Have a really bad credit rating, but have just got a relatively well paid job (eventually) - can't get a bank account due to bad rating. What if anything can I do?????

[Jazzicatz]

Title says it all - any ideas?

Thanks

Have you not had a bank account to date?

Only a cash builder one, but need a current account!

Surely you can have a very basic account?

Post office account?

You can get a post office account, they are designed for people who cannot get a normal account, you can have wages etc paid into them but cannot arrange DDs on them and have to use cash rather than a card. Using things like that will help you gradually improve your rating.

why do you need a current account?

The NatWest do a simple Step account.

No credit check should be required and you can upgrade it in years to come when your back on track.

Shit bank but good account, solo card, you can set up direct debits and such and can't go overdrawn (usually)

co-op do a really good bank account whoch anyone can get. You get a debit card with itm it;s only ony one available for people with really bad credit.

Barclays do a cash card account too but they wont let you have a debit card.

Because I need to set up DD and so forth.

I have a Barcleys basic account since going bankrupt. I have a card for withdrawing out of certain machines plus can do direct debits.
Can't go overdrawn/have an overdraft, cheque book or switch type card. But none of those matter to me.

I work for Abbey (don't flame me its by defualt) and we have basic account that you should be able to get (no overdraft) but you do get hol ein wall card and can set up direct debits and standing orders

you should be able to do direct debits out of a basic account - at least DH has a basic account (crap credit rating so all they would give him) and has DD's coming out

I have a cardcash account with the Halifax have standing orders, direct debits and all sorts going out of it.

Hope this helps - it compares the different basic accounts available, telling you which allow you to set up direct debits and so on.

Coop basic accounts you can set up standing orders, DD, use it to pay for shopping in all supermarkets.

Most online stores. Not Tesco.com though, they don't take Visa Electron online

I'm in the same situation and the card is brilliant

think it's called a cashminder account

Thank you you are all so helpful (sorry have PMT and feeling quite weepy )

oh yea Tesco is the only pita - had no problem with Ocado or Asda online though, (or anywhere else for that matter, bought traintickets and all sorts on-line with my Visa Electron - just Tesco doesn't like it)

I use think bank. It is really good, you basically have two bank accounts, one where your wages are paid in and it automatically keeps back what you need for your bills, and then it automatically transfers your "spends" on to an account with a card. You can use the card in shops or cash machines as well as online.

It does cost £12.50 a month, but there are no other charges, and as I was spending about £60 a month on banks charges from forgetting to leave enough in for bills, that is a massive saving for me.

Absolutely no credit checks or anything, but obviously no overdraft either.

every bank ofers a 'basic' bank account. this is something the govt negotiated as benefits get paid into accounts not giro or books.

basic , no overdraft nothing fancy just you put money in - you have a card you can draw it out

Try www.moneysavingexpert.com it's FULL of really good advice - their forums are also really good.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your advice - I now have a bank account

Unfortunately still got PMT!!!!