too. Current account opening has been largely unaffected by the lockdown. HSBC and one or two others are, however, known to be 1) picky about who they accept, and 2) very slow in opening accounts.

But why have HSBC taken your card away? What doe your credit files look like? You need a clean-ish credit history to be accepted for a current account, and you should also be on the Electoral Register.

wizzywig27

colsten said:

Just about all banks take applications for current accounts online. Many give you an instant decision, too. Current account opening has been largely unaffected by the lockdown. HSBC and one or two others are, however, known to be 1) picky about who they accept, and 2) very slow in opening accounts.

But why have HSBC taken your card away? What doe your credit files look like? You need a clean-ish credit history to be accepted for a current account, and you should also be on the Electoral Register.

Could they have potentially taken it away as its a savings account which doesn't come with a card?

colsten

This almost certainly means that they were unable to find you on whichever credit reference agency they use, and/or on the Electoral Register. You'd very likely encounter the same issue with other banks. 

Mrs_Ryan

You need a clean-ish credit history to be accepted for a current account, and you should also be on the Electoral Register.

No, you don’t. My credit history is lousy and I’ve got full current accounts (not basic accounts or cash accounts) with NatWest and Metro and a student account with Barclays. I have a 1k overdraft with Barclays. It’s perfectly possible to get a decent current account with a bad credit history.