www.iva.co.uk

hello, ive been trying to change my bank account to natwest for over 2 weeks now so i called them today and they are very busy and processing too many at the mo but not mine and have no idea when it will be done, frustratingly after 6 phone calls i was told i can go into branch to set it up and it will take ten mins (even thought i al;ready had to go into branch with my id!!!), wish i wsas told this 2 weeks ago. anyway so anoyed at this i dont want an account with them now. (sorry moan over lol)

Is nationwide any good for simple current accounts and savings accounts? they have a cash card account or a normal one which ic oudld get but just refuse overdraft and cheque book etc. will i be allowed a visa debit or just a visa electron under an iva?

many thanks R

Hi Nationwide are fine - I have an account with them. They have a good internet service as well. You will still have to go into the branch to give them a copy of your ID though.

I'm with Nationwide now and have had no issues with their basic account. I opened my account after starting my IVA, and find it is good online (but only has cash card ).

I especially like the way you can give accounts nick names and easily set up savings accounts
(I regularly use 2 savings account, 1 for car fuel, and one for car maintenace, as I get travel expenses) so quite often I have to move cash around.

I've used then ever since I ditched HSBC, which I started initially as I went into my IVA (having been with lloyds before), and then found out about their IVA policy (from this very forum)


PBH

We are with Nationwide and very pleased. We went into the branch with ID (passports and Utility bills) and signed up there and then. It takes a few days for you to receive your cash card as they do fraud/moneylaundering checks (but NOT credit checks). Many others on this forum swear by the Co-op bank. We don't miss a debit card as we can use internet banking and we also have a pre-paid debit card.

I've got 2 Co-op Cashminder accounts which are brilliant. I much prefer having the Visa Electron than paying for a pre paid card! I've also got a Nationwide account which would be excellent if they gave you a debit card - not having one is the reason I don't use the account.

great, thanks will sign up with them hopfully this week if i got the simple cash card account would that mean you cant pay for stuff in a shop with it? it is quite ahndy to be able to pay by card and i dont like the idea of the pre paid ones as ive heard they charge you to use them? would i be allowed any sort of normal bank card that io can use in a shop under iva?

we have Smile through co-op and halifax easycash

If you have the basic Flexaccount you only get a cash card, meaning you can only use it to withdraw cash and not pay with the card.

you get an electron card with easycash.. only place I haven't been able to use it was asda petrol

yeah i have heard the co op one recomended but i dont have them on my high street and really want a bank i copuld go into if necesary and to pay money into etc. nationwide one sounds good esp if they can set it up quick (unlike natwest lol) do they ahve any accounts which would allow visa electron for example?

I haven't got a Co-op near me but on the rare occasions I pay money into my account I use the Post Office. If I pay a cheque in on Saturday it's cleared into my account for Wednesday, Thursday at the latest which is better than some banks! The customer service on the phone is excellent as well - I've had better customer service from the Co-op than I ever had from a high street bank.

I don't have a local branch of the co op and this worried me when I first opened my account with them, but as Skip says you can use the post office for anything and the customer service is the best I have ever experienced from a bank.

Good luck