Foundational banking Guidance for conversation on banking services Trainers notes for very basic banking with clients
This session pack has been produced as part of Citizens Advice Financial Skills for Life. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, Citizens Advice assumes no responsibility. The user of the information agrees that the information is subject to change without notice. To the extent permitted by law, Citizens Advice excludes all liability for any claim, loss, demands or damages of any kind whatsoever (whether such claims, loss, demands or damages were foreseeable, known or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with the drafting, accuracy and/or its interpretation, including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage and whether arising in tort (including negligence), contract or otherwise. Copyright 2015 Citizens Advice All rights reserved. Any reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited except with the express written permission of Citizens Advice. Citizens Advice is an operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, Charity registration number 279057, VAT number 726020276, Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered number 1436945 England. Registered office: Citizens Advice, 3 rd Floor North, 200 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD. 2
Foundational banking The aim of this session is to help advisers to provide a session to clients that introduces foundational concepts about bank accounts and associated products. This session is specifically aimed at those clients who do not have bank accounts, but would benefit learning what they are, their various advantages and disadvantages, and how to open one. Objectives are that by the end of this session clients will be able to: Understand why a bank account is useful. See how a bank account can help in their current circumstances. Know the basic outline of how to open an account. Understand the suitable documentation needed to open an account. General guidance notes on delivering a group financial capability session are available elsewhere on the Citizens Advice website. These notes are for the trainers use only. A separate handout pack should be used with every client in the group, which will include signposts for further information and guidance. Trainers are encouraged to feedback to the Financial Skills for Life team with any feedback about training materials or resources. If you have any comments, please contact: financial.skills@citizensadcvice.org.uk 3
Contents Session specific guidance 5 Lesson plan 7 1. Very basic quiz 8 2. Why have a bank account 9 3. Ways to pay for the weekly shop 10 4. Proof of identity and address 11 5. Steps to open a bank account 12 Evaluation Guidance 13 Trainers notes 15 4
Session specific guidance Subject information Trainers do not need to have specialist money advice knowledge or experience but must have a basic understanding of the different types of bank accounts, basic bank account features and be able to signpost learners to sources of further advice and information. The pack contains all the key information for the topics covered. Any additional information that is given should be taken from an up to date and accurate source such as: the money management section of www.adviceguide.org.uk the Money Advice Service free leaflets at www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk including borrowing money, credit cards and credit unions. This session aims to help learners understand the basic financial products available to them. For this learners should be referred to their local Citizens Advice or other advice agency. Materials Blank flip chart paper Marker pens Note paper and pens for learners Blu-tack Calculators Prepared cut-outs for word-matching activity Manage expectations Make it clear to clients that the session is a brief overview of banking products and the most essential elements of financial capability that relate to it. As a one-off session, there will not be the time to explore any single element in any great detail. Signpost and empower Ensure that clients are aware that after the session they will have a clear idea where to go to answer outstanding queries and to get further assistance. Pacing Due to the length of the session, it is recommended to allow at least one break for the clients. Be aware of this when planning total timings for sessions. 5
Top tips 6
Lesson plan 1 Adult Financial Capability Framework references: 1 B (d) 1 2 D (d) 1 3 B (a) 3 4 B (d) 3 5 D (d) 1 2 3 4 This session is intended to take about 60 minutes to deliver. Activity One should be used to gauge the clients level, if it becomes clear that this session is too basic for them, the adviser should take this opportunity to find more suitable resources rather than continuing. All activities should take roughly the same time to deliver. 5 Red activities Are essential to any session on this topic. Amber activities Are highly recommended but not essential. Green activities Are optional activities, if time allows. The size of the bubble indicates roughly how much time, relative to the session, to spend on an activity. 7
