Can I have a Visa Debit with NatWest??

mm79_2 · 26 April 2009 at 7:03PM

Hi, I'm looking to move my current account from my current bank, and would like to join NatWest as I have a couple of ISAs and a savings account with them. However, as I understand it, they only issue Maestro cards which are no good to me as I travel a lot and have experienced problems abroad in the past.

I've heard that they will issue a Visa Debit in certain circumstances - can anyone validate this? If so, what are the criteria?

I've also heard that they are migrating all customers to Visa Debit in the next 3 years - does anyone have any idea when this will start?

Thanks for your help! :beer:

book12 · 26 April 2009 at 7:59PM

Yes, Natwest and RBS (i.e. RBS Group) will be migrating to VISA starting in 2009 onwards. 2011 everyone will have one according to Wikipedia. There is a news article about it too: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122160215431345041.html

For the time being, you can't have a VISA debit card. It's either Solo or Maestro. You could either open a First Reserve, Step Account, or Current Plus for transferring money to and from the ISA though, if you want a Natwest base account.

Don't move your current bank to Natwest for the time being. Just stick with your current bank. If your current bank has a VISA debit card, stick with it.

kev1980_2 · 26 April 2009 at 8:13PM

So, would that mean that customers using either Natwest or RBS basic key account would be issued with a Visa Electron Card and customers with Maestro will get a full Visa Debit?

book12 · 26 April 2009 at 8:27PM

kev1980 wrote: »

So, would that mean that customers using either Natwest or RBS basic key account would be issued with a Visa Electron Card and customers with Maestro will get a full Visa Debit?

Not sure. Anyway, (just like you) I am hoping that the Natwest/RBS basic bank accounts would be offered VISA debit cards just like Barclays and LTSB. Even though if they don't do this, there's always Barclays and LTSB, which are good banks.

We will know the answer to this in the future. It's almost halfway through 2009, and no sign of this happening. I know some people on here still get Solo/Maestro debit cards. Actually, I will ask a branch staff about this or phone them.

rb10 · 26 April 2009 at 9:05PM

mm79 wrote: »

Hi, I'm looking to move my current account from my current bank, and would like to join NatWest as I have a couple of ISAs and a savings account with them. However, as I understand it, they only issue Maestro cards which are no good to me as I travel a lot and have experienced problems abroad in the past.

I've heard that they will issue a Visa Debit in certain circumstances - can anyone validate this? If so, what are the criteria?

I've also heard that they are migrating all customers to Visa Debit in the next 3 years - does anyone have any idea when this will start?

Thanks for your help! :beer:

You can get Visa Debit from Halifax, and they pay you £5 after tax each month too. In my experience, they are a good bank to be with, and have good internet banking.

456789 · 26 April 2009 at 9:05PM

The fact that RBS is moving to Visa is confirmed - but it has been mentioned on here before that NatWest won't be switching (I can't see why they wouldn't want too) - so their are some conflicting reports - hopefully they will switch too

kev1980_2 · 26 April 2009 at 9:21PM

book12 wrote: »

Not sure. Anyway, (just like you) I am hoping that the Natwest/RBS basic bank accounts would be offered VISA debit cards just like Barclays and LTSB. Even though if they don't do this, there's always Barclays and LTSB, which are good banks.

We will know the answer to this in the future. It's almost halfway through 2009, and no sign of this happening. I know some people on here still get Solo/Maestro debit cards. Actually, I will ask a branch staff about this or phone them.

I called the telephone banking service to ask about this tonight and the advisor never knew anything about it, she directed me to my local branch. I'm going in tomorrow afternoon so will report back any information i get.

I have the basic Key Account with RBS and it would be good to get the Visa Debit Card like Barclays and LTSB... Fingers Crossed

book12 · 26 April 2009 at 9:31PM

456789 wrote: »

The fact that RBS is moving to Visa is confirmed - but it has been mentioned on here before that NatWest won't be switching (I can't see why they wouldn't want too) - so their are some conflicting reports - hopefully they will switch too

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Debit - 'Market Competition's ection), it says that Natwest is also switching to VISA debit as well as RBS retail brands, like Ulster Bank and Coutts.

Wikipedia usually tells the truth.

savagej · 27 April 2009 at 10:45AM

I am sure Natwest is moving as even their US bank Citizen Bank (I think it is called) it also moving over to Visa Debit.

456789 · 27 April 2009 at 7:33PM

book12 wrote: »

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Debit - 'Market Competition's ection), it says that Natwest is also switching to VISA debit as well as RBS retail brands, like Ulster Bank and Coutts.

Wikipedia usually tells the truth.

Yes I have read that too - however in the past some people have posted here saying only RBS will change - I am not disagreeing with you just pointing out that their is some confusion over the matter based on what has been posted here

and remember wikipedia may be right often but anyone can edit it