opening a bank account completely online or by mail?

[KFC]

Is there any bank that I can open an account with completely online or by mail? I'm looking for a regular current account. I don't need or want a cheque book, credit card, overdraft facilities etc - which no doubt won't be available to me anyway as I have no credit history and don't currently even have any UK bank account.

I'm a UK citizen so have drivers license, passport etc. I have a property in UK so have gas bills also. But I'm not physically there so a visit to a bank is impossible at this time.

Someone suggested Smile internet bank but I can't use them as they want details of your current bank account / sort code, which I don't have. I can see a bunch of banks let you apply online or download application forms... but I don't want to waste time filling them all in and posting them off to have them write me at the end saying "come to the branch to pick your card and pin up"

thanks

[KFC]

Unless I"m looking at the wrong thing that seems to be a prepaid credit card?

I need a bank account and debit card, somewhere I can keep money.

[uknick]

I don't know if this will help as it is from 2009.

http://www.connexionfrance.com/uk-bank-accounts-fo...

As you say, the cupboard looks pretty bare for what you want.

[KFC]

Thanks but I don't need to tell them I'm living abroad - I'm a UK citizen and I have an address there so I just plan on telling them I live there full time.

[TVR1]

KFC said:

Unless I"m looking at the wrong thing that seems to be a prepaid credit card?

I need a bank account and debit card, somewhere I can keep money.

It is, of sorts. I have one for when I I travel and as an emergency backup
- think of it as a 'cash stash'- in case I lose my wallet etc.

Being a PH member, obviously I have the Gold one but it does have its own sort code/account number, takes faster payments from my main bank account and has a direct debit/standing order facility. I keep around a £1k in it and have only ever used the o/d facility once for 3 days.Charges 50p flat per day in o/d fees. Oh and £30 odd a year membership.

[All that jazz]

KFC said:

Is there any bank that I can open an account with completely online or by mail? I'm looking for a regular current account. I don't need or want a cheque book, credit card, overdraft facilities etc - which no doubt won't be available to me anyway as I have no credit history and don't currently even have any UK bank account.

I'm a UK citizen so have drivers license, passport etc. I have a property in UK so have gas bills also. But I'm not physically there so a visit to a bank is impossible at this time.

Someone suggested Smile internet bank but I can't use them as they want details of your current bank account / sort code, which I don't have. I can see a bunch of banks let you apply online or download application forms... but I don't want to waste time filling them all in and posting them off to have them write me at the end saying "come to the branch to pick your card and pin up"

thanks

Ex HSBC here. The highlighted bit is part of the problem but more importantly are you on the electoral role and have a landline number in your name in the phone book? These two are what the banks primarily use to electronically confirm who you are and where you live. If they can confirm you electronically many banks won't require you to send your DL/PP and util bill to them for proof of ID/address.

Most banks will do it all online now and send your card and pin but expect to have to send your DL and a util bill to confirm who are you and where you live first.

Forget prepaid cards unless you're up to your eyes in CCJs or bankruptcy as they are the only people that use them because the banks laugh at them when they try to open a high street bank account. Naturally as we're all company directors here then this won't be a concern for you.

Edited by All that jazz on Sunday 8th September 08:40

[TVR1]

All that jazz said:

Forget prepaid cards unless you're up to your eyes in CCJs or bankruptcy as they are the only people that use them because the banks laugh at them when they try to open a high street bank account. Naturally as we're all company directors here then this won't be a concern for you.

I can assure you that I'm neither up to my eyes in CCJs or bankrupt. A useful tool when required. Doesn't cost much really and offers all of the advantages of a normal bank account but none of the messing about. I'm assuming that the OP requires a UK account for specific reasons and don't see what your issue is with Cashplus in these circumstances?

Obviously, I can't speak for everyone but I have found my account useful. I'm sure I'll give you an embolism when I mention that I also use Paypal to send money to my overseas bank account too. Why? Because its cost free, fast and I can track it. Unlike when I send it through my numbered Swiss Account.

If it offers the best solution for the OP, why have a chip on shoulder about it?

