NatWest Visa Debit Cards

Michael.Taylor27

Hello Everybody,

Today I received a letter from NatWest communicating the fact that from August all expiring Visa Debit Cards will be replaced by ATM only cards. These cards cannot be used for re-occurring payments or everyday transactions. This now effectively disenfranchises customers from using debit cards to escape credit card attached charges. The only advice offered is to switch regular payments to an alternative current account attached Debit card!

This appears that this is another attempt by NatWest to reduce costs at the expense of customer service. To say that I’m shocked is an understatement. I recently switched from RBS where I had enjoyed many years of excellent service; unless matters improve I will be jumping ship again!

Disgruntled NatWest Customer

alanq

What kind of account do you have? Is it a basic current account?

I cannot imagine the bank completely withdrawing debit cards. It would have almost no current account customers left.

Sparx

Can you clarify, do you have a basic cash account? I seriously doubt they would do this to all full current account customers.

meer53

Think the OP must have misread the letter. Must be a basic account, no bank would completely withdraw debit cards, they'd have no customers left !

madgagoo

I'll look into it. I expect it applies to savings accounts like first reserve, which have traditionally had debit cards on them.

stclair

madgagoo wrote: »

I'll look into it. I expect it applies to savings accounts like first reserve, which have traditionally had debit cards on them.

I think this relates to first reserve customers with a debit card. As you can imagine that accounts was being used as a basic account loophole to access all ATMs.

pmduk

It is the first reserve account, I've had the same letter. I'm not surprised, it's a savings account, not available to new customers and the existence of a debit card always seemed to be an anachronism

System

Will the replacement ATM card only work in RBS group cashpoints then?

I had noticed that the replacement Instant Saver account makes no mention of a debit card and is vague about cashpoint access.

stclair wrote: »

I think this relates to first reserve customers with a debit card. As you can imagine that accounts was being used as a basic account loophole to access all ATMs.

pmduk

As they've not said otherwise, I assume it's a standard debit card for use everywhere.

The letter is headed "Important information about the card on your First Reserve account.", obviously assuming the OP received the same letter I did.

spingoblin

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Will the replacement ATM card only work in RBS group cashpoints then?

I had noticed that the replacement Instant Saver account makes no mention of a debit card and is vague about cashpoint access.

is there any further news on this i have not yet received any letter?

i have had a first reserve account for a few years which has a full online visa debit (blue) card for purchases online and in shops and can be used in ANY atm - obviously if the replacement card is to lose the 'debit card' status for purchasing stuff AND you can only use it in rbs group atm's to withdraw cash then it would become a useless account for me (i have an e-savings with bonus for actually saving)

does is the replacement 'instant saver' account card already have these restrictions?

SkintMamma

Hi, we've had the same letter. It basically says that they are replacing all debit cards linked to a savings account with ATM only cards. It says that the changes are being made "as your savings account is designed to help you build up savings rather than making recurring payments or everyday transactions".

We do use the debit card on this account, so we're going to open another current account before August, when they are going to start replacing the cards.