Difficulties opening bank account!

[purple-eth]

I still live at home with my parents, so don't get any of the major utility bills in my name, I don't have a credit card, driving license or passport. I've tried a couple of banks, and have been told that I just don't have the right ID. Is there any way around this stupid problem, or am I destined to have my wages forever paid into my sister's account? I only want a basic account, by the way. I'm not interested in having credit cards, loans etc.

[steve208]

I seem to remember reading a similar post hear or elsewhere, anyway this can be a common problem and i like you am annoyed that banks do not address this issue more proactivley. The reason being that they must be more careful of late about the potential for money laundering...new legislation post 9/11 forced them to be more strict in the types of id they accept.

Anyway i am getting sidetracked....I suggest you try Natwest and their Step account ...seems to be a basic account and i find natwest are good at being a local bank etc.

You can try calling them on 0800 200 400 lines open 8-8 monday to friday and 9-6 satarday. otherwise pop into you nearest branch.

If no luck with them they maybe able to direct you some where that can help.

Erm or im not sure what you would think about this...are you wanting to learn to drive at some point? why not get your provisional license? it serves well as id and is valid for 10 years.

[steve208]

right ok ive been doing a lot of surfing!!

and it would seem that most of the banks and building societies seem to have the same list of acceptable id.

Anyway Natwest dont have the list on the website so maybe maybe if you go to the nearest branch hope they will help.

ok also occured to me that you can open some accounts by post so i would be inclined to go and talk to Halifax about their Easycash basic account.

Can i also advise that should you be able to find a nice bank that will give you an account that you open an ING savings account on the internet. It gives you a very good interest rate and you can easily transfer your money in and out.

[CheekyChops]

Just a minor point - when I worked for NatWest, provisional driving licences were not accepted as ID.

[steve208]

hum ok thanks cheekey...thats not good. hum would seem my efforts at searching are to no avail.

[Ethel]

Try a local lloyds tsb. Take your birth certificate and a parent with a utility bill.

I know it's daft when you are a working adult, but needs must and once you have a bank account it will be easier in future to change to a bank of your choice.

Or try the bank where your mum or dad banks.

Are you on the voters' register? That will also help.

Good luck.

[Ethel]

Ha! I have just discovered that a birth certificate is acceptable proof of who you are. That bit is easy.

The address also needs to be confirmed - and cannot be the birth certificate.

BUT a letter addressed to you at your current address from the Inland Revenue IS acceptable proof. You should have some documentation from them as you are working.

If you have lost it, phone them up and ask them to send you a copy of your tax code.

Here is the link:

http://www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=261&a=349

Print it off and take it with you when you go to open the account. Be prepared for the bank to send you documentation for you to sign and return before they will open the account - this is further proof that you live at the address.

Take wage slips as well.

[Gevs1966]

Why don't you just get a passport??? Or is that too simple???

[Ethel]

I don't see why a British citizen should have to buy a passport just to open a current account.

[purple-eth]

Exactly! I've no intention of going abroad, so why should I be forced to get a passport I'm not going to use! Anyway, thanks for your help everyone. I tried opening a Step account at Natwest a few months ago, and even though it is just a basic account, they wouldn't allow me to open it without the 'right documentation'! Also, a provisional driving license wouldn't have been allowed because I'm over 21. My mum banks at HSBC, so maybe I'll try dragging her there armed with her gas bill and my birth certificate! Although Natwest told me they didn't accept a birth certificate as a form of ID! I guess I could try with their council tax bill instead.

[spudqueen]

Sorry, but a birth certificate is no proof that you are the person on the certificate, all it prooves is that someone of that name was born. I would suggest that you approach the bank where your parents bank, it worked for me when my son opened an account.

[dancecaller]

This is really annoying (though I can see reasons for it).

It can work against a wife whose husband works and pay utility bills too (yes I was old fashioned, not any more). And if you want to move savings about they all seem to have different rules.

The idea of a postal account may not help. Some banks need more documents if you don't go in in person. Though some will accept a cheque to open the account from another bank account as sufficient - no use in this case, and they may have changed it.

[Gevs1966]

You won't be buying a passport just to get an account, they are the most accepted form of identification around, are useful for many varying types of applications, a lot of job applications now require passport ID for security checking purposes etc, they are not expensive and if you do have one you always have the option of going abroad if you wanted to.

[WendyS]

I agree that these Anti Laundering regulations have gone a little too far and are making it impossible for ordinary innocent individuals to open a bank account. However, as your mother banks at HSBC, could you get her to turn her account temporarily into a joint account with you? Then as soon as the next monthly bank statement comes through showing your name on it, use that as proof of address/identity, and your mother can then remove your name from her account.

[Hans_Olo]

You could use your medical card as proof of where you live and who you are - if you don't have one - you should have been given one when you were born, then ask your PCT for one - if you don't know which one then ask either ask your GP or nhs website to find your PCT. You have your payslips and you also have your national insurance card. These should all gie you ID.

I do think though that financial institutions have all taken it too far when tackling the regulations on major crime

[simsfreq]

National Insurance card has "THIS IS NOT ID" printed on it, doubt that would help...!

If you're under 18, there should be somewhere you can open a bank account with less ID if you take a parent with you. I've had a bank account with Natwest since I was 15 and don't remember there being any problems when I opened that.

If you're over 18, I'm not sure. But try taking the point to all of the major banks themselves and ask them if they're prepared to lose your lifelong custom for it.