This table shows which banks and building societies offer basic bank accounts and what services you can expect to get.
All these accounts accept Automated Credit Transfer (ACT) payments, offer cash withdrawals at the Post Office®, and a cash-machine card. None of them offer a cheque book.
To ensure better printing, users of Internet Explorer 6 or earlier may need to set your print options to landscape – or print this table directly from our printed guide – see Basic bank accounts table.
| Bank name and any special name for the account | Minimum age to open an account | Free buffer zone | Direct Debits and standing orders (1) | Charge for unpaid Direct Debit or standing order (2) | Debit card (Solo, Electron, Maestro or Visa debit) |
Bank branch counter access (balances, deposits and withdrawals) | Post Office® branch access (balances, deposits and withdrawals) | Free access to bank cash machines (ATMs) in the UK | If any of the following apply to you, your application may be declined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance & Leicester: Basic Cash Account |
16 | No | Direct Debits only | £25 | No | Yes (withdrawals over £250 only) | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Bank of Ireland: Basic Cash Account (only available in Northern Ireland) |
16 | No | Yes | £42 (4) | No | Yes | Yes | No (own ATMs only) |
Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Bank of Scotland: Easycash |
16 | No | Yes | £15 (max 3 per day) |
Electron | Yes (withdrawals over £300 only | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Barclays: Cash Card Account |
18 (3) | No | Yes | £8 | Visa debit | Yes | Withdrawals only | Yes | Record of fraud |
| Clydesdale: Readycash |
16 | No | Yes | £35 | Maestro | Yes | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Co-operative Bank: Cashminder |
16 | No | Yes | £19.50 (4) | Visa debit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Record of fraud |
| First Trust Bank: Basic Bank Account |
16 | £10 | Direct Debits only | £35 | No | No | Yes (except deposits) |
No (own ATMs only) |
Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts |
| Halifax: Easycash | 16 | No | Yes | £15 (max 3 per day) |
Electron | Yes (withdrawals over £300 only) |
Yes (except deposits) |
Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| HSBC: Basic Bank Account |
18 | £10 | Yes | No (4) | No | Yes (except withdrawals) |
Withdrawals only | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Lloyds TSB: Cash Account |
18 (3) | £10 | Yes | £20 (max 3 per day) |
Visa debit | Yes | Yes | No (own ATMs only) |
Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Nationwide Building Society: Flex Cash Card |
16 | No | Yes | £30 | No | Yes (withdrawals over £30) (5) |
Yes (except deposits) |
Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| NatWest: Step Account |
16 | No | Yes | £38 (4) | Solo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Northern Bank: Northern Personal Access |
14 | No | Yes | No | Maestro | Yes | Withdrawals only | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud, record of bad debts |
| Santander: Basic Bank Account |
16 | No | Yes | £5 – £35 (check with bank) | No | Yes (except withdrawals) |
Yes (except deposits) |
Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| The Royal Bank of Scotland: Key Account |
16 | No | Yes | £38 (4) | Solo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Ulster Bank: Step Account |
16 | No | Yes | £10 | Visa debit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
| Yorkshire Bank: Readycash |
16 | No | Yes | £35 | Maestro | Yes | Yes (except deposits) |
Yes | Undischarged bankrupt, record of fraud |
Source: British Bankers’ Association, November 2009
This information is correct as at time of publication but is subject to change.
Please check with your chosen bank or building society.
Explanatory notes