In IVA need new Bank Account

[stewpots]

I was with First Direct 19 years no debt problems with them at all

2 months into IVA called me no longer want to offer me banking facilities

They said try HSBC they turned me down

Saw on forum Nat west Step account, went in branch turned down!

Tried again on line turned down, says I am bankrupt?? I s that just another name for IVA I am not bankrupt, people on here within a IVA have got an account

Where can I get an account from??

I have debts with Halifax, Co-op, MBNA ,Mint (RBS) Sandtander so cant use them

[kallis3]

I'm afraid HSBC and First Direct are well known for not being IVA sympathetic.

NatWest have a habit of classifying IVA and BR the same. Not good on either count.

If you can't get a normal High Street accont (have you tried Barclays and Lloyds TSB?) then perhaps a paid for account would be ok. You are guaranteed an account but the only thing is that you have to pay a monthly fee.

[lukeofyorkshire]

Try HSBC??? Wow they are the worst bank, if you are in an IVA they will shut your account [:O]

Hmm Co-Op would have been the best one but as you say it is a no go.

Surprised you were turned down by Natwest as well!

This is a comprehensive list of accounts people in IVA's should be able to apply for due to Government legislation:

* Abbey Basic Bank Account
* Alliance & Leicester Basic Cash Account
* Barclays Bank Cash Card Basic Bank Account
* Clydesdale Bank Readycash Basic Bank Account
* Co-operative Bank Cashminder Basic Bank Account
* Coventry BS Branch Save Money Manager Basic Bank Account
* Coventry BS CallSave Money Manager Basic Bank Account
* First Trust Bank (NI) Basic Bank Account
* Halifax Easycash Basic Bank Account
* HSBC Basic Bank Account
* Lloyds TSB Cash Account Basic Bank Account
* Nationwide BS FlexAccount Cash Card Basic Bank Account
* NatWest Step Basic Bank Account
* NatWest Step - Advantage Blue Basic Bank Account
* Northern Bank (NI) Northern Personal Access Basic Bank Account
* Norwich & Peterborough BS Gold Current Basic Bank Account
* Royal Bank of Scotland Key Basic Bank Account
* Ulster Bank (NI) Step Account Basic Bank Account
* Yorkshire Bank Readycash Basic Bank Account

Now obviously it's not strictly correct as you were turned down for the Natwest Step Account. I'm with Yorkshire Bank but I did apply for it just before the IVA. Best to maybe ring a few of these places and be honest and say you have an IVA before applying as they will find out anyway when you apply.

[kallis3]

Abbey and A&L are now part of Santander so may be a no go. Co-op is no good as it is a creditor, as are most of the rest.

Yorkshire Bank,Barclays are probably the best.

Don't forget as well it depends on where you can pay money in and draw money out of.

[lukeofyorkshire]

I hope you are able to get an account with one of them stewpots.

[stewpots]

Thanks for this . I did go to Nat west in person told them I was in IVA and said it wouldn’t be a problem

Came in few days later proof of ID) passport etc.

Got turned down as she keyed details onto screen. ‘computer says no’

I wonder if I could talk to a human being they would change their minds ?

I am in full time work, 10 months + have consultancy work as well and am miles away from last year (out of work 10 months that forced the IVA issue)

I probably have £4,000 a month going into my account

It’s ridiculous

I was stupid as I was told to change bank before my IVA started but figured they would never find out


ps Barclays were another creditor

[lukeofyorkshire]

I feel for you I really do stewpots.

If you approach Yorkshire Bank and then maybe Barclays and hopefully if you speak to a human being then you might have some luck.

[lukeofyorkshire]

Just seen your edited comment lol, scrub Barclays.

I've gone through the website and can't find anything specific. I would maybe give Yorkshire Bank a call and tell them your situation and see what they say and go from there.

I agree with you, it's a totally crazy situation. Even more annoying as the Government made new laws to give people access to accounts and as usual the abnks are doing their own thing!

[kallis3]

Yorkshire are usually pretty good, not sure if you have to do it in branch though.

At least Barclays are a High Street branch and available anywhere.

[stewpots]

I feel for you I really do stewpots.

If you approach Yorkshire Bank and then maybe Barclays and hopefully if you speak to a human being then you might have some luck.

Barclay were one of my creditors , will try Yorkshire bank, I assume you can use their cards at most places.

The lady at First Direct said we don’t deal with people like you (on phone).

Made me feel like dirt.

I understand at a high level if they don’t want ‘IVA people’ fine but 19yrs I could be given a bit more notice, 6 weeks to go and I am panicking. Have loads of DD etc .

I must have been one of the first , First Direct customers ?

My IVA provider Tenon were useless ask them for a bank they could recommend they said ‘shop around’

[stewpots]

Just seen your edited comment lol, scrub Barclays.

I agree with you, it's a totally crazy situation. Even more annoying as the Government made new laws to give people access to accounts and as usual the abnks are doing their own thing!

I wrote to my local MP when i had to drive 50 miles to get my JSA last year. Long story but go into local papers. Watch this space, you try to get back on your feet and its a kick in the teeth.

I had a high paid job in the city and was made redundant.

After 8 months with no work did find out I was useless a driving forklift trucks and couldn't pass the test, that was a low point

[kallis3]

I've just seen that as well - sorry!!!!!!

I think it is really bad of HSBC and First Direct anyway and nobody should be spoken to like that. We are all human after all and deserve to be treated with respect.

Do you have any local building societies that you can try?

[lukeofyorkshire]

There is no loyalty from most firms to customers anymore stewpots, it is a sad state of affairs. But I like an elephant have a good mmemory and will remember the firms who didn;t help me, I'm sure you will too matey.

As for advice from RSM Tenon as they are called now as they merged with RSM Bentley Jennison (Know this as I used to guard their office in Leeds lol) you would think firms would gather this info to help customers. If I ran my own firm I would use other customers experience to help people.....

[lukeofyorkshire]

The lady at First Direct said we don’t deal with people like you (on phone).

Made me feel like dirt.

Sadly some Customer Service people just have no tact! It so annoys me as I love Customer Service as in one form or another it's all I have ever done.

My Yorks Bank card is a Maestro. Have no issues with it at all.

[kallis3]

I think that sometimes it does come down to how easy it is to get to a local bank,or where you can bank if you have no local branch.