thinkbanking and Freeman Jones?

[Saoirse]

I have just joined Think Banking as I am just starting the process for an IVA with Freeman Jones, thank you all for your posts which make excellent reading and fill me with confidence that I have chosen the right people.

[kallis3]

I would seriously think about joining a free bank - try the Co-op as they come highly recommended and you won't have to pay a monthly fee.

[etheridge]

Hi.

I would stay away from co-op.
Customer service is amazing, but they do not have real time banking.

So if you use you debit card in Tesco for example it will take over a week to come out of your account.

Online banking does not show this until the money comes out.

You have to keep calling customer services and asking them what is coming out on your debit card and then deduct that from your online banking balance.

Right now I have £99 WAITING to come out of my account from my debit card, its been WAITING to come out for nearly 2 weeks.

However if you use the cashpoint this will come out of your account straight away.

Oh also if I ask customer services what the £99 is waiting to come out, they say they don't know until it is fully debited.

I would go with Think banking, it costs but zero hassle.

The only bad point is that their customer services is on a 0845 number. Booo!

[Judo]

I agree that the Co-op online banking is not the most up to date and I found that out nearly to my detriment! It is a downside but now that I am used to it I can factor it in!
I do agree that their customer service is very good!

[kallis3]

Co-op are highly recommended and as long as you keep a note of what you have spent there won't be any problems.

Nationwide, Natwest step account and Barclays basic are good as well.

As long as you can get free banking then go for it - I couldn't justify the expense unless I wasn't able to get another account elsewhere.

[nepensioner]

I bank with Yorkshire Bank, went shopping to Morrisons this morning and by the time I got home, the money was out of my account. Cannot fault their customer service either.

[kazzafunk]

I bank with the co-op and have no problems. I used the card in Tescos and it showed up 3 days later on-line. Maybe I was lucky!! I just keep a book for all my expenditure so I know what is in the account at any one time.

[Skippy]

I would only recommend a managed account as a last resort - they are expensive and don't really teach budgeting as it's all done for you. I had an account with Think Banking and the customer service was appalling, so hopefully it's improved now!

I had a Co-op account and I made sure I entered the details on a spreadsheet every time I used the card so I never went overdrawn.

[beresford]

Hi I have been with Thinbanking since I entered IVA years ago. Personally, I am very satisfied with Thinkbanking and their service has only improved as the years go on. I now have a Mastercard debit card with them. Management fee is probably a little steep. Thinkbanking were recommended to me shortly after I set up IVA, when no other bank would touch me. I'll be happy to continue banking with Think when IVA finishes in a few months time.

[kallis3]

Glad you have found them ok but I would still only recommend a paid for account as a last resort while there are still free ones about.

Surprised you couldn't get an account with the Co-op though unless they were one of your creditors.

[etheridge]

Hi.

Slightly off topic, what other banks are good for us IVA'ers?

I know it's very limited!!

Thanks
Jason.

[kallis3]

Natwest Step account, Barclays Basic account, Co-op cashminder, Yorkshire Building Society I believe.

[Shining]

I personally rate the Natwest, I have their account and even though it's a basic account I feel more valued in their branch than I ever did with my previous bank. x

[Judo]

I have the Natwest Step account and the Co-op Cashminder and both are brilliant!

[Skippy]

I was with Natwest pre-IVA/BR and I was really sorry to change from them as I really rated them.