Very basic bank account help!

JoeHel

My step-son-to-be is trying to open a new bank account for his wages to go into. He had an account but has been in prison and the account is no longer valid. They won't re-open it.

He has hardly any ID. He has a provisional driving licence and letters from the Tax Office. No passport or anything else.

All he wants is an account which can accept money and he can have a cashcard to withdraw his wages. He doesn't want an overdraft or a debit card or anything.

Can anyone suggest somewhere he can try?! Thanks.

fermi

He can apply for any of the basic accounts listed here:

http://www.payplan.com/pdf/bank_acc.pdf

But even with a basic account, they still need to do ID and fraud checks.

Has he put himself on the electoral register? That is usually one of the big stumbling blocks.

If he is really desperate he could get one of the pre-paid credit/debit cards, as some allow wages to be paid on to them. Not ideal, but when needs must. Especially if it is a temporary measure.

lostalot

Not sure how things would go about the ID but i found the CO OP easy to open. I popped into the branch and within a week the account was opened and i had the basic visa electron card. I applied to the Natwest and sent paperwork back but heard nothing since and its been nearly 3 weeks since i applied.Maybe he could pop into the CO OP and ask ,worst they could say is no so its worth a try

JoeHel

Thanks. No, he's not on the electoral register. I am, and everything in this (rented) flat is in my name. I'm the one with the credit cards and loans. Neither my OH or his son want to be on the electoral register.

newmum1

Have u tried halifax i opened mine online and it was very easy.

fermi

JoeHel wrote: »

Neither my OH or his son want to be on the electoral register.

He could well struggle to get even a basic account then.

JoeHel

fermi wrote: »

He could well struggle to get even a basic account then.

Yeah, I know. I've tried telling them that but they are adamant. A paranoia of being tracked down I think ... don't know why but that's how it is. A different world to that I'm used to!! Luckily OH has an account. His son has been having his wages paid into dad's account and then he withdraws the cash for him. Not ideal though - especially as he wants to move out sometime soon and get a place of his own.

fermi

He can still try the basic accounts that are listed in my previous link, but he [STRIKE]might[/STRIKE] will probably be knocked back with most (if not all) of them.

And as I said there is the pre-paid card option if he is truly desperate. No ID or electoral register check for those.

There are also a few "managed" accounts that are allegedly designed for those who can't get anything else, but I always shy away from suggesting those as they charge rip-off monthly fee's and I'm not even sure that they won't do an electoral register check on that.

When you are providing any type of current account (even a basic one) there are certain ID and electoral register checks that must be done to comply with anti money laundering laws.

JoeHel

I tried explaining that to him tonight. I work for a solicitor's firm and the new anti money laundering regulations make opening a file for a new client about 2 days' work!! I told him how much ID documentation I need to get together for that and I was sure banks would be the same. I think he'll have to give in and go on the register!

zx2011

How about a savings account at Yorkshire Building Society.

It's called Cash Transactor.

You can pay wages in and do direct debits and standing orders. You get a cash card too.

http://www.ybs.co.uk/savings/easy_access/transactor/index.jsp

fermi

Hmm......

http://www.ybs.co.uk/savings/verify_identity.jsp

Verifying your identity

Our responsibility to you

Under regulations for prevention of financial crime and money laundering, we have a responsibility to verify the identity of each applicant before opening a new account, even existing customers.
To do this, we use an electronic verification system.

Additional proof of identity

In certain cases (for example if you are not listed on the electoral roll or you have recently moved house) we may need further proof of your identity.

For online and postal applications:

This will mean returning your application and funds to you so that you can provide the further proof we need.

For applications in person at a branch:

This will mean that we are unable to open your account immediately unless you have proof of your identity with you.

Therefore, you may wish to provide additional proof of your identity with your application.

Examples of additional forms of identification

Examples of additional forms of identification that we can accept are:

Proof of name:

• Current signed Passport
• Full UK or EU photocard driving licence or full UK driving licence (old style)
• Original and current notice of tax coding from HM Revenue & Customs

Proof of address:

• An original utility bill, e.g. gas, electricity, telephone (not mobile phone) less than 3 months old
• An original and current council tax bill
• An original bank or building society statement less than 3 months old