We need a basic bank account

[kallis3]

There are one or two posters who have managed to stay with HSBC, but they are few and far between.

Yorkshire Bank are also recommended on here.

[janjan]

When I needed to change bank account at beginning of IVA I applied online to Abbey and was successful. I was given the Family Rewards account. I pay £15 a month and have Green Flag cover, travel insurance and you get discount in various places. Abbey have now been taken over from Santander but you could give them a try.

It used to be a Building Society but is now treated as a bank.

[kallis3]

If you are going to pay for a bank account, then there are cheaper accounts than Abbey.

I doubt if you would get that account whilst in an IVA.

Personally, regardless of any extras you may get, I would not pay for an account if I could get banking for free elsewhere.

[johnB]

Hi,

Think Co-op are one of your creditors? Otherwise they would be an obvious choice.

I have a friend with Yorkshire Bank and he is in an IVA, he has had no problems and has a Maestro debit card. I also know people with Nationwide and they have poor credit and they had no problems, (Correction - one problem was they couldn't get a decent debit card on cash machine card).

Otherwise Natwest Step account, but definately not HSBC/First Direct.

[Shining]

I hope you find yourself that basic account do let us know who you finally chose to go with won't you? x

[kallis3]

Nationwide are now in the process of upgrading the cards on the basic account so they will be debit cards soon.

[Sandi.wd]

Nothing has worked I have checked our record with all the major credit agencies and they all correctly have us registered as having a IVA but according to the bank when they check our records we are bankrupt this has made it impossible to get a bank account, I don't know if the banks are making it more difficult to get an account or if the bank buy outs over the last few years have put just a few of the big banks in charge of everything!!!

[kallis3]

Sorry you are having problems with the bank. I get so annoyed when banks treat us like lepers when we only want a basic bank account.

You would be fine with Thinkbanking, it will be run seperately from RBS. You could also try Secure Trust who are independent but also charge. You would be guaranteed acceptance with both.

[Jan01]

We had the same problem with NatWest treating our IVA as BR when we tried to open an account. I am with Think Banking and have found the service good. Yes there is a £12.50 charge each month but there is no bank changes and they do manage your money transfering money form each account, with Think you have a salaries account which pays all the bills and what is left over is paid into your card account. The account has a debit card and the only place I can't use it is CO-OP cash machines. The staff I have spoken to have always been helpful, there is also online banking and text balance service. You are guarenteed to be accepted as they only need proof of idenity and do not do a credit check.

Jan

[deb.ml]

Hi Sandi,
I'm sure after all the posts, you have tried all the banks and building societies. As I said I had no problems getting a Natwest Step account. Their debit cards are now visa (used to be solo), so easy to use online. Have you tried going in branch. They couldn't have been nicer and set it up there and then. No charges for account and I just tansferred my direct debits.
Hope you have some luck with this. People in IVAs should not have to pay for banking.

[kallis3]

I do agree that we shouldn't have to and I wouldn't do it out of choice.

Some people can't get a free account though, so it's a case of the best of rest I think.

[deb.ml]

Jan,
Love what comes up at bottom of your post. So true!!!!

[kallis3]

I've just emailed you deb.

[stewpots]

We had the same problem with NatWest treating our IVA as BR when we tried to open an account. I am with Think Banking and have found the service good. Yes there is a £12.50 charge each month but there is no bank changes and they do manage your money transfering money form each account, with Think you have a salaries account which pays all the bills and what is left over is paid into your card account. The account has a debit card and the only place I can't use it is CO-OP cash machines. The staff I have spoken to have always been helpful, there is also online banking and text balance service. You are guarenteed to be accepted as they only need proof of idenity and do not do a credit check.

Jan

I had 3 visits to Natwest the first I spelt out I was in IVA and First Direct were closing my account after 19yrs with them.

The said fine bring in IVA details etc

Last visit was in their office and ‘computer said know’

I applied on line and it came up as Bankrupt which I am not !

If Nationwide turn me down looks like above is my only option.

I assume they bank regulated etc

I don’t care if I have to pay for a account (most will be like that soon anyway)

[kallis3]

Hi stewpots,

Yes, they are regulated so your money will be safe. Have a look at Secure Trust and Thinkbanking. Might be an idea for now until you can get a proper account.