bank account for people with poor credit?

[philk1]

can anyone suggest a bank which will allow you to open a simple bank account even if you have a poor credit rating?

[Buenchico]

Most of the High Street banks now offer 'basic' bank accounts. The Financial Services Authority publishes a booklet which explains them and tells you which banks offer them. You can download it here:
http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank _accounts.pdf

Even undischarged bankrupts can open a basic bank account with a few of the banks listed, so you shouldn't have much of a problem simply because of a poor credit rating.

I've got a basic account with Barclays. It was a quick, hassle-free process to open it. Check the table, in the FSA booklet, to see if it would be right for you.

Barclays is one of the banks which allows undischarged bankrupts to open an account. The other two are Cooperative and Nationwide. I suggest trying those three banks first because they're the ones which seem least likely to be concerned about your credit rating.

Chris

[caz247]

natwest step account is a basic no frills acc which
can be applied online even for people with bankruptcy

[bensmum]

As caz says Natwest has a basic account which is very easy to open. I opened mine online and didn't have to supply any evidence of identity. Mind you it is very basic - it has direct debit and standing order facilities and a debit card but no overdraft facility or cheque book.
If you look online for basic accounts you will get information as to what banks offer what.