www.iva.co.uk

I was thinking of changing my bank from think money to a basic bank account with Barclays. Think money are putting up their monthly fees, so this is why I am prompted to change, plus high street banking is not easily accessible after 3pm where I live. I have 10 months of my iva left, is it in my best interest to change banks now?

Hi,

You can try - Barclays are usually pretty good as are the Co-op (can only apply in branch though or over the phone I believe) and Yorkshire Bank are usually pretty friendly.

Will Barclays accept me if they were one of my creditors though

Barclays might do this but it would be best to discuss everything in the branch. You could try Yorkshire Bank who seem to have a good reputation.

Barclays may not but the Co-op and Yorkshire might.

I've looked at Yorkshire bank, but there isn't a high street bank where I live if I want to pay in checks or to speak to anyone.?
I'm a bit worried and embarrised to go into Barclays as it is but I would if I thought I could get just a basic account and easy acsess to a high street bank

Try the Co-op

Ok, going to try Barclays Bank today if no joy co-op. Wish me luck and thank you for your advice

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Nothing to lose in asking. I did see a poster recently saying that Barclays had offered them an account even before they entered an IVA even though they had exsisting debts to them. Would be a great thing if this is Barclays policy.

Well I'm feeling really low now. I got online and tried the coop and got declined for a basic account. They explained it was through credit checks with experian. I'm afraid to try elsewhere now just invade it goes against me? I haven't tried to move accounts since I went into an iva 4yrs ago and never defaulted I anything since. Feeling upset and low now, can anyone offer any advice please

You can't apply online for a Co-op basic account - it has to be in a branch or on the phone. Also speak to Yorkshire Bank.

I tried with coop online and they declined, is that why they declined me then? Will it go against me if I ring Yorkshire bank and try with them? Or if I go into Barclays Bank on Monday and try with them, I'm just worried about trying too many times

Co-op has to be done offline, that will be why you were declined.

You can always phone other banks anonymously and ask what their position is on people in an IVA.

Barclays will not offer you a current account while in an IVA. If you visit a branch though you can open their "cash card" account, still gives you a visa card and DD facilities along with online and phone banking facilities. I opened a cash card account with them while in my IVA. Once my IVA had finished and I was off the insolvency register they automatically upgraded the account to a full current account. Give you local branch a ring or just pop in and see one of the customer advisers, seriously I was made more than welcome and wasn't felt like I was being judged by the lady who opened my account.