In this article, we’re looking at “no credit check bank account UK”.
This will include digging into the specific accounts that can be opened without a credit check. And, we’ll also discuss why credit checks are required in the first place.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.
Table of Contents
- No Credit Check Bank Account UK
- Do All Banks in the United Kingdom Check Your Credit Score?
- Opening a Bank Account in the United Kingdom Without Credit Checks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Explore Your Options?
No Credit Check Bank Account UK
To open a “no credit check” bank account in the UK, applicants will need to select a basic bank account that does not offer any credit facilities. This includes avoiding obvious credit facilities like credit cards and loans. But, it also includes applying to open an account that does not have overdraft protection, which is a form of credit that banks extend to individuals.
With this in mind, most banks do offer basic bank accounts that do not include overdraft protection. If you apply for one of these accounts, it is highly unlikely that a bank will run a credit check, since there is no need for it.
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Do All Banks in the United Kingdom Check Your Credit Score?
Yes, all banks in the United Kindom check your credit score when applying for an account that offers a credit facility. However, if you are applying for an account that does not offer any credit facilities, then it is unlikely that the bank will check your credit score.
If a bank does decide to check your credit score when applying for a basic bank account (e.g. an account without any credit products), then a poor credit score will probably not impact the application. This is because the bank is not extending any credit facilities to the account opener, and therefore it does not have a reason to deny the application.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that if you have poor credit or you are in the process of rebuilding your credit, many banks offer credit builder programs that will help you improve your credit score. In many cases, these credit builder programs also include credit cards and other products that many people with poor credit cannot get access to.
Opening a Bank Account in the United Kingdom Without Credit Checks
To open a bank account in the United Kingdom without credit, you need to begin by understanding that you can only apply for a basic bank account.
Importantly, if you want to open a current (or checking) account, banks will typically include an overdraft facility. This overdraft will automatically trigger the need for a credit check because it is a form of credit that the bank extends to account holders.
Once you know the type of account you want to apply for, the second step is in choosing the right bank. Fortunately, all UK banks offer a relatively similar service, so selecting a bank that works for you will likely come down to cost and proximity.
That said, if you are a foreign non-resident looking to open accounts, you’ll find that there are far fewer options available. In fact, in most cases, we suggest that foreign non-residents consider opening in other European banking jurisdictions instead as they tend to be much easier to navigate, especially remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people looking into opening a “no credit check” bank account in the UK. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
What Banks Do Not Require a Credit Check to Open an Account?
Most banks do not require a credit check to open a basic bank account. Credit checks are only required when you are applying to open an account that extends a credit facility. In the most basic form, credit includes an overdraft facility. With this in mind, if you are unable to open an account when a credit check is run, you should try applying for basic bank accounts instead.
What Is the Easiest Bank Account to Open in the UK?
The easiest bank account to open in the UK is a basic bank account. Importantly, if you want to open a current (or checking) account, the bank will run a credit check since this includes an overdraft facility. If you do not apply for a current account, then it is possible that the bank will not run a credit check and can approve and open the account immediately.
How Can I Get a Bank Account With Bad Credit in the UK?
To get a bank account with bad credit in the UK, you can either apply for a credit builder account with one of the major UK banks or you can apply for an account that does not require a credit check.
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