Basic Bank Accounts.

[China Doll]

Hello,

In order to manage my money better I've been looking in to basic bank accounts and pre-paid cards as a way of doing this but I'm not very financially clued so I was wondering if anyone could advise me on to the best one?

I need an account in to which I can pay my wages and also set up direct debits for bills. I'd prefer it I could have a cashcard that I can use in most ATM's and I would like to be able to purchase items online. I don't want an overdraft facility. The accounts I've narrowed it down to are as follows;

Provider: NORWICH & PETERBOROUGH BS
Name of Account: Basic Banking Gold Current Account

Provider: NATIONWIDE BS
Name of Account: Cash Card Account

Provider: NATWEST BANK PLC
Name of Account: Step

Tuxedo Pre-Paid Master Card Account

Are there any others I should consider? Do you think these would be the best or have I not understood the details?

Also, I do have a bad credit rating and I'm on a debt management plan currently so I thought applying for a basic account would take this in to consideration or do you think I could still be turned down?

Many thanks for any help.

China

[Kathyan]

We have a step account with Natwest. There is no overdraft and no cheque book. We have Solo cards, which are accepted by most retailers. We did have a Halifax account and at first just had a cash card, but they give Electron cards now on the same account. Hope this helps.

[China Doll]

Thank you.

[raysparx1]

Hi China, One of the accounts we have is with Nationwide,it is the flex account linked with e-saver, you run the account on line, transferring money from the esaver to the flex account, and you write out cheques, use cash machines, direct debits etc as with normal account, but the good thing is any money you have in the e-saver account gets a good rate of interest, well worth looking at,
take a look at the link, good luck, Ray

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/e-savings/ introduction.htm