New (Basic?) Bank Account - HSBC, NatWest, other?

catflea

Just felt the need to be explicit on that one, in case someone stumbled across it and thought they could make payment later in the day

rb10

catflea wrote: »

NW have always been focused on First Point of Contact resolution of concerns and queries

I agree totally with this - with Natwest it's the first person who you speak to who will follow the problem ('concern', to use their lingo) right through to the end.

The trouble is, with Natwest, you are far more likely to need to raise a 'concern' (in my experience) than with other banks, as they seem to have a habit of making errors.

Tianlong

Gah, if I wasn't so indecisive this would work out better!

NatWest pretty much sell me with the Visa card, as I don't know how I'd survive with HSBC's ATM-only card, and no over-the-counter withdrawls... but HSBC are the bank I'd like to build a relationship with.

I know when I was updating my details with Lloyds TSB one day in branch, they offered me a £1250 overdraft because my account had been in credit for the past 4-5 months and had my wages going into it every month..

If I kept a basic account running well, in credit, etc. - how long do you think it might take before one could apply again for a normal current account, or perhaps be offered an upgrade by the bank themselves?

never-in-doubt

catflea wrote: »

There are no restrictions, although in the past you got a Solo card (instead of a Maestro) with RBS/NWs new relationship with visa you get a FULL AUTH Visa debit (not an electron, or restricted) - the only difference to a "normal" card being that there is no cheque garuntee.

Considering you used to work for them, i'm surprised how wrong you are with this!

Purple Card = Full Authorisation card which is restricted to online terminals. If there is no way to obtain prior authorisation the transaction will fail and decline. This usually occurs on trains, planes and at tesco pay@pumps.

Blue Card = Full card which is the same as the old cheque cards (i.e. Servicecards) that allow offline transactions, usually up to the retailers 'floor limit'. This card is a full function card without the CGC facility.

The above is 100% spot on and that's coming from me that doesn't even bank with NatPest (I just understand the difference between the types of card and I promise you the new full auth visa debit is a fancy version of Electron without the Electron stygma!)

book12

Tianlong wrote: »

Gah, if I wasn't so indecisive this would work out better!

NatWest pretty much sell me with the Visa card, as I don't know how I'd survive with HSBC's ATM-only card, and no over-the-counter withdrawls... but HSBC are the bank I'd like to build a relationship with.

I know when I was updating my details with Lloyds TSB one day in branch, they offered me a £1250 overdraft because my account had been in credit for the past 4-5 months and had my wages going into it every month..

If I kept a basic account running well, in credit, etc. - how long do you think it might take before one could apply again for a normal current account, or perhaps be offered an upgrade by the bank themselves?

It could take 3-6 months.

bev309

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Considering you used to work for them, i'm surprised how wrong you are with this!

Purple Card = Full Authorisation card which is restricted to online terminals. If there is no way to obtain prior authorisation the transaction will fail and decline. This usually occurs on trains, planes and at tesco pay@pumps.

Blue Card = Full card which is the same as the old cheque cards (i.e. Servicecards) that allow offline transactions, usually up to the retailers 'floor limit'. This card is a full function card without the CGC facility.

The above is 100% spot on and that's coming from me that doesn't even bank with NatPest (I just understand the difference between the types of card and I promise you the new full auth visa debit is a fancy version of Electron without the Electron stygma!)

It is the other way around, you get the blue card with step, purple with current+.

davethorp

The new card is also taken in a hell of a lot more places than electron ever was and actually in some cases more than my old solo card (a online gardening store would not for love nor money take my solo card but they do accept the new visa debit despite not taking solo or electron.... same for M&S online)

never-in-doubt

bev309 wrote: »

It is the other way around, you get the blue card with step, purple with current+.

Thanks :beer: - was ranting at the time lol...... as I say, never seen or used one before but know they do two differing cards; one is restricted and one is not.

Can you advise what colour you get if you get the current plus without full card then? ie. some current account customers get offered the basic (full auth) card and not the old servicecard type....

brokeinyorkshire

I have a current plus account.

I hae a blue visa debit card with no guarantee.

I am quite happy with it as i hated the old solo card.

I don't pay at pump when i buy petrol and i pay cash on the rare occasions i catch a train.

Not bothered about the cheque guarantee either as i rarely write cheques.

catflea

never-in-doubt wrote: »

Considering you used to work for them, i'm surprised how wrong you are with this!

Purple Card = Full Authorisation card which is restricted to online terminals. If there is no way to obtain prior authorisation the transaction will fail and decline. This usually occurs on trains, planes and at tesco pay@pumps.

Blue Card = Full card which is the same as the old cheque cards (i.e. Servicecards) that allow offline transactions, usually up to the retailers 'floor limit'. This card is a full function card without the CGC facility.

The above is 100% spot on and that's coming from me that doesn't even bank with NatPest (I just understand the difference between the types of card and I promise you the new full auth visa debit is a fancy version of Electron without the Electron stygma!)

I've had absolutly no problem whatsoever using my Step account card on trains or at tesco pay at pump (both things I do regularly) so I suggest you double check your facts

(as an aside to that, the shell pumps which only used to allow a fill of a tenner on the old solo allow £60 fill from the new card - which is nice!)