Do you need a parachute account?

[barracad]

Below is a list of basic bank accounts available for people who need a parachute account, but who may struggle to open a 'regular' current account.

 

The details are in alphabetical order so one bank is not recommended over another.

For ease of reference, the only two which offer debit cards are Co-op (Electron Card) and NatWest (Solo Card). However, I have also included a list of their charges which may sway people who aren't too fussed about a debit card. [Please note charges can change so please check with the bank]

 

 

Abbey

Basic Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £35

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

Alliance & Leicester

Basic Cash Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Direct debits only

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £34

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, some bad debts depending on individual circumstances.

 

 

Bank of Ireland

Basic Cash Account

(Only available in Northern Ireland and Eire)

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £38

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts.

 

 

Bank of Scotland

Easycash

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £39

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

Barclays

Cash Card Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 18

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Direct debits only

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £39

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Record of fraud.

 

 

Clydesdale

Cashmaster

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £35

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud, some bad debts.

 

Co-operative Bank

Cashminder

Minimum age to open an account: 18

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £19.50

Debit card (Solo or Electron): Yes

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Record of fraud.

 

 

First Trust Bank

Basic Bank Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: £10

Direct debits and standing orders: Direct debits only

Charge for unpaid direct debit: Under £35: £22.50; Over £35: £37.50

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts.

 

 

Halifax

Easycash

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £39

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

HSBC

Basic Bank Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 18

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: £10

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: No

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

 

Lloyds TSB

Basic Bank Account

Minimum age to open an account: 18 (16-year-olds can open a similar account)

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: £10

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: No

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

 

Nationwide Building Society

Flex Cash Card

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: £1

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £30

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: History of fraud.

 

 

Natwest

Step Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £38

Debit card (Solo or Electron): Yes

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

Northern Bank

Cashmaster - Basic

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £37.50

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarge bankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts.

 

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland

Key Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 18

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £38

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarge bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

 

Ulster Bank

Basic Bank Account

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: Under £20: £35.00; Over £20: £37.50

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud.

 

Yorkshire Bank

Readycash

 

Minimum age to open an account: 16

Minimum amount to open an account: None

Free buffer zone: No

Direct debits and standing orders: Yes

Charge for unpaid direct debit: £35

Debit card (Solo or Electron): No

If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined: Undischargedbankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts.

[barracad]

I have no idea why this has turned into a random discussion about POS equipment either, but if you are looking for a parachute account for your hubby please see the first post in this thread.

[barracad]

Yes but you can't have a debit card, chequebook, etc.