Bank Account

[TonyV]

How would someone with bad credit history open a bank account?

[BagPussAA]

You can open a Cashminder Account with the Cooperative bank. You do it over the phone, you do not have to have id and they are happy to accept you if you have a bad credit history. Another one is Card One Banking which is an internet account only run by NatWest. Anyone can have one of their accounts and you get a prepay Mastercard with it which is very useful.

[Buenchico]

All of the High Street banks offer 'basic' bank accounts, which can be used to receive payments from employers, etc. They also allow outgoing payments by direct debit and (in most cases) by standing order. You don't get a cheque book but you do get a cash card (for withdrawing money at ATMs or at any Post Office). With many (but not all) such accounts, the cash card is also a debit card (so that you can make purchases in stores, by phone or online).

See the table across pages 6 & 7 of this document for full details of what each bank offers:
http://www.moneymadec...dfs/bank_accounts.pdf

Chris