Santander basic bank account help

preables

I have opened a basic Santander bank and have reduced 2 cards one is a debit card and one says basic cash card.

do I give my employer and the relevant benefit agency’s the account number and sort code on the cash card or debit?

I assume it’s the cash card then I have to send it over to the other card to withdraw it? Why do they do this and not all on one card like most?

eskbanker

If there are two different account numbers then that would suggest two different accounts, so if you were only expecting to open one then it would be worth contacting Santander and asking them what's happened....

preables

No the account comes with 2 cards it says one is for wages and benefits and to make direct debits and the card you transfer too you withdraw from a machine and use online and in shops.

all very confusing

eskbanker

preables said:

No the account comes with 2 cards it says one is for wages and benefits and to make direct debits and the card you transfer too you withdraw from a machine and use online and in shops.

all very confusing

But they shouldn't have two different sort codes and account numbers?

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/basic-current-account seems to clarify how they're supposed to be used:

You'll receive 2 bank cards

Unlike other current accounts that offer a single contactless debit card, the Basic Current Account comes with two cards, a cash card and a top-up debit card. You’ll need to use both cards to fully use the Basic Current Account and manage your money.

Your cash card can only be used to withdraw money from a cash machine or Santander branch as long as you have enough money in your account. It can’t be used in shops or online. You’ll also find your bank account details on it so that you can use them to set up Direct Debits, standing orders, faster payments, international payments and benefit payments. 

Your top-up debit card can be used in shops or online. Like the cash card, this card can also be used to withdraw cash from a cash machine or Santander Branch. Unlike other debit cards it isn’t contactless, and you can only spend on the card once you’ve put money on it from your account on the card.

Daliah

The purpose of the two cards is explained quite well on their website - seems the accounts details are printed on the cash card. You can also see your sort code and account number in online banking or in the app.

PRAISETHESUN

When I held a Santander basic account (a few years ago at this point) I recall giving the details of the cash card to my employer to receive my salary. I would then transfer any spending money onto the top up debit card to do shopping, etc. I agree that having two cards unnecessarily complicates things, so I was more than happy to switch to another bank once I became eligible for a proper current account elsewhere.

born_again

You give your employer the Sort code - Account number. Which is only on the cash card.

The rest of the time you just need to carry the Top Up Debit Card. Which so long as you have funds in your account will let you get cash @ ATM and shop either online or in a high street shop. But not using contactless facility.

spingoblin

I had this account a couple of years ago. I expected the top-up card (attached to the basic bank account) to be like a prepaid card with just the 16 digit number, but no it was like another bank account with its own sort code and account number but without direct debit/standing order capability and salary/benefits were not allowed to be directly loaded onto it from your employer or benefits agency. As far as my credit report was concerned I had two accounts not one. I think Santander should have ditched the extra sort code/acc no and just had it as a prepaid card. Also I see no reason the top-up card cannot be contactless just like most other prepaid cards these days.

[Deleted User]

spingoblin said:

I had this account a couple of years ago. I expected the top-up card (attached to the basic bank account) to be like a prepaid card with just the 16 digit number, but no it was like another bank account with its own sort code and account number but without direct debit/standing order capability and salary/benefits were not allowed to be directly loaded onto it from your employer or benefits agency. As far as my credit report was concerned I had two accounts not one. I think Santander should have ditched the extra sort code/acc no and just had it as a prepaid card. Also I see no reason the top-up card cannot be contactless just like most other prepaid cards these days.

Call me cynical but why would you want to offer a competitive product that operates at a loss? They are providing the bare minimum that avoids regulator attention and encouraging their basic customers off that product too.