Different types of basic bank account All these accounts accept Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) payments, offer

All these accounts accept Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) payments, offer cash
This table shows which banks and building societies offer basic withdrawals at the Post Office®, and a cash-machine card. None of them offer a cheque
book or ask for a minimum amount to open an account.
bank accounts and what services you can expect to get.

Bank name and any special Minimum Free buffer Direct Charge for unpaid Debit card Bank branch Post Office® Free access If any of the following
name for the account age to zone (see Debits and Direct Debit 2 or (Solo, counter access branch access to bank cash apply to you, your
open an page 13) standing standing order Electron, machines application may be declined
account orders 1 Maestro or (balance, deposits (ATMs) in the UK
Visa debit) and withdrawals)

Bank of Ireland UK: Basic Cash 16 No Yes £42 4 No Yes Yes Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
Account (only available in Northern Ireland) record of fraud
Bank of Scotland: Cash Account 18 3 £10 Yes £10 Visa debit Yes Yes BoS, Halifax and Undischarged bankrupt,
(max 3 per day) Sainsburys ATMs record of fraud
Barclays: Cash Card Account 18 3 No Yes £8 Visa debit Yes Withdrawals Yes Record of fraud
(max 1 per day) only
Clydesdale: Readycash 16 No Yes £35 Maestro Yes Yes Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
record of fraud
Co-operative Bank: Cashminder 16 No Yes £15 (max £150 per Visa debit Yes Yes Yes Record of fraud
quarter) 5
First Trust Bank: Basic Bank Account 16 £10 Direct £35 No No Yes (except No, own ATMs Undischarged bankrupt, record
Debits only deposits) only of fraud, record of bad debts
Halifax: Easycash 16 £10 Yes £10 Electron Yes (withdrawals Yes (except Any LINK Undischarged bankrupt,
(max 3 per day) over £300 only) deposits) machine record of fraud
HSBC: Basic Bank Account 18 £10 Yes No 4 No Yes (except Withdrawals Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
withdrawals) only record of fraud
Lloyds TSB: Cash Account 18 3 £10 Yes £10 Visa debit Yes Yes No, own ATMs Undischarged bankrupt,
(max 3 per day) only record of fraud
Nationwide Building Society: 18 3 No Yes £15 Visa debit Yes (withdrawals Yes (except Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
Flex Cash Card over £100) 6 deposits) record of fraud
NatWest: Basic Account 18 £6 Yes £6 (max £60 in any Visa debit Yes Yes (except No, own ATMs Undischarged bankrupt,
charging period) deposits) only record of fraud
Northern Bank: 14 No Yes No Maestro Yes Withdrawals Yes Undischarged bankrupt, record
Northern Personal Access only of fraud, record of bad debts
Santander: Basic Current Account 16 No Yes £25 No Yes (withdrawals Withdrawals Any LINK Undischarged bankrupt,
over £300 only) only machine record of fraud
The Royal Bank of Scotland: 18 £6 Yes £6 (max £60 in any Visa debit Yes Yes (except No, own ATMs Undischarged bankrupt,
Basic Account charging period) deposits) only record of fraud
Ulster Bank: Step Account 18 No Yes £10 (max £100 in any Visa debit Yes Yes (except Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
charging period) deposits) record of fraud
Yorkshire Bank: Readycash 16 No Yes £35 Maestro Yes Yes (except Yes Undischarged bankrupt,
deposits) record of fraud

Explanatory notes
1 A bank may cancel a standing order or Direct Debit if, more than once, you don’t have enough This information is correct as at March 2012, but is subject to change.
money in your account to pay it.
Please check with your chosen bank or building society.
2 Correct at time of print but always check with the bank or building society.
3 16 and 17 year-olds can open a similar account.
4 The account may be closed if any Direct Debit or standing order is refused three times within
a 12-month rolling period.
5 A quarter is a group of three charging periods starting in January, April, July or October.
6 No balance enquiries or printed ‘mini statements’ and only Nationwide bills can be paid. moneyadviceservice.org.uk