There are a number of banks that offer student bank accounts and credit cards. The main ones in the UK are HSBC, NatWest, Barclays, RBS and Lloyds TSB. Alternatively you can visit a building society such as Nationwide, Alliance and Leicester or the Halifax.

Most banks will offer a dedicated student current account, usually with a 0% overdraft facility. They will also sometimes offer varying incentives to sign on with them in the first place.
Insurance, particularly house contents insurance, can be great boon whilst at university. Losing an expensive item, whether it’s a text book or an iPod, can be highly distressful and insurance is good way of mitigating against the risk. Insurance providers who offer specialist products for students include HomeLet, Endsleigh and most major banks.

By Nick Sidwell