Activity: Super basic banking quiz AIC 20 - A This is designed to be a light exercise, using handout BAA1, just to get the session going so avoid going into too much detail at this stage. It can also be used to gauge a client s level of existing knowledge and ability. 1. You can open a bank account at any age True under 18s can open accounts. But they cannot get credit or an overdraft. 2. When you get a cheque, it must be paid in within six months. True otherwise it may not be accepted. 3. A letter from a social worker or GP confirming your ID is enough ID for opening a bank account. False one piece of evidence is not enough, you need two. Banks tend to ask for formal pieces of ID such as bills, passport etc. However they can be flexible about what they will accept so it is worth checking if they will accept something like a letter as one of the pieces of evidence. 4. Someone who is bankrupt can t open a bank account. False it might be hard to get credit etc, but some basic bank accounts should be available for them. 5. A company you pay by standing order can change the amount each time if they want. False companies can change direct debits, but not standing orders. 6. Which of the following card payment types is the nearest equivalent to paying by cash? Debit card as the money comes straight out of the account. If working in groups: Put the learners into groups of two and three and get them to complete the quiz in their groups. Go through the answers in the whole group, awarding points to each group for correct answers, the group with most points wins. You can have a small prize for the quiz winners, a bag of chocolate money or a copy of an extra resource, for example. 8
Activity: Why have a bank account? AIC 20 - A Give learners a couple of minutes in their twos/threes to discuss the different reasons why it might be good to have a bank account, decide on a score or rating and then tick the relevant column on the flipchart. During the following discussion, if negative aspects come up they can be addressed with these prompts that offer solutions to commonly cited hurdles: Worry that benefits/tax credits may make a mistake and stop payments. Clients need to check their account regularly to make sure that the correct monies are going in and out. Worry about how long it will take to get an account up and running. Having the correct information prepared can speed things up and it doesn t have to take long at all. Difficulties getting acceptable identification. Banks can accept a wider range of proof than it can first seem, sometimes you may have to talk to someone more senior or even the head office to sort this out. Some accounts require a minimum sum to be paid in, not all do and it is usually a very small amount. Concerns about charges. Make sure that you know all the possible charges and keep a close eye on your account to make sure you don t incur these without meaning to. Small print and jargon that are hard to understand. Take the information away so that you can have a proper look and ask if you don t understand anything. Access to banks. Check out what s available locally and also consider online or telephone banking. Dealing with call centres. Conversations over the phone can often be more difficult but having what you want to say prepared and any information you might need to refer to with you can help. Bank may try to sell you other products. Be assertive, always make sure that you have all the information you need before making a decision and don t be rushed into anything. 9
Activity: Ways to pay for the weekly shop AIC 20 - W This activity is a quick one used to expand the Ways to Pay activity, as it relies on the use of the Ways To Pay cards being available to the clients. Clients should be asked, individually or in pairs, to propose a best and worst way of paying for each of the categories on handout BAA3. If prompts are needed, ask: Which ways to pay are ok for where they do their weekly/regular shopping? Which ways to pay might not be accepted where they do their weekly/main shop? Which way helps them keep track of their money best? Or worst? Which way might cost them more? Advisers should be aware that there are no direct right or wrong answers, but there are clearly more preferable options in each case. If this was useful, why not try Budgeting Reasons to budget Banking Ways to pay It may also help to try some of the consumer Education resources oh the Citizens Advice website. 10
Activity: Proof of address and identity AIC 20 D Tell the group that you need to prove who you are and where you live when you open a bank account. Explain briefly that it is required by law, to help stop money laundering and prevent fraud. Banks have guidelines about documents they could accept and each bank sets its own policy on this. Provide the handout BAA4 and ask the client to come up with as many ideas as they can of documents, for example something in writing that will prove either who they are or where they live. Optional extra activity for learners with a good level of literacy, give them leaflets you have brought about different account providers and ask them to find out what they say about identification that is needed. This can illustrate the range of documents that may be required. Trainer notes For identity, aim to get a list covering (as relevant for your client): Passport Driving licence Residence permit National identity card Letter about benefit you are receiving Note that a passport or photo-card driving licence may be enough on its own, for example a government-issued document with a photograph. Alternatively, a government-issued document without a photograph, plus a second document showing address or date of birth. For identity, aim to get a list covering (as relevant for your client): Gas bill Electricity bill Water bill Council tax bill Mail order statement For students letter from college Letter about benefit you are receiving Bank statement Driving licence 11
