Current accounts for couples, students, travellers and poor credit history
Finding the bank account that’s right for you can be the first step to taking full control of your finances. With so much choice, however, deciding on the best banking option isn’t always easy.
At The Co-operative Bank, we offer a range of bank accounts. Read on to find out which of our account could best fit your individual needs.
Choosing a bank
Before you choose a current account, you may want to choose a bank based on your own personal preferences. Here are a few things to think about when selecting a bank:
Do I want to bank in-branch?
Almost all banks now offer online services. However, some online-only banks have completely removed the option of face-to-face interaction with customers. Other banks offer a range of bank accounts, some of which are online-only while others allow you to bank in branch too.
Take this into account when choosing your bank. It may help to know which banks will be able to help you in person if you have a problem.
Do I want a Bank, Building society or credit union?
One of the main differences between banks and building societies is how they operate; a building society is owned and run by its members. A bank is usually owned by shareholders. Credit unions are not-for-profit organisations that offer financial services, although only some credit unions offer bank accounts.
Choosing a current account
When choosing a current account, it’s a good idea to decide exactly what you need to do with it. This will often depend on your personal or financial situation. For example, if you’re about to go to university, you’ll have different needs to someone about to go on an extended holiday.
Different types of bank account often have different features and perks, which can suit your circumstances. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around until you find the account that’s just right for you.
Our current accounts:
Students
If you’re in university or another form of higher education, you could benefit from having a student bank account. They’re tailored towards the lifestyle of students in a number of ways. One standard feature is an interest-free overdraft.
Our Student Bank Account comes with an interest-free overdraft starting at £1,400. You can request to increase this amount each year that you’re a student, and we give you a year to pay off your overdraft interest free after you complete your course.
Fees are incurred if the agreed limit is exceeded. Learn more about overdrafts.
Poor credit history
There should always be an account for you, even if you have a poor credit history or have experienced bankruptcy. If this applies to you, it might be a good idea to find a basic bank account with no additional fees attached.
At The Co-operative Bank, we offer the Cashminder: our basic bank account. This account comes with online and mobile banking access, and you can apply no matter your financial circumstances.
This account is free from any monthly charges but no overdraft is available. To help protect against fraud, we'll share the personal information from your application with fraud prevention agencies.
Learn more about getting a bank account with poor credit history.
16 and 17 year-olds
If you’re aged 16 or older and entering the world of banking, you may want a simple bank account to start with.
Our Cashminder account can be a good starter for young account holders. We’ll send you your very own debit card for in-person use and online purchases. And you’ll have access to payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Wallet.
You may also be eligible for our standard Current Account. This account has an optional overdraft – you have to be 18 or over to request this.
Learn more about bank accounts for 16 and 17 year olds.
Travellers and holidaymakers
If you like to explore the world, you could benefit from a bank account which complements your lifestyle.
Our Everyday Extra packaged bank account has all the same features as our standard Current Account, as well as a number of additional benefits. These include worldwide travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and UK & European breakdown cover. All for just £15 a month. Subject to eligibility. Exclusions and limitations apply to all benefits.
Learn more about packaged bank accounts and bank accounts with travel insurance.
Couples
Managing your finances as a couple isn’t always as easy as you’d like. That’s why it’s useful to have a bank account that’s designed to help people manage their money together. This is where a joint bank account can help.
Here at The Co-operative Bank, we offer our Standard Current Account and Everyday Extra accounts as joint bank accounts. They make sure you both get equal financial coverage.
Learn more about joint back accounts.
Important things to remember
Before you decide on your ideal bank and account, there are a few important considerations to think about:
- Shop around – the first account you find may not be right for you, and there may be a perfect account waiting if you keep searching
- Check for fees – you may find a bank account that seems ideal at first glance, but be sure to read the fine print as some come with monthly costs or potentially expensive overdraft fees
- Customer satisfaction – it might be a good idea to check what a bank’s current customers think before you decide for yourself
- Overdraft information – make sure you've read the information, checked your eligibility for an overdraft with our eligibility checker, and checked the potential cost with our overdraft calculator.
Not found what you're looking for?
Contact our support team