Longest week and it hasnt even started yet !

[acorn]

Hi all.
Havent been on this much but this has to be the longest week of my life and it hasnt even started ..
I first approached ClearStart about an Iva just over a month ago.
I then applied to the Halifax for a basic bank account.
Im having to move at the same time !
The crap has been getting a bank account, due to the postal strike its taken two weeks to get forms back to ClearStart and the Halifax..
Everyday I went into my local branch to be told that the application is still pending..today was told its looking good but hopefully approved. All the I.D has been authorised.
I applied to Nat West last week as an interimn , sort of like a back. But was turned down as on the app form it ask for any other bank accounts. Of course one with Lloyds but that will be frozen very soon. They wanted statements and said no. I explained that I need a basic account as Im trying to set up a IVA. They were not helpful, more interested at the beginning of trying to sell me a hugh profile account until they knew the real reason. ive made a formal complaint to the branch and with Financial Ombudsmen..
The waiting for the Halifax account is tearing me aprt as I need to get my salary paid somewhere.
Today got the date for my meeting on the 15th November.
Also moving as well..
It all happens at the same time..
Got an appointment at local Nationwide about setting up a basic bank account as they were short staffed so I made an appointment. But after this cant apply anymore.
Its just crap

[BrassicLintus]

Hi Brian, it certainly sounds as if you have your hands full!!! Just a suggestion, but have you tried Think Banking? They don't do any credit checks and will accept anyone (even an undischarged bankrupt like me!!!) and you can apply over the phone. It takes around 10 days to get your account fully up and running (but you do get your account number and sort code pretty quickly which will enable you to get your salary sorted), and it costs £12.50 a month. But it may be a helpful stopgap while you sort out a more permanent bank account. Good luck with your move and your meeting on the 15th!

[Skippy]

Have you tried Abbey or the Co-op? They are both sympathetic to people in IVAs.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present - a gift to make the most of.

View my blog at http://skippy13.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[johnz]

Abbey were great with me. They've been having some problems with their new computer system, but they should be cool now. I had my account an hour after walking in the door. But phone to make an appointment first.

Good luck.

Johnz

[acorn]

I went into Nationwide today to apply for bank account face to face and to be honest.. not in my local branch, short staffed. Going to another branch at 9.30 tomorrow morning.
Phoned Abbey but not my local branch the number I dialled took me to Liverpool Call centre who then phoned them.. again honest on the phone that I need a basic account as Im in the process of organising an IVA.. he thought I wanted to organise an IVA with them, honestly. He assumed after I asked him that Im going for Bankruptcy They can see me on wednesday.
Im not impressed and options running out.

[aguise]

Brian as brassic suggested have you considered thinkbanking you wont have a problem and will have your account number straight away over the phone, it doesnt matter who your creditors are with them they will accept all, I have the account and am happy with it no problems.

Ang

Please visit my blog at http://aguise.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[acorn]

Yes ThinkBanking is am alternative.. but when I did a search on google there a very mixed response to it..Your salary is paid in then its split into three ways..and there are fees to pay. You cant bank online ... but you have to inform the money manager ... it looks more complex than it is ?

[aguise]

I have not found any problems. your income goes into your A account, this is where you would set all your debits up. When you are paid they hold back sufficient funds for your debits etc for the month and then transfer the rest to your B account. What is in there is yours. The money manager is just a phone call to the bank to make any changes or queries, customer services. Yes ther is a charge but a lot of bank accounts are charging now and you do get a maestro card which if you were going to have a prepaid can work out the same. Balances are easy to get just a text and they send you one straight back the balance. Actually makes managing your money easier as you always know what you have to spend as the bill money is held immediately in the A account. You can ring them and they will explain any queries you may have. Cant be complicated or I would be in a mess.

Ang

Please visit my blog at http://aguise.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[acorn]

Hopefully will get something from Halifax as it sounded confident on the phone.. Im looking at alternatives incase IVA doesnt get accepted and I then go down bankruptcy route ? Looking at Basic bank accounts dont all look easy if after bankruptcy and you owed Barclaycard, Co Op, lloyds TSB.. not many banks left ! So lets see if Halifax comes through which I hope it will otherwise I think ThinkBank will be my last resort if I then have no alternative to IVA ?

[iva.com]

Hi Brian.

I just want to wish you luck for your creditors meeting on 15th Nov. Also with Halifax and the move.

Kind regards,
Terry Balfour
IVA.com

IVA.com - The IVA Comparison Site
100s of reviews, All IPs and IVA firms rated.

Use our IVA firm comparison tool to find best IVA firm for you:
http://www.iva.com/iva_comparison_1.asp

[whichwaynow]

I just called my local branch of Nationwide. Told them I was in a IVA and could I open a basic account. As long as I did not want a overdraft or CC then yes I could open a account as they do not need to credit check me.

[ray_a]

I met someone this morning who has never been in credit at all!

Went to open a normal bank account on the basis of being self employed and was refused!

With my experience I suggested a number of further options including cash plus mastercard, she has decided to go down that route and has decided to stay with her existing line as she does not feel she can take on the responsibility of having a credit card!

[acorn]

Hello
Bit of a result today.
I went into Nationwide ( made an appointment )
Explained I needed a basic bank account and was honest about that Im in the process of an Iva ( though no meeting yet, or finalised ), but noticed that now on application forms there is a section asking if you are bankrupt or have an IVA.
She was very sympthetic. Pleased that I was honest.
I explained that I do have a bank account with Lloyds but its going to get frozen soon as they get a sniff of whats happening. Its one of the question on the application form.
She suggested we go through the application there and then and see whats happens at the end.
Well it was accepted!! Got an account number and sort code, so will start on that.
Still waiting from Halifax ( 1 month ) they have a backlog, its all postal and the strikes screwed it up, an the operator y'day I spoke to said it all looked fine from his end and was going to try and speed it up.
If it does come I will keep it open but not used, if I have to go through the bankruptcy stage as I still need an account, incase they freeze the Nationwide one and I wont tell them about the Halifax one. As its basic they may keep it open, but thats looking ahead, if the worse comes to the worse..
To be honest I would rather have the halifax as its slightly more flexiable in that I can use the cash card for online purchase or pay for stuff in the shop. But hey, its not important with the Nationwide getting the cash out first is a good step and learning curve in back to basic budgeting and having the monies ready.
Thanks for all your suggestions. And kind messages, but its not easy to set up something like a bank account as the original scheme from the government was promoting.. Nat West was just horrid and embarrasing, when you apply with them the app form is generic regarding the account and if I was older or unsure it would be hard and of course I told them I had an account elsewhere. That did it as they wanted statements and they saw my track record and said no, even though I explained I needed one for an IVA.

[louisa.s]

It does astonish me that banks will credit check you for wanting to open a basic bank account with only a cash card and no credit facilities. Quite laughable really if it wasn't so irritating for everyone desperate to open a basic bank account so that they can get on with their lives.

Lou

[CoverItAll]

Hi Brian

I recently attended a meeting with the Directors of Payment Card Solutions (UK) Ltd. This is the Company that has set up the "Bread" Prepaid Maestro Card that had such a good write up by Which. (No monthly chrge) We have negotiated to be able to subsidise the issue of this Card to our Clients, and are presently working on how to offer it entirely free of up front charge.

Watch this space !

Now to this posting. You can arrange for your salary to be paid directly to this card, and pay regular Standing Orders from it. It is issued by Newcastle Building Socciety.

John Tegg
www.asu4iva.co.uk
0845 673 9999

We will make all your IVA payments for you if Accident or Sickness stops you paying them yourself.