Problem with Debit Card

DM7

I've had a basic Natwest account for years and have been very happy with it. Just before Christmas though they changed the rules for ATMs so I can only put mine in certain ones (can't remember which as I can't get to them anyway).

I'm now planning to change to the Halifax but has anyone heard if they are planning to do the same thing (restrict use) as I'd hate to go to all the trouble of changing and find six months later they did the same thing!

DM

agrinnall

That would be NatWest ATMs (to be fair it'll probably be RBS and Ulster Bank ones too as there's no interchange fee to pay within the group). Given that Lloyds is the other bank that has done this then I'd imagine if it doesn't already apply to Halifax accounts it will do before too long. You really need to weigh up what's important to you: access to all ATMs, bank with a branch local to you, access to your money from Post Offices, etc.

PS Should have said, read this to get an idea of what basic accounts are out there http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

katejo

DM7 wrote: »

I've had a basic Natwest account for years and have been very happy with it. Just before Christmas though they changed the rules for ATMs so I can only put mine in certain ones (can't remember which as I can't get to them anyway).

I'm now planning to change to the Halifax but has anyone heard if they are planning to do the same thing (restrict use) as I'd hate to go to all the trouble of changing and find six months later they did the same thing!

DM

Is the restriction because your bank account is a basic one?

DM7

LOL! Yes Natwest and any showing the RBS symbol, you reminded me. Halifax say any ATM with the LINK logo, which my local Sainsburys has.

What's important to me: Online banking and gettting cash out from my local S'burys or Shell garage.

I guess there's no bank that has said they will never do it, is there?!

DM7

Sorry Katejo. I don't think so.

katejo

I just wondered whether this is a sudden change for most people and I am going to find that some cash machines will not issue any money to me. I am currently with First Direct. I haven't had a problem yet.
This was normal in the earlier days of debit machines. I could only use certain ones including Nat West

DM7

Thanks agrinnall but fortunately I no longer need a basic account although I love not having an overfdraft. I have been accepted for a Halifax reward account but am just hesitating before signing on the line.

agrinnall

DM7 wrote: »

Thanks agrinnall but fortunately I no longer need a basic account although I love not having an overfdraft. I have been accepted for a Halifax reward account but am just hesitating before signing on the line.

That's good, it's very unlikely that any bank will try to restrict use of their full debit cards to their own ATMs so you should be safe enough.

Oh, and as far as I remember Sainsbury's ATMs are provided by HBOS anyway, so access to them ought to be OK even if they did decide to restrict access.

DM7

Thanks, I feel a bit happier now and have read that I can get out of it at any time so what have I to loose?!

DM