Basic Accounts

Benefit from the freedom and convenience of a basic account.

Download Application Form here

If you have a poor credit rating or a bank has turned you down for other reasons, you will still be able to apply for a basic account with us. You will be able to withdraw money, deposit funds into your account and apply for a pre-paid debit card. You will not however, receive a cheque book, credit card or be offered an overdraft.


You can find out more about basic accounts below or arrange to come in and talk to one of our friendly advisers.

As long as you are resident in Jersey and the account is for personal purposes only, you can open an account with us, even if you have been blacklisted elsewhere.

We aim to help residents who are members of the Island’s community but they do not need to be residentially qualified. We reserve the right to make any decision regarding residency, on a case-by-case basis.

Provided the application form is fully completed and satisfactory supporting documentation is made available, an account can usually be opened within a week. If you have a poor credit rating or a bank has turned you down for other reasons, you will still be able to apply for a basic account with us. You will be able to withdraw money and deposit funds into your account but you will not receive a cheque book, credit card or be offered an overdraft.

We will provide you with a basic account which you can use to make and receive electronic payments and set up regular standing orders. You may also wish to open a separate savings account and are encouraged to put aside a small amount each month.

If you wish to pay in cheques, we operate a counter service four mornings a week from our office in Commercial Street or these can be posted to us for deposit. You can apply for a pre-paid card with a third party card provider, which can be used for ATM cash withdrawals and to pay for goods and services, including online.

We do not presently allow cash withdrawals or deposits. We have an arrangement with Jersey Post to enable counter collections (not deposits) for those managing their finances in cash.

We attempt to make the account opening process as simple as possible but, as we are bound by local anti-money laundering regulations, we are required to gather certain information from new customers, in order to comply with our obligations.

All applications have to be made in person so you will need to make an appointment with us to open an account. You will need to bring the following items with you:

  • Completed Application Form (or we can fill this in together)
  • Proof of identity with photographic identification (current passport, driving licence or national ID). Your photographic ID should show your name, signature, ID number, nationality, date of birth, date and place of issue and expiry date
  • Proof of address – a utility bill for a fixed service (no mobile phone statement); or bank statement; or documentation issued by a States of Jersey department e.g. Social Security, Health (note all documentation is to be dated within the last 3 months); or a current tenancy contract or agreement.
  • An initial cash deposit of at least £10 to put into your account

Should you be unable to provide any of the above preferred forms of identification, please let us know, preferably in advance and we will consider acceptable alternatives.

We may need to request additional documentation or personal information to satisfy our requirements.

Once your account has been opened, you will be provided with your account number and our bank details for payments in. You will need to give these to your employer if you wish to have your salary or wages paid into your Community Savings account.

Please ensure that your employer also quotes your name and account number.

If you receive income support or other benefits or allowances, you will need to give these details to Customer and Local Services.

Anyone wishing to pay money into your account will need to know your account number. You can also pay in cheques to your account via our counter service or these can be posted to us for deposit.

You can apply for a ‘pre-paid’ debit card through us, with a third party card provider, to withdraw cash from an ATM and pay for goods and services, including over the telephone or online. You will need to ensure that your card has sufficient credit before it is used. You can top it up with money from your Community Savings account, as and when required and a standing order may be set up so we fund your requirements on a pre-determined basis. Please note that there are third-party costs associated with certain aspects of this service, details of which will be provided.

We dot not allow cash withdrawals or deposits. We have an arrangements with Jersey Post to enable counter collections (not deposits) at the Broad Street Post Office, for those managing their finances in cash.

A mobile app is available, at no cost, to enable members to view their balances and transactions, and to make transfers between their own accounts.

We can also help you set up standing orders for any regular payments you want to make from your account. However, we cannot accept direct debits to this account.

The minimum amount is £1 and we expect you to save at least £5 every month.

Yes, you can apply for a ‘pre-paid’ debit card through us, with a third party card provider, to withdraw cash from an ATM and pay for goods and services, including over the telephone or online. You will need to ensure that your card has sufficient credit before it is used. You can top it up with money from your Community Savings account, as and when required and a standing order may be set up so we fund your requirements on a pre-determined basis.

Please note that there are third-party costs associated with certain aspects of this service, details of which will be provided by the card provider.

 

 

You can either instruct us to make a one-off or regular (standing order) bank to bank payment, or to transfer funds to your pre-paid card (if you have one) which can then be accessed via a local ATM or for purchases in shops or online.

We do not allow cash withdrawals or deposits. We have an arrangements with Jersey Post to enable counter collections (not deposits) at the Broad Street Post Office, for those managing their finances in cash.