No Fixed Address Service: HSBC launches bank account for homeless people

For the first time, not having a fixed address won’t prevent you from being able to open a bank account, thanks to a new bank account from HSBC.

This is everything you need to know about the 'no fixed address' service (Photo: Shutterstock)

This is everything you need to know about the ‘no fixed address’ service from the UK bank.

‘No fixed address’ account

In partnership with Shelter, a UK charity dedicated to helping people struggling with bad housing or homelessness, HSBC has launched a new bank account. It’s called the No Fixed Address Service and it’s a specialist service available in selected branches.

Through this scheme, people without ID or a fixed address can gain access to a bank account.

Shelter CEO Polly Neate said, “It's hard enough if you're homeless, living day-to-day on the streets in the freezing cold or trapped with your children in a grotty hostel, but not having a bank account can make life even tougher.

“That's why Shelter is pleased to work with HSBC UK on this game-changing product. Having a bank account not only allows people who are homeless to receive wages and claim benefits, but it also gives them their independence back."

Maxine Pritchard, Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability at HSBC UK said: “At HSBC UK we’re committed to offering support to those who would otherwise be excluded from banking. No-one in today’s society should be without a bank account and it’s up to financial organisations to make banking more accessible.

“Opening a bank account can give homeless people a true sense of independence. Not only is it required in order to receive benefits and wages, but it’s also a secure mechanism for looking after their money rather than having pockets of cash, which makes them vulnerable.”

How to open an account

People who may have previously struggled to open an account can now do so when accompanied to an HSBC UK branch by their Shelter caseworker.

The HSBC website outlines the following steps:

Firstly, if you have internet access, visit the Shelter website or the website of the charity that is supporting this scheme where you’re based. If you don’t have access to this information, you can visit an HSBC UK branch and ask a member of staff for help.

Next, a representative from Shelter (or other charity, such as Crisis) will help to arrange the support required.

Once you’ve received this support and an account has been opened, any correspondence from HSBC UK will be sent to the local charity address, which includes:

- Bank cards

- PIN notifications

- Other updates

Specialist branches

These are all the branches that the ‘no fixed address’ service is currently offered in:

- Belfast City

- Bishopsgate, City of London

- Birmingham New Street

- Blackpool Oxford Square

- Bournemouth Old Christchurch Road

- Bradford Market Street

- Bristol Cabot Circus

- Bristol Filton

- Cardiff Queen Street

- Croydon Central

- Dover

- Enfield, The Town

- Glasgow City

- Hull

- Hounslow High Street

- Leeds City

- Liverpool Lord Street

- Manchester St Anns

- Middlesbrough St Alberts Road

- Newcastle City

- Nottingham Clumber Street

- Palmers Green

- Peterborough

- Sheffield City

- Southampton

- Stratford

- Swansea

- Swindon

- Walthamstow

- Wrexham