Debit cards

[down but not out]

Hi I am very new just applying for an IVA and am absolutely petrified. Are you still allowed a debit card to do shopping. Or do you have to draw the cash out first? Would be grateful for any advice

[Cath]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Yes, you can have a debit card when in an IVA. If you haven't already applied for a basic account with a bank which isn't one of your creditors, I would do so now.

Good luck x

[down but not out]

Thanks for answering my question Cath, is there any banks which you stand a better chance of acceptance with do you know?

[Cath]

Co-op bank isn't part of any of the big bank groups, they only have a link to Birmingham Midshires.

You can apply over the phone. Mine was accepted straight away. It's the cashminder account.

[down but not out]

Thanks l am going to try to get an account

[Cath]

You should be fine, give them a ring now and let us know how you get on. x

[Skippy]

Good luck with the Co-op, I'm sure you'll be fine x

[MRBLUESKY]

good luck down but not out,you should be fine with the coop.thought you would be at the xmas party skippy,see youve got your reply to mail sorted.

[merrypotter]

hi, yes I got a coop account 2 n half years into my IVA so you should be ok applying , good luck

[back on track]

just remember when going for a coop account that smile is also the coop bank's online arm

[jtomo64]

Lloyds TSB are also very accommodating, You can apply online as I did and was accepted without any problems. Another thread I have read on here of someone applying on the telephone and again no problems setting up an account. They have a classic account which gives you a Visa Debit card and has no overdraft so it is ideal for use in an IVA. It is a free account, no monthly admin fees!!
You can use the online banking which has all the facilities you need, ie direct debits, standing orders and you can also link a savings account and tranfer between the 2 accounts. I use mine to pay in monies contingency fund.

The Co-op also get good reviews, the only reason I decided on Lloyds is because they are in my High Street if I need to pop in to the bank.

Links to Lloyds TSB are as follows:

Halifax
Bank of Scotland (not RBS)
Cheltenham & Gloucester
Clerical Medical
Scottish Widows

J.

[Skippy]

Have Lloyds changed their basic account? When I had it I had a cash card which could only be used in a Lloyds cashpoint, which was absolutely pointless! It was a shame as, other than that, I was happy with the account.

Regarding the Co-op, you don't actually need a local branch as you can bank at the Post Office.

[jim_h]

yes they have cash back ok only that you have to draw cash out at lloyds mc but can get cash back at supermarkets and comes with a £10 buffer

[Skippy]

I can't understand why they do that. For me it would mean going into town every time I wanted money and that's not an option - I'm not paying to park so I can get my own cash!

[kallis3]

I'm with Nationwide and although it is only a cashpoint card I can withdraw from any ATM and with no charges.