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A bank account can help you to manage your money. It also saves you from having to carry cash with you all the time. 

There are different types of bank accounts: 

  • You can have your salary and any benefits paid into the account
  • You can take money out at cash machines with a cash card
  • Pay your bills by direct debit
  • Some banks let you have a debit card to pay for your shopping
  • You don't need to pass a credit check to open a basic account. So long as you have money in the account to pay out any direct debits, you won't get charged

With a basic bank account you: 

  • don’t get a cheque book 
  • don’t get an overdraft facility
  • A current account can be used for day-to-day things like paying in salary or benefits, paying bills and taking money out. 
  • You can have your salary and any benefits paid into the account. 
  • You can take money out at cash machines with a cash card. 
  • Pay your bills by direct debit. 
  • A debit card to use in shops. 
  • Can have an overdraft facility. 
  • You may get a chequebook if you are given a cheque guarantee card. 
  • Credit Unions are run by the local community, and they can offer low-interest loans and savings accounts.