£175 when you switch to a NatWest Select account . T&Cs apply, limited availability offer
Why we like it
An everyday current account. To apply you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. No monthly fee. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay and Google Pay TM and contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply.
Access to Digital Regular Saver - Earn 5.50% AER / 5.37% Gross p.a. (variable) on 1st £5k, 1.06% AER / 1.05% Gross p.a. (variable) above £5k. Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.49% APR variable. To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. For £175, use the Current Account Switch Service to switch your account held elsewhere to NatWest. Pay in £1,250 & log into the app within 60 days. If you've received a switching incentive from NatWest Group before, you aren't eligible. Limited availability offer. T&Cs, restrictions, account eligibility criteria & conditions apply.
£175 when you switch to a Royal Bank of Scotland Select account . T&Cs apply, limited availability offer
Why we like it
An everyday current account. To apply you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. No monthly fee. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay and Google Pay TM and contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply. Access to Digital Regular Saver - Earn 5.50% AER / 5.37% Gross p.a. (variable) on 1st £5k, 1.06% AER / 1.05% Gross p.a. (variable) above £5k. Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.49% APR variable. To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident.
For £175, use the Current Account Switch Service to switch your account held elsewhere to Royal Bank of Scotland. Pay in £1,250 & log into the app within 60 days. If you've received a switching incentive from NatWest Group before, you aren't eligible. Limited availability offer. T&Cs, restrictions, account eligibility criteria & conditions apply.
SPECIAL OFFER - Switch to a 1st Account and get £175*. Requires credit check. New customers only and T&Cs apply.
Why we like it
Get access to a Regular Saver Account - Put away between £25 and £300 for a fixed 12 month term. If you save £300 every month for 12 months and qualify for the 7.00% AER/gross p.a. interest rate, you'll earn approximately £136.50 interest (gross). Interest is calculated daily and paid 12 months after you opened the account. AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. This shows you what the rate would be if interest were paid and compounded each year. Gross is the rate of interest if interest were paid and not compounded each year. No partial withdrawals allowed. Early closure will result in interest being paid at the standard account variable rate. £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status). No minimum monthly funding and no monthly account fee. No first direct fees for when spending abroad, withdrawing cash from the UK or when making a debit card payment in a foreign currency in the UK. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. Representative Example: How does our overdraft compare? The representative APR shows the cost of borrowing over a year, so you can use it to compare the cost of our overdraft against other overdrafts and ways of borrowing. 0% EAR variable on the first £250, 39.9% EAR variable thereafter, giving a representative rate of 30.5% APR variable (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200). For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply. *Within 45 days of your account opening you need to: switch to first direct using the Current Account Switch Service (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product. first direct also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Subject to status. UK residents only
£175 when you switch to a NatWest Reward account . T&Cs apply, limited availability offer
Why we like it
Must be 18 or older and a UK resident. £2 monthly fee applies. Customers need to pay at least £1250 into any eligible personal current account every month (excludes transfers between your own accounts.) Earn up to £5 per month back: £4 in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (2 of the Direct Debits need to be £2+ each) and £1 with 1 mobile app log in. Earn Rewards that you can redeem as cash back, gift cards or e-codes with our retail partners or gift to selected charities. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay and Google Pay TM and contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply. Access to Digital Regular Saver - Earn 5.50% AER / 5.37% Gross p.a. (variable) on 1st £5k, 1.06% AER / 1.05% Gross p.a. (variable) above £5k. Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.49% APR variable. To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. For £175, use the Current Account Switch Service to switch your account held elsewhere to NatWest. Pay in £1,250 & log into the app within 60 days. If you've received a switching incentive from NatWest Group before, you aren't eligible. Limited availability offer. T&Cs, restrictions, account eligibility criteria & conditions apply.
