Current Account for people with ccj's

Oakey76uk

I have ccj's but need to open a current account.
Does anyone know a bank that has such an account. i dont want an overdraft or cheque book but do need current account facilities.

boogiemaster

I have a really low credit score and I have some CCJS and Halifax gave me a debit visa card and a £200 overdraft
I do get my money paid straight into my account with them, but I would try them as they seem to give a lot of people with bad debt and low credit scores accounts

And plus my bad debt showed up on their computer, but they still gave me a chance.

Cat72

I was declared bankrupt 5 years ago and have all sorts of hassle getting a bank account.Eventually I got one with lloyds tsb but do not have a credit card. There was a policy being put through by the goverment because banks were discriminating against those with bad credit ratings and not giving them an account. So certain banks have agreed to issue basic accounts ( lloyds tsb being one ).If you get a basic account and have money regularily paid in they will review the situation. If they dont then you have a good history to take to another bank.

Fedz

Most banks have basic bank accounts, alot with debit cards eg: VISA Electron.

I can second what boogiemaster says as I also got a VISA (Delta) debit card with £250 o/d facility with Halifax but I got this after using the Halifax Web Saver account for 2 months with salary going in Weekly.

I now have a Co-Operative Cashamaster account (VISA Electron debit card) because I prefer The Co-Op for ethical reasons

I purely wanted the full current account the Halifax offered to gain 3rd party credit facilities - it served it's purpose

More info on basic bank accounts can be found by searching MSE and seeing Basic Bank Accounts Compared

Kind regards

tinalives

I believe Natwest are supposed to be quite good for people in those circumstances.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

Natwest do an account called the step account:

http://www.natwest.com/personal/services/currentaccounts/index.asp?navid=PERSONAL/ACCOUNTS_SERVICES/CURRENT_ACCOUNTS/STEP_ACCOUNT

It is suppose to be very good and after a few months you can ask for the account to be upgraded to a full current account.

When I couldnt get credit-I had an account with the Halifax called a cardcash account, but am unsure if this still exists.

Good Luck

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

draconian_2

I would like to add to this if I may.
In 1999 following a right crappy divorce I was on the verge of bankruptcy - 8 defaults and a lotta lotta debt >70k!!.
I wen to woolich for a basic account, They gave me an account that after 6 months was upgraded to an Open Plan Account. I got a cheque book and Visa Electron debit/cash card. I have now had that account ever since.
My debt is down to £17k but only 11k is on my credit file. I recently opened a new account following the purchase of a house (first after the loss of my old property in the divorce settlement) and was granted half a £190k mortgage. I have a very good income, its very good but we needed a joint account for me and my girlfriend. We wanted a local account and went to Lloyds TSB and was only offered a basic account.
I was worse of than a student!! They get better facilities then me, and until 12th Aug I only had £17k of debt (3 outstanding Defaults though!) with a huge income, my partners income is close to 6 figures and the bank would not give us a normal account!

I hope this helps someone, but WoolWich are very good.

T

Haynonnie

Hi Oakey,
I have a friend in a similar situation to you who was given a Lloyds TSB basic account a few years ago but they closed his account with no notice after O2 messed up his online mobile phone account and tried to take 70 odd quid out of his account by direct debit making him overdrawn DESPITE my friend having it in writing from O2 that they had cocked up and would NOT try to take the incorrect amount. Lloyds TSB closed the account overnight leaving him with no bank account and direct debits due to be paid out any minute. Even a faxed apology from O2 sent directly to the bank would not change their minds. It seems that the banks can choose to have zero tolerance policies towards those they perceive to be naughty people (whether it's their fault or not) if they only have these basic accounts.

Luckily Nationwide gave him a basic FlexAccount immediately - no questions asked. He can use it for direct debits etc but does not have a debit card or cheque book, only a cashcard which he can use to withdraw from ATMs, providing he has some money in his account! He can manage his account online and now has access to e-savings to maximise interest on any surplus.

I too have a FlexAccount with Nationwide as a second current account and I really like the e-savings feature.

Nationwide were also very helpful when my friend was dispensed a counterfeit £20 note from one of its ATMs!

I would say, as with anything, that you should check the small print to determine the bank's policy if you default.

Fedz

To be honest - if it was me I would have either credited the account to cover the direct debit to be collected on the notified date OR cancelled the direct debit and paid this bill online and re-setup the direct debit.

In fact (my contract) with o2 you have to give direct debit details to gain the contract. I did so but then cancelled the direct debit. I pay via the online control panel at Myo2.

I think Nationwide would have asked some questions it against the law not too but I understand what you mean

It's a shame Nationwide don't give a debit card with the account - as far as I understand only 2 banks give debit cards with basic bank accounts:
Co-operative Bank - VISA Electron and Natwest - Solo

Kind regards