Citibank - recommended current account, financial links?

hillbilly5

Hi,
We are just starting a dmp with cccs and are very happy with the help we've been given.
However, because of our debts being spread across several creditors when we had to open a new account we have been left with few options. We have plumped to return to Lloyds TSB who we had a dormant current account with. Trouble is we only have a cash card that you can use in a Lloyds TSB cash machine only and we live in village which means a special trip to the town to get any money out. (I had thought that we would be able to withdraw from our village post office but we can;t). Seems like we can't get a basic bank account from anywhere that offers a debit card either which would make life easier too.
Somewhere on this site I read a posting that Citibank usually offer their Access Current Account to more or less anyone and that they usually offer a debit card. (There are no worries about overdrafts or anything as we don't intend getting into debt again and our current account was never inthe red anyway, it was just the mounting credit card repayments that stuffed us.)
All I want to know is, does Citibank have any financial links with other uk financial companies/banks/credit cards and if so who?
Would it be better for us to struggle along with Lloyds TSB as we are and hope that at our 3 month review they will give us a debit card that we can use in any cash machine? What is other peoples experience? We have salaries/tax credits and child benefit paid in each month to thetune of about £2000 per month and have set up d/d's etc on the account aswe were told that they need to see it running for a few months?
Any ideas would be welcome.....

hitback

We're on a DMP with CCCS and have an account with the Co-Op. We can pay in and withdraw from Post Offices and can use our card in the usual cash points and for debit payments.

I think there are other banks which may also offer this, but not sure who they are. Someone may be able to help further on this. Good Luck

rayday2

http://www.payplan.com/pdf/bank_acc.pdf

This link has basic accounts who they are related too and what they offer hope that helps!

kevster1009

I dont think citi Link with anyone else....I have found them first class and very eay to deal with.

moonlightpjs

Citibank now own Egg if that helps at all.
Also, I have a current account with Citibank, visa debit card and cheque book, online banking and can honestly say I have had no problems whatsoever. No OD but then I wouldn't want one anyway.

Edit: Also it was easy to get an account with Citibank after been turned down by other main street banks as my credit history was terrible.