www.iva.co.uk

Well after having a chat with Mel I feel a little more at ease with this process (Thanks Mel.

Me and hubby have just completed an online application for a natwest select account so waiting to hear if that has been successful (fingers crossed). Hubby keen on the locality of a branch in our high street in case need to nip down and sort money out as opposed to a bank in the next town.

We have gone for the select account...simple facility...DD/SO, no cheque book and no OD. Hubby likes online and phone banking so can keep track of finances on the go without trip to branch and also the ATM availability (basic account has limited ATM use) I hope we are succcessful in this and can get things transfered over ASAP.

Looks like we are making headway with this new start!

No problem - I was glad to help. I hope you managed to get your new bank account opened soon, as this should be one of the first stages of the process.

Glad it is beginning to piece together......if natwest say no try Halifax, Santander, or Nationwide as they all have basic accounts with dd/so, Internet banking and ATM coverage.....visa electron card.....I have had no issues with ours at all.

Great to hear... this Natwest account - is it similar to the "step" account that they do as I hear this being mentioned from time to time

Step account does not exist anymore. Anyone who had that account (me) was downgraded to a basic account card only which allows you to withdraw from Natwest/RBS and Post Office Counters only which is not very helpful.

Thank god I have now got a proper current account again with Halifax.

thanks for clarifying rayb - so in effect the step was turned in to a basic cash card account which couldnt even be used in store?

Hi,

It is a basic account but can still be used in stores etc. Just a pain when you want to draw out money and are restricted at cashpoints.