Easiest to get current account?

wywywywy

Hi all,

Basically my friend is fresh graduate and didn't have a student account, so hasn't got any credit history at all.

I recommended First Direct to him because I like their customer service, but he got refused promptly. I don't want to make too many applications in case that further reduces his credit worthiness. So I am just thinking of getting him the easiest to get current account while he builds his credit history.

So, any suggestions?

Thanks.

wywywywy

Anyone please?

He's got a cash account at the moment but is very inconvenient as there are many online places that he cannot purchase things from, having only an Electron card.

Thanks.

coljacks

Try Yorkshire Bank, they offer a Maestro card with there Basic account- so no credit searches.

wywywywy

Is Maestro the equivalent of Switch or Solo? If it is the same as a Switch, why is there no credit search?
Thanks.

And oh he got rejected by A&L last month too...

coljacks

Maestro is the new name for Switch. The reason for no credit search is you get no credit facilities on the account. However, it would give your friend a 'proper' debit card to use in the meantime whilst shopping around for a full current account.

jonesMUFCforever

If he's been rejected by two different banks then there is something the OP isn't telling us.
People have basic accounts for a reason.

wywywywy

Okay more details.

- He was rejected by A&L because he chose the Premium Plus... of course he is rejected >_<
- He is from Turkey and is not a British Citizen, but has 5 years worth of proof of being a UK resident
- He has not got a full time job yet (fresh grad)

storminbalder

Jones.

Full current accounts are becoming increasingly difficult for many to open. You cannot assume that the OP's friend is covering something up. It is often the case that no credit history is nearly as restrictive as a poor credit history.

Coljacks advice is helpful though. I can heartily recommend the Readycash account. Worth noting also that Yorkshire Bank do report to the credit reference agencies with positive feedback (assuming you run the account in an acceptable way of course) each month as a current account - ie no mention of it being a basic account.

In other words, with Yorkshire, your rating will only improve for the future.

storminbalder

Worth noting that First Direct is not the easiest bank to open an account with either. They have a tendency to "cherry pick" their customers (by all accounts). So perhaps not too surprising your friend was rejected by this bank.

skyrider007

How about applying for a graduate account from the bank which he current holds an account with?