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Open a basic bank account
Banks are private, but basic bank accounts are designed for people who cannot get a standard account, including new arrivals. MoneyHelper is the free government-backed guide.
Official links
| Official source | Applies to |
|---|---|
| MoneyHelper: basic bank accounts www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/banking/basic-bank-accounts | Whole UK |
| GOV.UK: banks that must offer basic accounts www.gov.uk/government/collections/basic-bank-accounts | Whole UK |
Step by step
- Read the MoneyHelper guide to basic bank accounts.
- Contact one of the large banks that must offer them (Barclays, Co-operative Bank, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Santander, TSB or Virgin Money).
- Ask specifically for a basic bank account and which identity and address documents the bank accepts.
- Once it is open, give your account details to your employer for your salary.
What you need
- Proof of identity, such as your passport
- Proof of address, or whatever alternative the bank accepts if you have just arrived
Common mistakes
- Giving up after a standard account is refused. Ask for the basic account: it has no fees for standard use, including a failed payment, so you cannot run up an unplanned overdraft.