Application for debit card

miskin_2

I was wondering if anyone could give my any advice in obtaining a debit card.

I bank with Nationwide and have done so since I was 15/16, at least 4 years ago anyway. When I turned 18 (Oct 2007) my account type changed to a current account and so I was given a cheque book and overdraft but no debit card. In Dec 2008 I applied to them for a debit card and they told me this would involve changing my account as I have had it since I was under 18, and would basically be like opening a new account. My application failed.

A few months later (April 2009) I applied for a student account with Halifax - my main aim was just to get a debit card but I chose Halifax because of their large student overdraft and I had been told they are less cautious than Nationwide. My application again failed and they were unable to tell me why.

By this point alarm bells begin to ring so I decide to check my credit rating out. This was the first time I thought something could be wrong, as I had started a pay monthly contract with Vodafone in Feb 2009 so I assumed my credit rating was ok.

In July 2009 Experian advised me to get on the electoral register as there was nothing else going against my credit score. I did so and was on the register for September 2009. In October I applied AGAIN for a debit card, perhaps foolishly with Nationwide again, and was again rejected. They said it was because of the credit crunch and that I am a student.

I'm now wondering what my next step should be. Obviously I want to obtain a debit card as it is a huge inconvenience to me, but I don't want to harm my credit rating - which is apparently fine - so I have been careful to leave gaps between my applications. Should I wait another few months then try a different bank? If so which bank? Or should I look into getting a credit card to try and build my credit?

Any advise will be appreciated!

never-in-doubt

Open a basic account and Barclays, Co-Op, Lloyds, RBS, Natwest etc to get a Visa debit card - you won't get any opverdraft/cheque book but if it means you transfer money from NW over to the new account to allow spending on debit card, then do that! Or just tell NW to get lost!

miskin_2

Thanks!

Say for example I choose Natwest, do you think I should try for a student account with overdraft etc, or just a basic current account with no overdraft or cheque book?

never-in-doubt

miskin wrote: »

Thanks!

Say for example I choose Natwest, do you think I should try for a student account with overdraft etc, or just a basic current account with no overdraft or cheque book?

Hiya

with natwest they will tell you there and then what you can have so worth applying for the student account first and then if they decline they may offer a key account. I'd deffo ring them and go for the account you want, they score as you go along as well which means before you even click submit at the end they will tell you what you can apply for, i.e. credit card and debit card/chq book/overdraft etc....

If nothing, they will say you can have a key/step (basic) account.