bank accounts - think banking/RBS

[elizabethr]

Still gathering info to open new account. I see think banking coming up and I know someone who has one. I understand that think banking is Royal Bank of Scotland? I have debts with Tesco and Mint who both use RBS would that affect me using Think Banking? Also if Tesco and Mint both use RBS does that become one creditor in effect and means they have a higher %

[scaredkez]

nothing will affect you opening an account with think banking, even if RBS is a creditor, it is run by think banking they just use RBS as the bank, i had RBS as my creditor and opened a think banking account 1 yr ago, its not like a normal account where you can get balances from the atm or go in a bank and draw money from the counter once you have your card, you can pay money in through a RBS branch.
kerri

[elizabethr]

I have 2 accounts at the mo with Barclays and I use them in the way Think Banking works (I think). No 1 is for salary and No 1 pays No 2 where all the DDs go from so whats left in No 1 (which is usually nothing) is what I have to live on. I also find internet access essential as I don't have time to go to the bank. Did you say that you can't get balances from a cash machine - do you have to go into the bank to get money.

[Skippy]

You can withdraw money from a cashpoint but you can't get a balance from the cashpoint, you either do this by text or phoning Think Banking.

[elizabethr]

Does that mean Think Banking not on line. Can anyone tell me what banks could I use if I do IVA which have useful debit card and can be seen on line. I know I seem to have asked this question before and got some useful info but whilst reading replies to others questions I am now confused. The banks I seem to have picked up on are Lloyds TSB, Smile (Co-op), Co-op cashminder, Nationwide, Halifax, Yorkshire Banking and Think Banking

[caraf]

I have 2 accounts with the Lloyds - with debit card and online banking
and 2 accounts with smile, with debit card, cheque book and online banking.
My lloyds is for all the household DD etc..
and smile is for food etc...

[Skippy]

As far as I know Think Banking doesn't have online banking - I know they didn't when I had an account with them last year.

I am with the Co-op and I can't fault them. As I am bankrupt I have the Cashminder account which has a Visa Electron debit card, but if you're not yet in an IVA you may get a standard current account with them.

I also have an account with Nationwide, and again they are very good. I only have the basic Felxaccount with a cash card, but you may well get a full account with a debit card. The thing I like about the Flexaccount is that you can open e savings accounts linked to the account which make saving easier!

Before I was BR I had an account with Lloyds TSB and I was happy with them, although if they won't open a full current account they give you an account with a cash card which can only be used at their own cashpoints. I was happy with my current account though.

Smile are linked to the Co-op.

I've never liked the Halifax as they seem to take longer to do anything than any other bank! I had an account with them years ago and I had problems with them (the manager applied for a loan that I didn't want 'just to see if I could get one') so I'm very biased against them!

Yorkshire Bank have had some positive feedback on here as they give you a Maestro card even with the basic account.

[elizabethr]

So let me get this right.

I am not yet in an IVA - just preparing!

Lloyds TSB - normal account with cashcard, cheque book (no overdraft required anyway) - so I could do as I am doing now and have 2 accounts - one to pay all bills and one for money left - then I could open a normal savings to push over things for miscellaneous - christmas etc.

Nationwide - could I do that as above.

Basically - I just want normal accounts - 2 to keep my income and expenditure separate and then a savings to push some over. Debit card that I can use most places, some things (like school stuff) I still have to send cheques, use cash machines and check on internet.

Sorry to keep asking but am trying to do as much as possible before finally getting debts sorted.

[markss]

Hi I have just openned a yorkshire bank basic account which comes with a dual function maestro debit card. and you can setup DD/SO etc have salary paid in. what i like about this account is you can use the debit card anywhere unlike the solo/cirrios cards. also it is not credit checked. its called easycash account. beware they have two basic accounts ask for the maestro debit card one. hope this helps you.

[elizabethr]

Thanks - I'm getting some really useful tips

[louisa.s]

Hi Elizabeth,

Just to back up what the others have said.

We have a current account with Lloyds TSB opened before the IVA with a chequebook, cashpoint card (we didn't want a debit card) and online banking - subsequently we now have an online savings account. Used primarily for Bills/direct debits etc

We also have a Halifax easycash account with online banking and a visa electron card. (Food Account)

A co-op Cashminder account with online banking and a visa electron card. (Everything else nice account)

An Abbey national savings account with instant access via a cashcard (used for my car)

Although the set up may appear complicated i find it easier to view all of our money in the differenent accounts and we find we don't spend as much so bonus in that respect.

Hope you get something sorted.

lou