www.iva.co.uk

I am just looking at new bank accounts before my iva is proposed, can anyone advise on the best ones for me to try, am thinking of co-op cashminder or hsbc

Hi cj

The co op is a great account and many people on the forum have recommended them. I myself an with the co op and have found them fantastic.

Stear clear of hsbc/first direct as they tend to close the accounts of people in ivas as they find out from the insolvency register I believe.

Good luck
Emma

NOT HSBC OR FIRST DIRECT - they close accounts as soon as they know about the IVA even if they are not a creditor - I know as they did it to me!

Co-Op are fab. You won't get a cheque book but you will get an Electron card and online banking.

AS the others have said, no FD /HSBC - I was with them nearly 15 years and when they found out I was in an IVA, they gave me a month to find another account. That's ok - because I reckon there will be more and more people in financial trouble soon, so by getting rid of people like us, that are prepared to face up to our woes, they will actually be the long term losers. I won't go back to them and if and when it's possible, I will move my mortgage as well and sever all ties with them.

Someone posted the other day that HSBC would open a basic account for someone in an IVA. However, I think it is far too early to consider HSBC as having a turnaround on 'policy'. Also with HSBC you do not get a debit card on their basic account.

i was with the halifax who are one of our creditors and have changed to the co-op bank and so far have found them to be brillant!

their online banking is so quick and easy

barb

I opened an account with Lloyds TSB - they did do some sort of credit check (this was whilst setting up the IVA) - and we got a basic account with no overdraft, but the bonus was getting a debit card..there is no cheque book though.
I find there online banking very good too.
k.

I found Nationwide good - I got online banking, a visa debit card and a cheque book (not that its ever been used)- plus recently there was a fault with their ATMs and withdrawals were not deducted from account for 2 months which put me overdrawn. They admitted it was their fault and sent me a luxury hamper for the inconvenience - It fed me for a week!!!

Hi
The Co-op Cashminder account is excellent,you really get everything that you need,an electron card,online banking and the convenience of paying in at the Post Office.
Their customer service is second to none
Regards

I changed to NatWest and found them very helpful. I have online banking, debit card (although I have found one or two retailers who don't accept Solo) and a cheque book.

thanks everyone who replied. i think the co-op may be the one i go with.

Hi
Just make sure that you apply in person or over the phone[not online] and ask for the Cashminder account.
Regards

I have a 1st direct account, everything goes in and out of it. I am early stages of IVA proposals and wondered should I change it having just moved everthing from one of my creditors accounts? was advised by expertfinancial solutions that it should be ok?[?]

I would look to changing the account as First Direct have a policy of giving 30 days notice to close the accounts of people in an IVA.

Thx Skippy

I will do that this week. Nightmare!

Does anyone after a short time start to get some form of savings together? I dread the thought of 5 years with limited flexibility or reduced contingency? I set up a lloyds account a few weeks ago with this in mind, will this be closed too?[:(]