Access to bank accounts Toolkit for staff and volunteers

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1 Access to bank accounts Toolkit for staff and volunteers Why having a bank account is important Having a bank account is important for a number of reasons: Paying bills by direct debit can cost less, even if bills are normally paid on time; Some cheque cashing agencies can charge as much as 6.9% of a cheque s value, as well as an additional fee for the transaction; and, Many employers will only pay wages directly into a bank account. However, bank accounts may not be suitable for everyone. Charges can be applied if payments are missed, or there is not enough money in an account to cover a payment due. The different types of bank accounts available Basic bank accounts Basic bank accounts are the simplest type of accounts available. They are aimed at people who may not be able to access mainstream current accounts, or people who do not want an overdraft facility. A basic bank account usually allows people to: Have their wages or salary, benefits, pensions and tax credits paid directly into their account; Pay bills by standing order or direct debit; and, Check bank statements online. Some banks may also offer telephone banking services. Basic bank accounts generally don t offer overdraft facilities or cheque books, and only some banks will offer debit cards with this type of account. Most high street banks offer some form of basic bank account, details of which can be found on the following pages. Please remember, information about the different products listed is not an endorsement of any particular bank, or a recommendation about the suitability of products for someone s specific needs.

2 of Scotland Name of account Cash Facilities Visa debit card Contact details s/compare-current-accounts/cash/ Barclays Basic Current Cash card or Visa debit card Applications must be made in person. Two forms of identification are needed. To find out where the nearest branch is visit: The Cooperative Cashminder Regular statements To request an application pack phone shminder Halifax HSBC Easycash Basic Visa electron card Visa debit card For more information or to apply online visit: For more information or to apply online visit: An application pack can be requested by phoning Lines are open 8am to 10pm every day, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year s Day. Applications can also be made in person. To book an appointment phone You will need to bring proof of address and identity to this appointment. Lloyds TSB Cash sh_account.asp

3 Nationwide Nationwide FlexBasic Money Manager service app a/apply_current_account/cashaccountl TB Or in person. To find your nearest branch visit: or/search.asp rrent-accounts/flexbasic/apply Santander Basic Current Top up debit card Cash card Online banking alerts By telephone Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 4pm on Saturday. Or in person. To find your nearest branch visit: Yorkshire Readycash For more information or to apply for an account visit: Current accounts Current bank accounts can offer more facilities than basic bank account, this could include items such as overdraft facilities or cheque books. All banks offer some form of current account, but they may undertake additional checks, such as credit searches, before offering such facilities.

4 Jam jar accounts (also known as budgeting accounts) Jam jar accounts are a fairly new product. This type of account allows money to be divided into different sub accounts, for example a set amount of money can be transferred to a sub account and used to pay bills, and another folder can be set up to cover travel and groceries and so on. The advantages of a jam jar account are that some of the worries linked to managing money are taken away and money set aside to pay priority bills can t be spent accidentally. The main drawback of this type of account is they can be very expensive; as much as 15 per month. To find out more about this type of account visit: Santander have recently launched a new account called the Basic Current which has been designed to help people improve their money management. Once a household knows how much money is needed for bills and other regular payments, remaining money can be transferred to separate top up debit card. For more information about this account visit: Post Office accounts Post Office Card accounts are useful for people who do not have a bank account but need a way of receiving benefits, pensions or Tax Credits. For more information about Post Office Card accounts, visit: Pre-paid credit cards Pre-paid credit cards can be an alternative to a traditional bank account and are a new way to manage money. For more information about pre-paid cards which let you pay in wages, visit: Identification needed to open a bank account Identification is needed to open a bank or Post Office account. This helps to verify an individual s identity and their current UK address. The type of identification accepted may differ between banks, however examples could include: Identify verification Current passport Current driving licence (provisional licences are not accepted) Current UK address verification Utility bills (mobile phone bills are not accepted) Current TV Licence

5 Armed forces identification card Current student university identification card Current Child Tax Credit letter, or other official letter from HM Revenues and Customs Notice of coding Current benefit entitlement letter, for example Housing Benefit Current household insurance policy document Current tenancy agreement or rent book from a social landlord Current benefit entitlement letter this must differ from documents used to verity an individual s identity An official letter from a sheltered housing provider confirming residency A letter from a local authority to confirm that an individual is on the electoral role Further information Debt and money advice: Financial inclusion information for professionals and volunteers: For queries relating to the support available to promote financial inclusion, contact the Active Inclusion Newcastle Unit at Newcastle City Council: financial.inclusion@newcastle.gov.uk Phone: This information was accurate at the time of publishing (January 2016)