Hi,

does anyone know the best place to get a basic bank account???- my credit rating isn't very good and I don't have an account at all at the moment because I tried to change banks and get a student account. I was promised a student account account with Lloyds once i had closed my other account. I did so and then they said I had failed the credit check even though they had already told me I had passed it!!!

Hi,

does anyone know the best place to get a basic bank account???- my credit rating isn't very good and I don't have an account at all at the moment because I tried to change banks and get a student account. I was promised a student account account with Lloyds once i had closed my other account. I did so and then they said I had failed the credit check even though they had already told me I had passed it!!!

Try HSBC, I know someone who was made bankrupt years ago and they needed a bank account and HSBC were the only ones that would help them.

All banks are required by the government to offer basic bank accounts to everyone. Most banks do not like doing it but just be insistant that you want a basic bank account and they have to let you.

I have found that the Co Op tends to be more helpfull than some of the other high street banks.

Good luck.

Try HSBC, I know someone who was made bankrupt years ago and they needed a bank account and HSBC were the only ones that would help them.


Cheers,

I had an account with them before though and I didn't like them! My credit rating isn't great but I don't have any debt anymore- not in the same league as bankruptcy!

I had a similar problem - I bank with abbey now, they were very helpful at the time...

Halifax has a basic account that lets you just take money out of atm and pay direct debits...so you cant shop with it (dont think so).

It does a credit search but only to see if you a little dodgy...like fraud.

Not worked for them for a year though so its possible they've changed

royal bank of scotland do a £key£ account.
helped me out of a hole in the early 90's.

Hi,

does anyone know the best place to get a basic bank account???- my credit rating isn't very good and I don't have an account at all at the moment because I tried to change banks and get a student account. I was promised a student account account with Lloyds once i had closed my other account. I did so and then they said I had failed the credit check even though they had already told me I had passed it!!!

For a current account the Bank can pass you.... its when the under writers of the cheque guarantee/switch card get hold of your details and decide you don't score to their satisfaction that the bank refuses your business.

I bank with Yorkshire Bank and I am sure they offer a basic account that allows you to do all the transactions you need to bar write a cheque or have a switch/maestro card..... still, you will get an ATM card.... I think they are a great Bank.

You may want to apply to experian and equifax for a copy of your credit report and check to see if your details are correct and if not get them to rectify any problems. Costs a couple of quid but if you don't then the chances are you will face the same problem wherever you go.

HSBC definately mate - they will do it the day you go in!

They sorted me out when i needed it, then upgraded me to a decent account 6 months later - even though my credit did not improve over that time. :thumbsup:

The Halifax will sort you out Matt. Ask for a Cardcash account. Your credit rating needn't be high, and you can in effect still use it as a current account. I had some tenants from Nigeria last year, and when all other Banks were a little sniffy, Halifax welcomed them with open arms.

Good luck anyway :)

Re: HSBC, you might want to look at the following before making your decision.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=93055

To any HSBC fans, I'm only presenting the evidence, so don't shoot the messenger ok? ;)

Have a look http://www.fsa.gov.uk/consumer/pdfs/bank_account.pdf here for a list of all basic bank accounts, and their features.

Your bad credit rating won't stop you getting a basic account with any major bank.