Thanks so much for that link - very useful-I've been struggling with this since April and even some of the debt advice points haven't been able to help me make a clear choice. I may now be able to proceed and finally get things back on track. Thanks again. John

johnbackhouse:

Read and digest the following....

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf

Debts and bad credit history are not grounds for being declined for a basic bank account, only the circumstances in the last column.

Hi John,

How very difficult for you.

Fortunately, there are current accounts for people in your situation, to make sure they can still function financially. These are called basic bank accounts and you can search a specific list of them on our current account comparison tool. Just click on 'basic bank accounts' in the box at the top titled 'Compare over 300 Banking Accounts'.

These are aimed at people with poor credit scores and offer a very simple service - you can pay in and out and use a debit card, but there's no overdraft facility. Watch out as some of these charge a monthly fee, so only pick one of those if you're confident you can meet it.

Good luck,

Felicity

I had a Co-Op Cashminder account but ot overdrawn and they closed the account (I work away and hadn't recieved the letter warning me of their intentions) Since then though i'm in regular fulltime work I have been declined when I've tried to open a new account with Barclays and First Direct.

Do you have any suggestions or advice?

I'm due to have a debt counselling appointment this week with CCCS to try and find a solution to my debt difficulties, but whatever options are open to me I will need an active bank account.

Please help, I am truly stuck

Many thanks John