[All that jazz]

TVR1 said:

I can assure you that I'm neither up to my eyes in CCJs or bankrupt. A useful tool when required. Doesn't cost much really and offers all of the advantages of a normal bank account but none of the messing about. I'm assuming that the OP requires a UK account for specific reasons and don't see what your issue is with Cashplus in these circumstances?

Obviously, I can't speak for everyone but I have found my account useful. I'm sure I'll give you an embolism when I mention that I also use Paypal to send money to my overseas bank account too. Why? Because its cost free, fast and I can track it. Unlike when I send it through my numbered Swiss Account.

If it offers the best solution for the OP, why have a chip on shoulder about it?

The only thing a prepaid card offers over a high street bank card is (limited) protection from going overdrawn and incurring charges simply because of the way the card works. Everything else about them is substandard to a high street bank account. Unless it's something you will only use very infrequently and for tiny amounts you will still need to upgrade the account for it to be of any real use which - just like any high street bank - will require them to confirm your ID and address for money laundering, ie. presenting the exact problems and "hassle" as opening a high street account.

They are specifically designed for the sub-prime and credit adverse who can't get a high street account. That is why they get away with charging the ridiculous fees and usage limitations that they do. Only a fool would use one out of choice.

[TVR1]

All that jazz said:

They are specifically designed for the sub-prime and credit adverse who can't get a high street account. That is why they get away with charging the ridiculous fees and usage limitations that they do. Only a fool would use one out of choice.

A yearly fee for my account. No charge for purchases or cash withdrawals in the UK. A percentage in Europe but only used that a couple of times and no worse than Santander.

Although, I will agree, their withdrawal/transaction charges on the 'free account' accounts are a bit harsh.

[TVR1]

TVR1 said:

A yearly fee for my account. No charge for purchases or cash withdrawals in the UK. A percentage in Europe but only used that a couple of times and no worse than Santander.

What usage limitations? News to me.

Although, I will agree, their withdrawal/transaction charges on the 'free account' accounts are a bit harsh.

[All that jazz]

the accused said:

Cashplus have recently increased the annual fee from £29.99 to £49.
There is no charge for deposits by cash or transfer.
The first 3 payment transfers per month are free. Each one thereafter costs 99p.

I use the account to make 1 monthly deposit and 1 quarterly deposit. I also make 5 regular transfer and debit payments per month from the account, and will make perhaps another 3 irregular ones. So my charges will amount to about £60 per year. Plus the £49 annual fee. So £109 in fees and charges per annum. Is that really so ridiculous for a business account turning over about £250kpa?

I have 5 other accounts. I'm not sure that the Cashplus one isn't actually the cheapest. I think it probably is.

Usage limitations can be altered by referring to their Head Office. It's really very easy.

But we're not talking about business accounts, we're talking about the best personal bank account for the OP, and Cashplus is most certainly not it.

[KFC]

Cashplus would be useless for me - it would tick the box of worldwide access to cash machines but the lack of ability to send bank transfers make it a no go.

[P-Jay]

You're going to really struggle, are circumstances throw up quite a few red flags in terms of identity theft and money laundering regulations - think of it from the point of view of the bank, and more importantly the volumes of rules and regulations they're governed by:

You don't have a UK bank account, okay, no one is born with one - but it's a reg-flag at the least.

You don't appear on the voters roll, you don't have a listed phone number, you don't have a credit history.

You can't appear in person so they can verify your ID.

You fit the profile of someone trying about half a dozen different money laundering and ID theft / ID creation scams.

I'd hold off until you're next in the UK, if you keep applying for Bank Accounts online from aboard claiming to be in the UK and 'looking for cracks in the wall' you're going to end up on a list, in fact I'd check the skies for drones right now!

[TVR1]

KFC said:

Cashplus would be useless for me - it would tick the box of worldwide access to cash machines but the lack of ability to send bank transfers make it a no go.

But you are able to. A couple of clicks in the members area and job jobbed.

[KFC]

£5k max limit per transfer - I'll need the option to be able to send more occasionally.

I'd really rather have the security of dealing with a real bank, I wouldn't be comfortable having a lot of money loaded on one of those prepay things.

I'll try apply for 1 bank account online... if they turn me down I'll go open a basic bank account somewhere in person next time I'm back.