Unable to get a bank account

[iva100]

I find it unbelievable that being in an IVA can be so restrictive.

I have applied to halifax and co-op for the basic account, no credit facility whatsoever and been refused.

It is hard to believe that an 11 year old is able to open one of these accounts but just because your in an iva you can't.

I think its about time that some banks opened their eyes and start to understand that if your 11 years old with no income and can have one of these accounts surely a person in an iva can too.

Has anyone had similar problems and know of any bank which accepts people in an iva ?

[wickerwish]

yorkshire bank do and co op cashminder account usually

[Skippy]

I'm surprised that you were rejected by the Co-op - are you on the electoral register? Did you apply for the Cashminder - you can only do this on the phone or in a branch?

I don't know who your creditors are, but Abbey and Natwest might be worth a try.

[kallis3]

You should be able to open a cashminder account with the Co-op -they are very IVA friendly.

You could try Yorkshire Bank.

Otherwise there is Thinkbanking or Clearcash where you are guaranteed acceptance but you do have to pay a monthly fee.

[Jan01]

If still having problems try Think Bank, there is a set up charge and monthly fee. They have been very good and helpful and you get a Maestro card that is not as flexible as a visa debit card but I haven't had any problems using mine.

Jan

[kallis3]

Clearcash is cheaper per month than Thinkbanking.

[Skippy]

I keep reading that Maestro isn't as widely accepted as Visa debit, but isn't Maestro the same as the old Switch? I never had any problems with that anywhere.

[kallis3]

I think it is -I'm sure my switch card was a Maestro card.

[merrypotter]

Hi I have recently been accepted for the cashminder account with co-op this is a visa debit i would query it .

[kallis3]

It could be as Skippy says - if you are not on the electoral roll, that might explain why you were turned down.

[rhondda]

co-op are usually very IVA friendly,did u apply for cashminder or the full current account

[soph1976]

hi i have managed to open a barclays account this week, it has a visa debit card and can have my direct debits going in and out, no overdraft but they were so nice and basically give anyone an account as they dont do a full credit check

[soph1976]

oh i am NOT on the electoral role at current prpoerty

[iva100]

GOOD NEWS

Today received my co-op VISA DEBIT CARD !

YES VISA DEBIT CARD !!!!!!!!

Apparently all cards issued are now visa debit as they are no longer using visa electron according to the leaflet enclosed.

[lilmc]

I'm sure this has been covered on here recently, even though they say it's a visa debit, the card number still registers as electron when payments are made, although I might be wrong, pregnancy hormones are playing up recently........