I looked at this but with limited income £12 per month and £25 set up fee is quite alot! Is there any reason none of the basic bank accounts can be opened online? Also which basic bank account would anyone recommend (not Natwest)

Thanks

Margaret-Rose:As a brief outline of my daughter's experience with Think banking, they set aside enough to pay for your monthly outgoings, then you are only allowed to draw on the surplus. I am unsure if this is the same if you are not with their debt management programme. However, I think that the monthly fee, particularly for anyone who is already in financial straits, is a little excessive. I really don't think you are going to find anyone to give you a joint account without associating you on your credit file, and vice versa, with the joint account holder. That is the way it works.

I have spoke with "Think banking" there is no information on my credit file about the account, nor is there any information about any joint account holder, no credit searches are made there is no association made.

The monthly fee is less than paying for od fees returned dd fees etc

As a brief outline of my daughter's experience with Think banking, they set aside enough to pay for your monthly outgoings, then you are only allowed to draw on the surplus. I am unsure if this is the same if you are not with their debt management programme. However, I think that the monthly fee, particularly for anyone who is already in financial straits, is a little excessive. I really don't think you are going to find anyone to give you a joint account without associating you on your credit file, and vice versa, with the joint account holder. That is the way it works.

I've banked with the Co-op for over 8 years and they've always been great. Unfortunately, a lot of my debt is on my Co-op Credit card, so I need to look elsewhere!

Does anyone know anything about ICICI Bank? I know of them from India and just saw they seem to offer an account but no idea how they credit check...?

There's also Think Banking - there's lots of posts on the forum with various views, I don't have any experience myself... but they only offer a MAestro card

As with the above. I suspect there are not any products out there that wont connect you financially on your credit reports. In terms of obtaining a debit card and use of direct debits with a bad debt history, I know a close friend of mine who filed bankrupt was still able to get an Electron card and use of direct debits with the Co-op, also just of internet banking. Couldnt tell you about their call centres though.

I should have mentioned not A&L, I already have an account/arrears with them.

Thank you for your reply though.

You should try Alliance & leicester. They do a basic account, which you will have to phone for, but then you have internet banking and sometimes a debit card, depending on your circumstances. However, if you have a joint account, your credit file will show your partner as a financial associate no matter who you go with. I do not think there is any way around this. Any financials that are jointly held will show up on your partner's credit file, when potential creditors will then look into yours. Think banking do charge, and my daughter did have trouble with them. I see no reason to pay for a service, when you are still going to have the joint thing.

I am looking to open a joint Basic bank account with the following

1. Electron/Solo Debit card

2. Direct Debits & Standing orders

3. Internet Banking

However, it is to be a joint bank account with my partner, my credit history is bad, her credit history is superb. I therefore do not want to form any sort of financial association between myself and herself. The "think banking" account seems to be an excellent product, however, there is a monthly fee for the product, and it does not offer Internet Banking is there any other product on the market that anyone could suggest?

UK based call centres would be preferable too!