Activity: Steps to open a bank account AIC 20 - A This activity lists the steps that are key to opening a UK bank account. Work through handout BAA5 with the client one at a time (if they are applicable). An adviser can also offer the following activities to support learning on each step. If the client wants more information on Step One, why not try Banking Why have a bank account? Banking Which account? If the client wants more information on Step Two, why not try Credit Mock credit report Credit Credit report exercise If the client wants more information on Step Three, why not try The English as a second language Toolkit, which has detailed ID resources. 12
Evaluation Guidance Areas that underpin client financial capability These are the Citizens Advice Financial Capability Areas that were carefully researched and developed by The Impact Team at Citizens Advice to help local offices measure client financial capability robustly and consistently across services. They were developed in line with the MAS UK Financial Capability Strategy Adult Outcomes Framework. Sample questions and scales can be found overleaf. An Impact Tool is available in Petra for recording responses and progress. Keeping track of money Keep track of money going out, money coming in and calculate what's left over. Check my current balance and keep my papers in order. Having enough money to live Have enough money to cover the basics I need to live like food, housing and electricity. Looking for the best deals Look at different options and buying the best deal for things like food, clothes, large items or services like phone, electricity or insurance. Get different opinions on what I am buying, like from reviews and comparison websites. Controlled spending Spend or save only what I can afford after covering the basics I need to live, like food, housing and electricity. Planning ahead with money Know when my bills and payments are due and keep on top of priority bills, like for electricity, loans and council tax. Put some money aside for big or unexpected costs. Staying informed about money services Read the main information about money services I get like banking, benefits and loans. Stay on top of changes to these or get help when I don t understand. Mindset Confidence about taking action on my money matters. Copyright 2015 Citizens Advice All rights reserved. Any reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited except with the express written permission of Citizens Advice. Please note these areas, questions and scales are owned by Citizens Advice and subject to copyright restrictions so reproduction must include the relevant copyright statement above and no changes to its wording, response categories or layout must be made. For further information please contact Satdeep Grewal on satdeep.grewal@citizensadvice.org.uk or 03000 231 608.
Sample questions and scales for measuring client financial capability These questions can be used to ascertain how good someone s financial capability is and so, what their level of need is. They also allow you to track progress by being used to follow-up with how someone is getting on after you have helped them. Score 1 to 3 Score 4 Score 5 to 7 Low financial capability Average financial capability Advanced financial capability High need Medium need Low need Keeping track of money Calculate money going out, money coming in and what's left over. Check my current balance and keep my papers in order. Rate your knowledge about the above How often do you do the above? No No to some Some Some to Good knowledge knowledge knowledge good knowledge knowledge Good to Excellent Don t know excellent knowledge knowledge 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Never Never to Sometimes Sometimes Often Often to Very often Don t know sometimes to often very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Staying informed about money services Read the main information about money services I get like banking, benefits and loans. Stay on top of changes to these or get help when I don t understand. Rate your knowledge about the above: How often do you do the above? No No to some Some Some to Good knowledge knowledge knowledge good knowledge knowledge Good to Excellent Don t know excellent knowledge knowledge 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Never Never to Sometimes Sometimes Often Often to Very often Don t know sometimes to often very often 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mindset How much confidence do you have about taking action on your money matters? No No to some Some Some to good Good Good to high High Don t know confidence confidence confidence confidence confidence confidence confidence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Copyright 2015 Citizens Advice All rights reserved. Any reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited except with the express written permission of Citizens Advice. Please note these areas, questions and scales are owned by Citizens Advice and subject to copyright restrictions so reproduction must include the relevant copyright statement above and no changes to its wording, response categories or layout must be made. For further information please contact Satdeep Grewal on satdeep.grewal@citizensadvice.org.uk or 03000 231 608.
Trainers notes 15