Cosmopolitan Housing Association : Tenant zone : Opening a bank account

Tenant zone : Opening a bank account

Cosmopolitan Housing is working in partnership with the Royal Bank of

Scotland

and Nat West Bank to enable our tenants to have access to a basic bank account.

You can contact the Rent Income Team on 0151 224 0201 who will be happy to help you complete an application form and arrange for an appointment at your nearest bank.

This will enable you to have the following benefits:

Enabling you to have your wages, benefits, state pension and tax credits paid directly into your account.
With a basic bank account, it won't cost you anything to pay cheques in, although you will have to wait at least a few days for the money to be available in your account.
You can take your money out at cash machines by using a cash card, you would need to check with your bank to see if you will get charged at cash machines belonging to other banks.
Some accounts provide a debit card. If you have a debit card you can also withdraw cash from some shops using 'cashback'.
You can pay your bills by Direct Debit.
Some banks will aslo allow you to pay your bills by Standing Order. If you pay your bills by Direct Debit or Standing Order you will need to make sure that you have enough money in your bank account, or else you may incur charges.
You do not get a cheque book and you can't go overdrawn with a basic bank account because you won't get an overdraft limit.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is the UK's financial watchdog. They are responsible for regulating the UK's banks and building societies, as well as a number of other services including credit unions, insurance companies, financial advisers, stockbrokers, mortgage and insurance sellers.

The FSA has produced a guide to Basic Bank Accounts called 'Basic Bank Accounts - Your Questions Answered'. This is a useful guide that also looks at the range of accounts available from the different banks.

The FSA's website 'Money Made Clear' contains a lot of useful information covering different aspects of personal finance from getting to grip with your finances, to savings and pensions.

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