massive problem need advice

[MelanieGiles]

When we get the next Frugal Friends meeting off the ground towards the end of the summer, I shall ask the guys from Secure Trust to come and join us and do a little presentation of the account features. Nothing too formal, but I think beneficial for a lot of people. With major banks wanting to get away from low value basis current account, with no ability to cross sell other banking products, this innovative account is bound to get more and more popular, as I do not think there is much like it out there.

I am in the process of comparing various bank accounts and pre-paid cards for the forum at the moment, and hope to be able to have some form of comparison table available by the time I return from annual leave in early July.

[kallis3]

Look forward to it Melanie - and the FF meetings when they get off the ground again.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas one last year.

[David Mond]

Hope Melanie you will compare the ClearCash icount offering as well.

The ClearCash icount really takes into account the many needs people are looking for in a contemporary financial solution.

ClearCash enables clients to manage their money intelligently and with as many tools as possible.

Just some of the benefits ClearCash offers are outlined below:

Standing order facility

Bill payment facility

Cashback/Discount retail site with over 1,000 online stores including Tesco, Debenhams, Dixons and HMV

Contact with the ClearCash team available by telephone, email, SMS text and livechat

Balance available by text anyplace, anytime, anyday

Loading of the card can be done via bank transfer, PayPoint and the PostOffice

A unique budgeting tool (the first of it's kind to be offered in this format) will be available with ClearCash and enable clients to manage and assess exactly how and where they are spending their money.

Purchase Protection will also be available with ClearCash and in such a turbulent market, we believe many clients will enjoy this peace of mind

ClearCash will continually be developed and I welcome any feedback or ideas people have on how this product can be extended to further cater for debtors needs.

ClearCash will be available next week, but should you want to get any more information, please contact a member of the ClearCash team.

[kallis3]

I'm not thinking of changing from my normal bank, but I have to say that I think the Secure Trust card has the edge!

[MelanieGiles]

Of course I will David - it is difficult to ignore its advent on the forum at the moment!!

My main problem, however, is that I think we are comparing apples and pears - in that the Secure Trust is a proper current account with all of the usual facilities associated with mainstream banking - including the ability to pay by direct debit - as well as a pre-paid Mastercard facility.

I think that in the future there will be many people taking up this account, as there are already several pre-paid cards around, but I am not sure that there is any competitor to the Secure Trust option. Let me know if you find one.

[David Mond]

Melanie - I do agree that the Secure Trust card has many benefits and of the pre-paid cards available currently, is definitely one of the best.

ClearCash, also a MasterCard pre-paid, has been built on considering all elements of what is currently available, but has additional, unique benefits which demonstrate our understanding of the level of support which can be given to people using such cards.

With so much interest on iva.co.uk about the pre-paid cards available, would everyone here like us to organise an event during which we can debate the contents of pre-paid cards on the market and how they do/don't service clients to their best abilities?

The event could be in a neutral space, or even online to enable all forum members to log-on and particpate.

It is cheaper than the Secure Trust card and can do whatever you can do with Secure Trust (who use an account and a card) by utilising its own one stop card. It also as indicated has many more valuable functions and the cashback and discount facilities should ensure that net of all expenditure it probably won't cost you anything (obviously depending on your spending patterns).

I believe this new and effective tool available on the market from this week onwards is going to help people who are struggling financially at what I consider to be a reasonable cost (which in the main can be re-couped). Its unique money management tool will be a godsend.

[MelanieGiles]

I think that this has been adequately answered on the othe post you have placed this on.

[thewds]

hi all thank you for all your responses to my questions i do believe this will be the way forward for many people wanting a securely managed account enabling a well maintained income and expenditure account so avoiding over spend
however for me this wont help as i need business facilities with my new account and as these dont offer any i am still in the same position where i have money coming in to a holding account via Barclays merchant services but i have no account to pay it into so i am snookered i have money but cant touch it as no bank account will allow me to apy it in as its business money
please help i am desperate as of today i have no income either personal or business as no account will accept the money

[MelanieGiles]

I think that Andy knows of a company that may offer business banking facilities - but you need a £5k deposit and it is expensive. Andy - what is the name of the company please?

[thewds]

I am pleased to say melanie
that i got one Natwest offer the perfect solution a basic business account so for future reference so long as the applicant has not started an IVA they will quailfy subject to a credit check which is very lenient
thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[MelanieGiles]

Fantastic - and well done to Natwest for offering this service. I will definately be recommending them in the future.

[kallis3]

Well done thewds!

Glad you got your account sorted out.

[Skippy]

That's really good news, and will give hope to other posters - thanks for letting us know x