£175 when you switch to a Royal Bank of Scotland Reward account . T&Cs apply, limited availability offer
Why we like it
Must be 18 or older and a UK resident. £2 monthly fee applies. Customers need to pay at least £1250 into any eligible personal current account every month (excludes transfers between your own accounts.) Earn up to £5 per month back: £4 in Rewards for 2 or more Direct Debits (2 of the Direct Debits need to be £2+ each) and £1 with 1 mobile app log in. Earn Rewards that you can redeem as cash back, gift cards or e-codes with our retail partners or gift to selected charities. Great money management tools with our mobile banking app. Multiple ways to pay: Apple Pay and Google Pay TM and contactless Visa Debit Card. Limits apply. Access to Digital Regular Saver - Earn 5.50% AER / 5.37% Gross p.a. (variable) on 1st £5k, 1.06% AER / 1.05% Gross p.a. (variable) above £5k.
Assumed arranged overdraft of £1,200, 39.49% variable p.a. representative 39.49% APR variable. To apply, you need to be 18+ and a UK resident. For £175, use the Current Account Switch Service to switch your account held elsewhere to Royal Bank of Scotland. Pay in £1,250 & log into the app within 60 days. If you've received a switching incentive from NatWest Group before, you aren't eligible. Limited availability offer. T&Cs, restrictions, account eligibility criteria & conditions apply.
Details
Type of Account
Reward
Minimum Age
18
UK Resident
Yes
Everyday Current Account
FeaturesFee FREE Everyday Accountwith access to 5.00% AER Regular Saver Account for 12 months
Open With £1
Account TypeCurrent Account
Everyday Current AccountSantander
Open With £1
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesFee FREE Everyday Accountwith access to 5.00% AER Regular Saver Account for 12 months
No minimum monthly funding or monthly fee to maintain the account. Access to Santander Regular Saver with 5.00% AER/Gross (fixed) for 12 months. Save up to £200 per month. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you when you use Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). Stress-free account switching in 7 days with the Current Account Switch Service. £300 ATM withdrawal per day, Arranged Overdraft facility (subject to status). Online and Mobile Banking with text and email alerts. 39.94% EAR overdraft charge.
Details
Type of Account
Everyday
Minimum Age
18
UK Resident
Yes
Edge Current Account
FeaturesGet 1% Cashback on selected houshold billsand access to a 6.00% AER saver account
Open With £500
Account TypeCurrent Account
Edge Current AccountSantander
Open With £500
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesGet 1% Cashback on selected houshold billsand access to a 6.00% AER saver account
Earn 1% cashback every month on selected household bills paid by Direct Debit, capped at up to £10 each month. Access to Santander Edge saver with 6.00% AER/ 5.84% Gross (variable) interests on balances up to £4000 (includes 2.00% AER/ 1.98% Gross (variable) bonus rates for the first 12 months from opening). Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other personalised offers when you use Santander Boosts (must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). No fees or charges for international payments or CHAPS payments. Arranged overdraft interest rate of 39.94% APR/EAR (variable). For cashback offer you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month, have 2 active Direct Debits, be over 18 and live in the UK permanently. Paper-free account. £3 monthly fee.
Details
Type of Account
Interest Paying
Minimum Age
18
UK Resident
Yes
Edge Up Current Account
Features2.50% AER Interest on balances up to £25,000 and get 1% Cashback on selected houshold bills
Open With £1500
Account TypeCurrent Account
Edge Up Current AccountSantander
Open With £1500
Account TypeCurrent Account
Features2.50% AER Interest on balances up to £25,000 and get 1% Cashback on selected houshold bills
2.50% AER/2.47% gross (variable) on balances up to £25,000. 1% cashback (up to £15 a month) on selected household bills when you pay by Direct Debit. Access to Santander Regular Saver with 5.00% AER/Gross (fixed) for 12 months. Save up to £200 per month. Make international payments with no extra fees (the bank receiving the payment may still apply charges). There's also no charge for making CHAPS payments from this account. No fees for using Santander Edge Up debit card to withdraw cash and make payments outside the UK in the local currency. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and personalised offers with Santander Boosts , free rewards service. Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts. £5 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from the account each month. Must pay a minimum of £1,500 into the account each month. Must have 2 active Direct Debits. Arranged overdraft facility (subject to status). If you use an arranged overdraft you’ll be charged an interest rate of 39.94% APR / EAR (variable). Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts.
