If you have bad credit and need a bank account, you can still obtain a "basic bank account" from most banks and building societies.

These accounts do not have any credit facilities (like overdrafts), but you still are able to set up direct debits and standing orders on most accounts. Because there are no credit facilities, you can get a basic bank account with very poor credit history. You may want a basic bank account to stop creditors withdrawing or "drawing down" money from your existing account without telling you.

To help you, we have compiled a list of basic bank accounts
and a link to apply for them online:

Great Britain		S/O and D/D	Online
Abbey / Santander	Basic Account	S/O and D/D
Barclays	Cash Card	D/D
Clydesdale Bank	Readycash	S/O and D/D
Co-Operative Bank	Cashminder	S/O and D/D
Halifax	Easycash	S/O and D/D
HSBC	Basic Bank Account	S/O and D/D
Lloyds TSB	Cash Account	S/O and D/D
Nationwide BS	Cash Card Account	S/O and D/D
Natwest	Step Account	S/O and D/D
Royal Bank of Scotland	Key Account	S/O and D/D
Yorkshire Bank	Readycash	S/O and D/D
Northern Ireland
First Trust Bank	Basic Bank Account	D/D
Northern Bank	Northern Personal Access	S/O and D/D
Ulster Bank	Step Account	S/O and D/D