Bank account for Ukrainian refugees.

Voyager2002

Good morning,

So the first trickle of Ukrainians has arrived in my community, and we are seeking to advise them on the fastest way to open a bank account. Obviously they have no credit history nor record of addresses in this country: are they still likely to be accepted for most 'basic' bank accounts? Any suggestions on which banks seem to be geared up for people in this situation?

Daliah

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

The Scottish Refugee Council recommend RBS, BOS, TSB and Barclays. Though their recommendations sound overly bureaucratic to me - I'd try one of the above first. https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ENGLISH_how_to_open_a_bank_account_April_2014.pdf

There's also a helpful guide from the Refugee Council.

Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK will have valid passports, and should have some sort of proof of address, too. If they don't, they can apply for benefits and thereby get Government communication which can be used as proof of   I know the refugees are not likely to be entitled to vote, but they should probably still register on the Electoral Roll 

droberts26

NatWest and RBS both have details on their sites, including what is required for opening

https://www.rbs.co.uk/ukraine-refugees.html
https://www.natwest.com/ukraine-refugees.html

Molehusband

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

I fully sympathise with the terrible situation these Ukrainians are having to go through and I applaud all those who have offered them accommodation and support.

In addition to the things you have suggested, there are other considerations such as language and technology matters. For example, will they have access to appropriate technology in this country to sign up to online accounts and, even if so, will they encounter language problems? I think they may initially find it easier to open an account in person at a branch taking identification information (passport, Visa etc) together with someone accompanying them to help with UK language and banking practice.

[Deleted User]

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

The Scottish Refugee Council recommend RBS, BOS, TSB and Barclays. Though their recommendations sound overly bureaucratic to me - I'd try one of the above first. https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ENGLISH_how_to_open_a_bank_account_April_2014.pdf

There's also a helpful guide from the Refugee Council.

Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK will have valid passports, and should have some sort of proof of address, too. If they don't, they can apply for benefits and thereby get Government communication which can be used as proof of   I know the refugees are not likely to be entitled to vote, but they should probably still register on the Electoral Roll 

Scottish organisation recommends three of the four main Scottish banks - it not a question of bureaucracy but simple logic.

Monzo accepts virtually everyone but Starling seem more picky and neither offer an actual basic account to lieu of their standard offering. 

Rob5342

Deleted_User said:

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

The Scottish Refugee Council recommend RBS, BOS, TSB and Barclays. Though their recommendations sound overly bureaucratic to me - I'd try one of the above first. https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ENGLISH_how_to_open_a_bank_account_April_2014.pdf

There's also a helpful guide from the Refugee Council.

Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK will have valid passports, and should have some sort of proof of address, too. If they don't, they can apply for benefits and thereby get Government communication which can be used as proof of   I know the refugees are not likely to be entitled to vote, but they should probably still register on the Electoral Roll 

Monzo accepts virtually everyone but Starling seem more picky and neither offer an actual basic account to lieu of their standard offering. 

Is there really any difference between a current account with no overdraft facility given and a so called basic account? I have a Monzo account with no overdraft and I can't see how it is any difference to Nationwide's flexbasic account (in terms of nasic baking features, there are obviously the app differences0

WhoopsIDidItAgainITrolledWithYourHeart

Molehusband said:

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

I fully sympathise with the terrible situation these Ukrainians are having to go through and I applaud all those who have offered them accommodation and support.

In addition to the things you have suggested, there are other considerations such as language and technology matters. For example, will they have access to appropriate technology in this country to sign up to online accounts and, even if so, will they encounter language problems? I think they may initially find it easier to open an account in person at a branch taking identification information (passport, Visa etc) together with someone accompanying them to help with UK language and banking practice.

Of course they do, they're from Ukraine, not Wales.

eDicky

Molehusband said:

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

 I think they may initially find it easier to open an account in person at a branch

If I were a Ukrainian with limited English I'd prefer trying to apply for a bank account on a Chase/Starling/Monzo smartphone app first, rather than attempting to communicate with bank branch staff.

Daliah

Rob5342 said:

Deleted_User said:

Daliah said:

In theory, every bank, plus Nationwide Building Society, should give them a Basic Bank Account. I'd try Nationwide to start with, as they are the only one, AFAIK, who actually allow people to apply for their Basic Account, whilst the others will only give you such an account if they won't accept you for one of their other account.

Also Chase UK / Starling Bank / Monzo should be an option, as they don't carry out hard searches, so lack of credit history is not an issue. Monzo actually state on their website they welcome refugees. As they are digital-only banks, they might not be the right choice for everybody.

The Scottish Refugee Council recommend RBS, BOS, TSB and Barclays. Though their recommendations sound overly bureaucratic to me - I'd try one of the above first. https://www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ENGLISH_how_to_open_a_bank_account_April_2014.pdf

There's also a helpful guide from the Refugee Council.

Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK will have valid passports, and should have some sort of proof of address, too. If they don't, they can apply for benefits and thereby get Government communication which can be used as proof of   I know the refugees are not likely to be entitled to vote, but they should probably still register on the Electoral Roll 

Monzo accepts virtually everyone but Starling seem more picky and neither offer an actual basic account to lieu of their standard offering. 

Is there really any difference between a current account with no overdraft facility given and a so called basic account? I have a Monzo account with no overdraft and I can't see how it is any difference to Nationwide's flexbasic account (in terms of nasic baking features, there are obviously the app differences0

You are right, there‘s no difference in functionality between most of the basic and the digital accounts. Some banks still don‘t give contactless cards to basic account customers, and Santander have a particularly peculiar set-up as their basic customers get 2 cards, one for taking out cash, and the other for making payments

Molehusband

eDicky said:

Molehusband said:

 I think they may initially find it easier to open an account in person at a branch

If I were a Ukrainian with limited English I'd prefer trying to apply for a bank account on a Chase/Starling/Monzo smartphone app first, rather than attempting to communicate with bank branch staff.

If I were a Ukrainian with limited English no way would I want to go online in a foreign country to struggle with foreign language mobile apps which I have probably never encountered before. Many of the people I know in this country have little, if any, idea about banking using a mobile app.

I'd far prefer to go to a bank branch together with one of my English hosts who can help explain to the bank staff my situation & requirements. The bank staff will probably also have access to head office resources to deal with the new potential customers.