Basic fee free bank accounts

Basic fee free bank accounts can help residents who don't qualify for a regular current bank account, residents who do not yet have a UK bank account or those who are experiencing financial difficulties.

To apply for a fee free bank account residents must be 16 years and over.

For residents who do not have the appropriate ID such as a passport or driving licence, alternative ID can be used please refer here for further guidance.

Basic fee free bank accounts do offer fewer services, for example no overdraft facility, cheque book, however they can still do the following:

• Have benefits, wages and other income paid into the bank account.
• Pay money in, including cheques, but not foreign currencies.
• Take money out either from over the counter or from a cash machine.
• Pay regular bills by direct debt or by standing order.
• Check your account balance at the bank, cash machine, online and on the mobile phone.
• The debit card provided can be used to purchase things online and in-store.

Here are the banks that offer fee free basic bank accounts:

Barclays Bank- more information here

Co-operative Bank- more information here

HSBC-more information here

Metro-more information here

Nationwide-more information here

NatWest -more information here

Santander-more information here

TSB- more information here

Virgin money- more information here