Banks that offer a cash card with basic bank account - debit cards soon?

book12

According to this website: http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf , almost all basic bank accounts come with a debit card now.

The following banks don't offer a debit card as standard with their basic bank accounts:

• Abbey
• A & L
• HSBC
• Nationwide
• Bank of Ireland
• First Trust Bank

Do you think those banks mentioned above, will offer debit cards with their basic bank accounts as standard in a few years time? Discuss.

As you may know, LTSB and Barclays are the latest banks to introduce debit cards to their basic bank accounts.

sutton111

Abbey now offer an instant plus account, you get a visa electron with that.

Extant

Yes, as a customer service issue they will no doubt eventually offer them. Their roll out is likely to take a while, as it is not as simple as it may seem to just put a different card type on an account.

The "basic account" market is relatively uncompetitive as it is, so I'm sure no bank would willingly set themselves back even further by deliberately not introducing it. Cash cards are of most value for getting cross sales off them - insurance, etc.

One thing I don't see changing, however, is the relatively strict lines some banks take - I don't see more banks flocking to take on bankrupts, for example. Only two banks do this currently.