Details
Type of Account
Interest Paying
Minimum Age
18
UK Resident
Yes
Personal Account
FeaturesApply without a credit check or proof of address
Open With £0
Account TypeCurrent Account
Personal AccountSuits Me
Open With £0
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesApply without a credit check or proof of address
An alternative banking solution, offering banking services to people who find it hard to open a regular bank account because of their low credit score. Open an account in 10 minutes without a credit check or proof of address. Get your contactless Mastercard® debit card in 3-5 working days. Choose from three account options: ‘Essential’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Premium Plus'. You can manage your account on the go using the online banking app. Make transfer payments from your e-money account whenever, wherever. You can also set up and manage your Direct Debits and Standing Orders. Get access to exclusive partner deals. Shop and earn with your Suits Me card in-store, online or over the phone you can earn cashback rewards, with no limit. Access to a dedicated Customer Account Manager so you have someone who understands your account and your needs. Your money is protected up to £85,000 by the FSCS. Monthly account fee ranges from free to £9.97 depending on account chosen. Refer your friends to apply and use their Suits Me card, and earn £50 per friend. No limit on the number of friends you refer
Details
Type of Account
Adverse Credit
Minimum Age
18
UK Resident
Yes
123 Mini Current Account
FeaturesChildren 17 or under3% AER Interest (T&Cs)
Open With £0
Account TypeChildrens Current Account
123 Mini Current AccountSantander
Open With £0
Account TypeChildrens Current Account
FeaturesChildren 17 or under3% AER Interest (T&Cs)
Children's current account. Can be opened by or on behalf of any child up to the age of 17. 1% interest on the entire balance once the balance up to £999.99. 2.00% AER/1.98% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,000 to £1,499.99. 3.00% AER/2.96% gross (variable) on the entire balance once the balance is £1,500 to £2,000. Debit or cash card available for those aged between 13 and 17. Monthly interest. No monthly fee. For children under age 13, the account must be opened in trust and managed by an adult (trustee) T&C's apply. If you’re aged between 13 and 17 years old and live permanently in the UK you can apply online by telephone or in branch. No overdraft facility
Details
Type of Account
Child Bank AccountAccount
Minimum Age
17
UK Resident
Yes
Student Bank Account
FeaturesReceive £85 cash + a 4-year tastecard worth £79.99 when you open a NatWest Student account. Eligibility & T&Cs apply*Interest-Free Overdraft Available Up To £2k (£500 in 1st Term). Overdraft Subject To Approval, 18+**
Funding required (each academic term)£0
Account TypeStudent Bank Account
Student Bank AccountNatWest
Funding required (each academic term)£0
Account TypeStudent Bank Account
FeaturesReceive £85 cash + a 4-year tastecard worth £79.99 when you open a NatWest Student account. Eligibility & T&Cs apply*Interest-Free Overdraft Available Up To £2k (£500 in 1st Term). Overdraft Subject To Approval, 18+**
*Student account eligibility criteria and offer T&Cs apply. Apply online only from 1st July to get NatWest’s £85 offer. Offer has limited availability. You must not have received a Student account incentive from NatWest since the 1st July 2021. **Interest-free overdraft - get an overdraft of up to £2,000 from year one (Limited to £500 in term one, year one) with an instant online decision. Students can apply for up to £3,250 interest-free from year three onwards. 18+, subject to approval
Why we like it
No monthly account fee. New and existing National Westminster Bank Plc (‘NatWest’) customers who are eligible to open a Student account. This means you need to have spent more than three years in the UK and be at a UK university/college: Studying a full-time UCAS undergraduate course of at least 2 years or a nursing course lasting a year of more and provide your unique 16-digit UCAS code during the online application
Details
Type of Account
Student
Minimum Age
17
UK Resident
Yes
Student Bank Account
FeaturesReceive £85 cash + a 4-year tastecard worth £79.99 when you open a Royal Bank of Scotland Student account. Eligibility & T&Cs apply*Interest-Free Overdraft Available Up To £2k (£500 in 1st Term). Overdraft Subject To Approval, 18+**
Funding required (each academic term)£0
Account TypeStudent Bank Account
Student Bank AccountRoyal Bank of Scotland
Funding required (each academic term)£0
Account TypeStudent Bank Account
