Why can't I get a Cheque book?

JacksterD

coolesticeking wrote: »

The only bank that I know of so far that will give you a chequebook straight away as long as you qualify for the Current Plus or Advantage Gold account is NatWest - BUT, unless you have got quite a good credit score they will give you the Blue Visa Debit Card (Full Auth) to start will and then it's up to your internal score if they will upgrade this later on.

My experience with the Co-Operative would suggest they also give pretty much anyone a chequebook - I opened a current account with them when I was 17 and got a chequebook through the post along with an online only Visa Debit.

DCFC79

Cheques are being fased out anyway

WhiteHorse

Cheque books are effectively credit - you can write cheques even though you have no money. Thus, the bank will want to be sure that you are trustworthy.

The other reason is more devious - they are trying to phase cheques out.

iereboy

Its nothing devious and its nothing to do regarding phasing out the cheque books.

Some people just do not qualify in their eyes due to a poor credit history mainly and occasionally due to fraud, but that is rare.

Cheque books are a form of credit.

Another reason is people abusing them. Writing cheques and reporting them as lost/stolen cause they know they haven't the got money to cover the cheque. Those people get a "ban" as well.

Venusflytrap

coolesticeking wrote: »

you have the Offline Debit card.

Just curious: what is an offline debit card?

jen245

Venusflytrap wrote: »

Just curious: what is an offline debit card?

It's a card that doesn't require immediate electronic authorisation from the bank at the point of transaction, for example at pay at pump in petrol stations, or on planes/trains. Most full current accounts come with an offline card, basic accounts come with an online card. If you have a cheque guarantee card, you have an offline card

Venusflytrap

jen245 wrote: »

It's a card that doesn't require immediate electronic authorisation from the bank at the point of transaction, for example at pay at pump in petrol stations, or on planes/trains.

Ah, get you - thanks!

Most full current accounts come with an offline card

Same for credit cards?

jen245

Credit cards are all offline cards

PaulW922

jen245 wrote: »

Credit cards are all offline cards

Just to clarify if I may;

An online card must always have the transaction authorised - so you may not be able to use on one a train for example - it will be declined.

An offline card can be used without pre-authorisation up to a set amount depending on the retailer, but most transactions are still authorised at the time.


Finally, the other reason banks do not give everyone cheque books (even if they do not have guarantee cards) is that cheques are an expensive payment system for banks to process (compared to cards) and some current accounts, including most basic accounts, do not generate much, or any profit. Many cost money to run. So it is as much policy as anything else.

MichaelCR

Plxply wrote: »

I believe only a cheque guarantee card needs credit scoring, although I may be wrong.

Think its done on there internal scoring system, I.e if you've had an account with them for a year, And have never had any missed DD's or problems, And have paid in a good amount each month then you should be eligible for one, However if you have had an account for a year and have missed DD's etc then they will probably not give you one.