Lloyd's TSB: Under 19's - Electron or not?

Ravane

Cypher wrote:

I opened one of these accounts for my 16 year old son last week mainly so he could open a Monthly Saver. I was surprised but he has just recieved a VISA Debit card. He's a student with no income as well

Could I ask if this was his first bank account? It will be my first account so I'm wondering if maybe I need past history with another bank or maybe a family member who banks with them to get the Visa and not the Visa Electron.

I won't actually be able to open the account properly until Monday when I can get a custom letter from my school proving that I'm a student there and verifying my address. I already showed them one, but they refused to accept it because it doesn't include my two middle names (which I never use anyway), just my first and last. To be honest, the service I've had from them so far has been pretty crappy, and it's only the thought of not having to put up with an electron that's keeping me interested in them at all. Then again, the bad service is just a reflection on my local branch and not the bank as a whole, I guess.

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Cypher

Yes it was his first account, Ravane.

We did have similar problems with proof of ID. My son took his passport birth certificate even his student card with his picture on but they wanted something official with his address on like a utility bill. He's 16 and hasn't got anything. In the end as I also had an old TSB current account they said they would except him provided I signed a referal document which I did. They then refused me as I hadn't used the account in years. I had to go home for my driving licence to prove who I was

My first impressions of Lloyds TSB hasn't been too good either. They really don't seem to know whats going on. I had to explain to the guy in the branch how the accounts worked as he wasn't letting me get the £750 in quickly saying £500 + 1 month later for the first £250. I also had to remind him to set up the R86 gross interest and also to set up the standing orders. I had problems with the telephone banking trying to get through to the branch to even talk to the guy who was sorting things out. The telephone people wouldn't transfer me and said they could sort me out.

On my accounts (I also opened a monthly saver) they managed to open two sperate monthly savers in my name, I had opened mine via the telephone and it never opened so I went into the branch to sort it out and they told me to ring the telephone line, I did this again and they re did the application 2 days later I ended up with both accounts opening.

Not the best of starts, its a good job its the account that selling them and not the level of service.

Kilty_2

Hmmm....... not sure about whether to open this account or not now.

I currently hold two accounts with Bank of Scotland and am extremely happy with the service I recieve, apart from the dreaded Electron card. (Which, truthfully, I have only had a couple of problems with since recieving it). Would only be moving one account if I actually moved either over and the only reason I'd be doing so is for the Visa Debit card (interest rate isn't important as I have another account for savings).

Hmm...

hilstep2000

My daughter had this account at 16, and changed it to an adult one when she was 18. Just about to open one for my 16 year old son. I've been with Lloyds for 30 years, and I'm very happy with them. I earned £79 interest on my current account last year!

waddy80

Just thought i would clear something up re Lloyds u19 acc's and debit cards.I work for LTSB (this is not an offical comment).

LTSB do not do electron cards. They used to but do not any more.There are three main types of cards:

Cashpoint cards

2 in 1 control cards - these are full function debit cards with cashpoint and point of sale (shops etc) function. The control action should check your balance is available, however there is allowed amount (not sure how much) that it will allow to go through if it is not possible to check the balance using vendors system. This is the one that is for over 16's who have an under 19's account. It is also the card that is issued on student accounts.

3 in 1 debit card - Normal debit and cashpoint function with cheque guarantee.

There are variations on the 3 in 1 but that's basically it. The 3 in 1 card is judged to be a form of lending and I would be very suprised if anyone uder 18 gets one of these. But really there isn't much difference. Unless you are desperate for cheques.