First Direct Change of Debit Card

andy768

Hi,

I received a letter from First Direct telling me they would soon be changing their debit cards from Maestro to Visa Debit (on new issues). As they are part of the HSBC group, does anyone know if HSBC themselves plan to do the same? I think I would prefer a Visa Debit on my HSBC debit card.

Thanks

brookerbabyisababy

yes both banks are changing to visa. I don't know if either of them are changing the design of the debit cards?

brookerbabyisababy

did they send you a specific letter about this or are you referring to the letter they sent about the change of terms and conditions?

andy768

No, not a specific letter, I just noticed it in the letter regarding the changing of the T&C's. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

JPizzle

So did it say from a certain date Visa Debits will become available in these Terms and Conditions? I'd like to know as my card expires soon.

PROLIANT

Hooray! About time too, nice to see a another major bank start issuing its customers with a "proper" debit card. :T

andy768

JPizzle wrote: »

So did it say from a certain date Visa Debits will become available in these Terms and Conditions? I'd like to know as my card expires soon.

It just said towards end of the year, it will be using Visa Debit for new issues, not heard anything from HSBC though.

JPizzle

I asked at HSBC a while ago and they said 4th quarter 2008, I just wondered if First Direct maybe sent them out earlier.

penrhyn

I hope there is some differentiation with the design otherwise I'll be mistaking one card for another.
Mind you my present Maestro card is a bit Hitch-hikers Guide, black letters on a black background!

quinlanmd

I think HSBC are now planning on a 1Q09 start date for phasing in Visa Debit cards.

neilf4321

quinlanmd wrote: »

I think HSBC are now planning on a 1Q09 start date for phasing in Visa Debit cards.

first direct website:
"From January/February 2009, all new debit cards we issue will be Visa debit cards. If you presently have a Maestro (including Solo) debit card, when this is replaced you will be sent a Visa debit card. We may replace your Maestro debit card with a Visa debit card before its expiry date."
http://www.firstdirect.com/legals/nov_terms.shtml

Guardian website:
"First Direct and HSBC will gradually switch all their customers to Visa debit cards, starting in January. The change-over will happen over 16 months, so customers whose cards expire during that time will have them replaced with Visa debit cards automatically"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/nov/02/airlines-sterling-money-back-visa