getting a Basic Bank Account with low credit score

Want_a_bank

I have managed to get myself into a financial mess due to a combination of house moves, child illnesses and lack of postal deliveries. I have to admit I am not the greatest with my finances but am now trying to sort myself out. I work full time and have a wife and three young children.
I did have a bank account with Halifax but they closed it when I was looking at setting up an IVA. Since then I have been unable to get a Basic Bank Account with anyone. I have tried most of the recommended banks for those in my situation. I need an account for my salary and bills. 
Has anyone been in the same situation and how did you resolve the issue?

sourcrates

A basic bank account should be available to all, as there is no borrowing or credit check involved, but you usually can only get one when you are turned down for a regular current account.

Unless there are some issues on your credit file to do with fraud of any kind, then you may be rejected outright.

Have you checked all three of your credit files ?

StevenB12

I was able to set up a basic bank account with NatWest when I started my DRO. I had loans out with TSB & Lloyd's, and was recommended to change banks as quickly as I could. 

My natwest one has no overdraft etc, and I've got one basic savings account through them now, didn't have any trouble opening an account with them online. I was told they may close my account if they did a search and seen I had a DRO, but all has been fine. 

Want_a_bank

StevenB12 said:

I was able to set up a basic bank account with NatWest when I started my DRO. I had loans out with TSB & Lloyd's, and was recommended to change banks as quickly as I could. 

My natwest one has no overdraft etc, and I've got one basic savings account through them now, didn't have any trouble opening an account with them online. I was told they may close my account if they did a search and seen I had a DRO, but all has been fine. 

Were you able to open the NatWest account on line or did you have to go into a branch?

Want_a_bank

sourcrates said:

A basic bank account should be available to all, as there is no borrowing or credit check involved, but you usually can only get one when you are turned down for a regular current account.

Unless there are some issues on your credit file to do with fraud of any kind, then you may be rejected outright.

Have you checked all three of your credit files ?

I am trying to check my credit files. I have managed to do Experian which, although I have debt listed and a low score, looks okay. Without a bank account I cannot access the other two - they will not let someone

Want_a_bank

Don't know how to edit the comment above: should say "someone pay for me"

JadedAngel88

Want_a_bank said:

Don't know how to edit the comment above: should say "someone pay for me"

You don't pay for them they are free via clear score, credit karma and mse credit club.

Edited to add:
www.clearscore.com

www.creditkarma.co.uk

https://clubs.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub/login

sourcrates

You can request a statutory report free of charge on all the main CRA websites.

Statutory Credit Report | Experian

Equifax Statutory Credit Report | Equifax UK

Get Your Statutory Credit Report (transunionstatreport.co.uk)

fatbelly

All the info you need on BBAs is here

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/banking/basic-bank-accounts

StevenB12

Want_a_bank said:

StevenB12 said:

I was able to set up a basic bank account with NatWest when I started my DRO. I had loans out with TSB & Lloyd's, and was recommended to change banks as quickly as I could. 

My natwest one has no overdraft etc, and I've got one basic savings account through them now, didn't have any trouble opening an account with them online. I was told they may close my account if they did a search and seen I had a DRO, but all has been fine. 

Were you able to open the NatWest account on line or did you have to go into a branch?

Online. Never had to go in branch. They rejected me for various other accounts online and suggested a bare basic account which I was accepted for immediately.