Here in the States a bank account will allow you to build a credit score which,unfortunately, is needed to get loans and credit cards, buy a car or a house, apply for an apartment, utilities, etc. etc.

I've managed it for 4 years, obviously I can't get credit but I tend to think along the lines of if I don't have the cash for it then I can't afford it anyway.

Then there are the problems of credit checks, if I wanted a phoneline put into my house I wouldn't be able to get one as telephone companies do a credit check, hence the telephone is in Claires name. On the upside of this, I am not on telephone companies computers, or the isp, or the televison people, tv license people. I'm pretty much invisible. I have a passport, a driving license and a National Insurance number but private firms are not allowed to get this information from the Government so I reckon I got it all secure. I never use my real name either, just to be on the safe side.

/jack

I used to work for Bank of America and they have a few dodgy practices when it comes to their crediti cards so if it's a credit facility you want then I'd steer clear of them.

Same reason I don't have one either - if I can't afford it this month I have no reason to suspect I'll be able to afford it next month. And then there's even less chance that I'll be able to afford it and the 29% interest charge on it the following month. Then before you know it a man named Enormous Derek has kicked my door in and broken my ankles.

It's reassuring to know that there are people who can live, if not completely hidden, then on the peripheries of Big Brother's vision.

To be perfectly truthful it isn't actually The Man I am hiding from, it's my family. I hate them and don't want to ever speak to them again, I know that they were looking for me for a bit but I made myself very inconspicuous.

I guarantee you there are at least three or four women here snickering over the fact that you guys give your entire paychecks to your wives. And more than a few wondering why their husbands don't...

That's a snickering point? Really? My husband is happy to not deal with our finances. The bills get paid, and purchases by either of us over a set dollar amount are discussed in advance--otherwise, he doesn't worry about it.

I have been with many banks in my short lifetime. Here's a few helpful ideas:

Banks I do NOT recommend:

Bank of America- they charge you out the ass if you go a penny over your bank account. Instead of owing a penny by the end of the week you'll owe them $224.00 ($32 per day for overdrafts).

Washington Mutual- When my ex-roomate stole my credit card and charged over $3,000 in online purchases to my account, they barely did anything to help me, stating that they could not validate if it was me who made the purchases because I hadn't reported my card stolen within the 'alotted' timeframe. After everything they credited me back $500 which covered the overdraft fees I had with them.

Wachovia- you know what, lets not even go there with them. They are also 2nd in the number of customer complaints they get a year (BoA is #1).

Banks I DO recommend

Bank Atlantic- not only are they opened 7 days a week, they are also very forgiving of overdraft fees. They're customer service is excellent and every Friday is Red Day. If you're wearing red you get a gift (I've gotten a toaster, keychains, utensil sets, etc. Not sure if they still do it though)

Huntington Bank- This is who I bank with now in Ohio. They're a very good bank, been around for a while and are also opened 7 days a week.

One thing you should also look for in a bank is if they have maitenence fees, are FDIC approved(if they're not, don't even bother because if by some chance the bank goes under you won't get you're money back)

Also some banks offer student accounts if you're in school and getting that will also help you get student credit cards which is helpful if you're starting out. Also some bqanks do charge you if you direct deposit so watch out for those and they'll charge you if you try to cash a check which isn't supported by their bank.

Hope this helps!

Hmmmm. Not sure what to say other than I don't need anyone else's paycheck. I make my own, and pay my own bills just fine.

That's the reason why I have A+ credit.

ing direct. Pretty much the best interest rates you're gonna get in a bank with a solid reputation.

Oh Boy, BoA would have been the second I would have recommended. I myself never had an account there but when I was looking lots of people recommended it. I ended having an account at Advancial Federal Credit Union. They are lame but very enthusiastic and helpful, and I am with them since 2002.

Just to say something bad about a bank. Do not try Sterling Bank. I was with them for 6 months, and I was far from completely satisfied, and it took me some time to close my account, because after I have closed it, from a mysterious source I got every month like 15-35 cents of direct deposit, so the account "did not close" and I got charged with their $10 monthly service fee over and over again.