Denied online bank with Barclays because of IVA!

Razzle36

Haven't been back here for a while, lots of stuff to sort (as always!)

alastairq - I have an IVA, not a bankruptcy and the bank account with Barclays was a full VISA debit not electron as the account was opened with my mortgage before my IVA.

Also, an IVA doesn't fail after 1 missed payment - it's after 3. I missed one when Co-op cancelled all my direct debits without telling me and was panicking but all was ok.

Razzle36

After 3 trips to a Barclays branch and multiple calls to the call centre (the longest being an hour!) I finally got the number of the Legal Notices Team who informed me that the reason people with an IVA or Bankrupcy are not allowed online banking is because we would be able to apply for other products we wouldn't be eligible for (i.e. an overdraft or credit card).
It's Barclay's policy, there's nothing anyone can do to change it (they can't put a bar on certain customer's ability to apply for credit) I honestly tried everything.

The same also applies to telephone banking btw (I was told mine would shortly be cancelled but so far hasn't happened)

So I decided to take a day off work and go round the banks looking for another account. First off was Lloyds, I phoned the call centre and explained everything about IVA and that I would need a basic account but with all facilities including direct debits, standing orders and online banking. They said this was all fine and made me an appointment with what turned out to be the rudest women in the world! She was absolutely vile, treated me like something she stepped in earlier and said "I don't know why you're here because Lloyds don't offer a bank account to people who are bankrupt" I actually wanted to punch the ignorant cow. I'm currently lodging a complaint against her.

Anyway, HSBC were very nice and helpful but had unfortunately run out of forms for the basic account.

Next was Abbey, where I was treated with respect and excellent service and they opened 2 accounts for me! Both accounts will be on the online banking screen, only one account you get a card with and the other is for bills, so whatever you have on the card is what you have to spend for the month. It's a great system (optional of course) and I'm now eagerly awaiting my card in the post

So basically, barclays and lloyds (owned by us, the taxpayer, and effectively bankrupt themselves...) BAAAAAAADDD

Abbey and HSBC GOOOODD

sorry for the essay

DMPDarling

Barclays removed my access to online banking when I told them I was entering into a debt management plan. I was lost without it, but now I'm with Co-op and even though there is no branch local to me I can do everything I need through the post office or online.