Basic Bank Accounts

GUIDE TO BASIC BANK ACCOUNTS

All the major banks have an obligation to offer a Basic Bank Account (BBA) specifically designed for customers with little or no credit history, a poor credit rating or who have experienced bankruptcy or are in serious financial difficulties.

The features of a basic account are very similar across the banks:

Limitations

no arranged overdraft
no cheque book
some banks do not permit direct debit or standing order arrangements – but some do!
4 of the 11 major banks will not allow direct application for a basic account and oblige applicants to first apply for (and to be refused) a standard account

Benefits

no monthly fee
contactless debit card
access to mobile, online and telephone banking
most banks will accept alternative forms of ID by arrangement
many banks dispense with credit checks and carry out a ‘soft search’
some banks allow card use overseas or transactions online in foreign currencies with no fee
some banks allow use online of payments platforms such asGoogle Pay and Apple Pay
generally no charges made for a refused payment or going overdrawn in error
some banks offer joint account
many banks offer free text alerts when funds are low or a text confirmation of every transaction

Money and Pensions Service

Basic Bank Accounts – Key Points

Bank	Account Name	Age	Checks required	ID proof required	How to open	Other features
Bank of Scotland	Basic	18+	No credit check – ID and fraud checks only	Photo ID plus proof of address	Cannot apply directly – need to apply for standard account first
Barclays	Basic Current	18+	No credit check – soft search	Photo ID plus proof of address. May accept benefit entitlement letter or specific immigration documents	App, online or at branch	Asylum seekers or those with no fixed address can apply
Co-operative Bank	Cashminder	16+	No credit check – credit reference check used (no impact on credit rating)	Photo ID plus proof of address. Addresses in and out of UK for past 3 years	Online or by phone	Allows online payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay etc.
Halifax	Basic	18+	Will try for credit check – otherwise soft search for BBA (no impact on credit rating)	Photo ID and 2 proofs of address. Otherwise combination of other documents e.g. birth certificate, medical card	Cannot apply directly – have to apply for standard account first Not on the list of current accounts Online, at branch or via app	Non-UK passport can be used for ID in the app
HSBC	Basic	18+	If apply via HSBC app then soft search; if apply for standard account then offered Basic account will need hard credit check	Photo ID and proof of address – can be done online via selfie-ID check	App, phone, online or at branch	Can access via HSBC’s No Fixed Address programme if homeless or in housing difficulties and supported by a registered charity
Lloyds	Basic	18+	No credit check – soft search	Photo ID plus proof of address. May accept HMRC tax notifications, benefits entitlement letters,	Online or telephone Cannot open directly – have to apply for standard account first. Not on the list of current accounts	Will accept foreign passport with UK visa for indefinite leave to remain (with at least 6 months left on it) Can use debit card worldwide
Metro Bank	Cash Account	11+	No credit check – soft search	Photo ID and proof of address. Will accept alternative forms of ID from asylum seekers, refugees, people in care homes/sheltered accommodation, child care leavers, hostel residents (letter from manager) and members of UK armed forces	Have to apply in-store	Technically a Junior Account Cannot set up Direct Debits Cannot use Post Offices for basic banking services
Nationwide	FlexBasic	18+	No credit check – soft search	Photo ID and proof of address address history for past 3 years required. Will accept Biometric Residence Permit, EU/EEA ID card or specified letters from UK government agencies. May accept letter from a ‘responsible person’.	Check made if eligible for other current account when apply for basic account. Online or at branch (if ID cannot be verified online)
Royal Bank of Scotland Nat West	Foundation	18+	Credit check required	Photo ID plus proof of address.Uses Mitek digital ID verification system. May need to visit branch if cannot verify ID online. May accept alternative forms of ID under RBS ‘Banking Facilities for All’ scheme	Cannot apply directly – have to apply for a standard account first Online or at branch	Ukrainian refugees can apply for Foundation account directly – has dedicated account opening page online for Ukrainians
Santander	Basic	16+	May require credit check but will often use soft search	Photo ID and proof of address, May accept alternative forms of ID such as entitlement letter to state benefits	Online or at branch	Unable to make online payments via Google Pay, Apple Pay etc.
TSB	Cash Account	18+	No credit check – use soft search	Photo ID and proof of address.Need originals but may accept print-outs in certain circumstances. Only accept passport and driving licence online. If visit branch will accept state benefits notification letter, HMRC tax notification and blue disabled driver’s pass	Online or at branch	Non-UK citizens require passport and proof of UK immigration status. Under 18 years old will require UK birth certificate or adoption certificate and UK medical card
Virgin Money (including Yorkshire & Clydesdale) Merges with Nationwide on 2^nd April 2026 – may affect account T&Cs	M Account	16+	Credit check required but used for verification not credit score – credit check not used to refuse access to basic account	Photo ID and proof of address for online applications via Mitek secure digital service which includes submitting a live selfie, Non-standard ID often accepted	Phone or at branch	No fees when use card abroad or shop online in other currencies No charge for declined payment Can make online payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay etc. Has a ‘financial wellbeing hub’

CAB Basic Bank Accounts Download