FeaturesReceive £85 cash + a 4-year tastecard worth £79.99 when you open a Royal Bank of Scotland Student account. Eligibility & T&Cs apply*Interest-Free Overdraft Available Up To £2k (£500 in 1st Term). Overdraft Subject To Approval, 18+**
*Student account eligibility criteria and offer T&Cs apply. Apply online only from 1st July to get Royal Bank of Scotland's £85 offer. Offer has limited availability. You must not have received a Student account incentive from Royal Bank of Scotland since the 1st July 2021. **Interest-free overdraft - get an overdraft of up to £2,000 from year one (Limited to £500 in term one, year one) with an instant online decision. Students can apply for up to £3,250 interest-free from year three onwards. 18+, subject to approval
Why we like it
No monthly account fee. New and existing Royal Bank of Scotland customers who are eligible to open a Student account. This means you need to have spent more than three years in the UK and be at a UK university/college: Studying a full-time UCAS undergraduate course of at least 2 years or a nursing course lasting a year of more and provide your unique 16-digit UCAS code during the online application
Every major bank will offer some form of basic account but often don't advertise them.
They’re a great option if you need a standard account that does everything you would expect.
The Advantages of Basic Current Accounts
Basic bank accounts are open to almost everyone and therefore, are a great option for anyone who has had credit problems in the past or people who have been turned down for a standard bank account. They are also very useful for people who just want a standard bank account which does the bare minimum. They are a convenient way to manage your money as you can pay Direct Debits; cash and cheques in to your account and receive any kind of payment, such as your salary or benefits.
You have a complete control over your account as you can only withdraw or spend what you actually have. This is great for people on a strict budget or who have been bitten by charges in the past. As basic bank accounts do not normally charge fees, they are a perfect way to avoid this.
What are the Disadvantages?
The main disadvantage of these types of accounts are the lack of options. It really is just a standard account, so if you’re looking for overdraft facilities, high interest or even a cheque book, you won’t find them here. Some basic accounts also don’t let you set up standing orders.
Some of the best basic accounts currently on offer include:
Barclays Basic Current Account
A basic account that offers free, no-frills banking for customers who may not be able to open a regular current account. You can qualify for this account if you don't qualify for one of their other accounts and/or you have no existing bank current account in the UK.
With this account you can:
Choose between a Barclays Visa debit card or a cash card for ATM withdrawals only
Make payments from your Barclays Basic Current Account by Direct Debit or standing order
Withdraw up to £300 a day
Manage your account online, by phone or in branch
Manage your account online by registering for Barclays Online Banking
Co-operative Cashminder Account
A Cashminder is a basic account for people who may not qualify for other kinds of current account. You cannot open a Cashminder if you already hold a Co-operative Bank or Smile current account, unless you are in financial difficulty.
No overdraft facility, cheque book or monthly charge
Available as a joint account.
Visa Debit Card provided
Full internet and mobile banking facilities
Virgin Money Essential Current Account
A basic account designed to be managed through Virgin Money Stores and at any Post Office. They offer:
No overdraft facility (helping you to avoid overspending)
Free withdrawals at almost all UK high street cash machines
An opportunity to earn interest on your account (a rare thing for basic accounts)
Online Banking
All the perks of being a Virgin Money customer.
Seven other banks currently offer these types of account, but the above three are known for proactively helping customers to get some form of account with them and will not reject you from these accounts provided you meet their criteria and can provide ID.
As it is not financially viable for banks to provide these basic accounts to customers, many institutions will not automatically offer them to applicant who are rejected for a Current Account. Always make sure you ask or browse a bank's website for other options if you are rejected for your preferred option.
Are there any alternatives to a basic bank account?
If you’ve been turned down for a basic bank account because of bad credit, or if you just want an account with more facilities and services, you could try a bad credit account. These accounts are specifically designed for people who are looking to rebuild their credit.
