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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be pee'd off with Natwest about new rules where I can withdraw cash

24 replies

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/11/2011 19:01

I have a Step account (very basic acc) and have received an email telling me that from the 22nd November things are changing and this is what they say (c+p)
The main change to your account relates to withdrawing cash. Once your account has changed, you will only be able to withdraw cash from:
NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank branded cash machines within the UK or Gibraltar
any NatWest or Post Office® branch counter
any cash machine outside the UK and Gibraltar which displays the Visa logo (but the owners of these cash machines may charge a fee) and
retailers that offer cashback to their customers.
You won't be able to use UK cash machines from other banks or providers.

The sentence in bold is what pee's me off as if our post office is closed the nearest ATM is a Bank of Ireland which the post office had installed to the outside of their shop.
I can't get a better account with them so changing isn't an option, maybe the only solution is to change banks so I can freely use any other cash machine.

So AIBU to be annoyed?

OP posts:

londonone · 18/11/2011 19:03

I wouldn't be surprised if more banks start doing this. They don't really want business from basic account customers, so leaving would probably be doing them a favour!

LauraIngallsWilder · 18/11/2011 19:05

I would change to a different bank if I could as it would annoy me too.

Forgive me from being ignorant but what is too stop a person from getting a current account that would allow you to take money out as you wish? I wasnt really aware until reading your post that you could get an account that was more basic than the basic current account I have.

Original poster

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/11/2011 19:10

Londonone, totally agree, sadly we need them more than they need us as I would happily keep my millions spare change under the mattress:o
Laura, I'm not sure how its more basic than a basic account as I can set up direct debits, pay online, pay at a check out, transfer etc.

OP posts:

meditrina · 18/11/2011 19:11

Banks always used to do this - eg Lloyds and Barclays used to be in one group for ATMs, and Midland and NatWest in another. It was so ingrained on me that I never got out of the habit of seeking out cash machines from "my" group.

I'm not surprised to see this is back, and if it reduces behind the scenes costs I think more and more account will revert to it too.

Better this than fee for every use.

beachholiday · 18/11/2011 19:11

This is strange. They were talking about bringing in charges for using atms from other banks. They tried it before in Northern Ireland and called them "disloyalty charges" because apparently it costs the bank a little every time an atm is used and a little more if its a different bank.

But I've never heard of not being able to use other atms at all and it sits very badly with me if they target people who are limited to more basic accounts only, and are less able to switch banks.

nancerama · 18/11/2011 19:16

Definitely switch banks. It's apparently very easy (although I'm very happy with my bank, so haven't tried it) according to the money saving experts.

If you're troubled by the ethics and profiteering of big commercial banks, accounts with Co-op (or Smile online) or Nationwide are considered to be customer friendly and more mindful about how they invest their money.

5inthebed · 18/11/2011 19:19

YANBU, I have the same accout and it sucks. Luckily though there are two Tesco stores near us, both are 20 minute walks or 5 minutes in the car though. Post office not far from us, but they are closed after 5 weekdays and 1 o a Saturday.

Don;t want to change banks so guess we just have to suck it up.

fivegomadindorset · 18/11/2011 19:21

I have never been able to use my card at the post office, has that changed now?

5inthebed · 18/11/2011 19:47

It depends on the account Five. If its a savings account type one, then no. I can't use my savings one there either, but my standard one I can.

By coincidence I was at the PO today, and they had signs on the pin pads saying now accepting Natwest/RBS cards. Worth a try.

umadoopaloop · 18/11/2011 19:56

just get another free current account from a rival bank

these "basic" accounts of which you speak are intended for the sub-prime bank account holders i.e. people who have a poor credit history and cannot obtain an overdraft, don't want to set up direct debits or have access to a range of more advanced account features

what is the reason for you having a basic bank account with such limitations, rather than one of the free current accounts available at your bank? (don't think i'm trying to push you to get a paid-for current account, i hate the upsell for these myself and would never get a paid-for account as i wouldn't use their benefits)

Original poster

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/11/2011 19:57

I think I will be switching banks especially as I went on to their website and on the first page is some crap about making your everyday banking easier
To be honest, looking at the email it seems I received the email in September but as I'm wary of clicking anything that claims to be from your bank I didn't even open it and it wasn't until df mentioned he'd received the email that I looked at it. I use internet banking and haven't noticed any messages.

Yes 5inthebed I'll have to suck it up for now but it's so unfair how they can discriminate like this.

fivegomadindorest, I've used my card at the counter since I joined natwest last year. Although recently if I ask for a balance it comes up as declined but does actually print a receipt off with the balance on it. You can also use a co-op bank card and a few other but can't remember which one's.

OP posts:

fivegomadindorset · 18/11/2011 19:58

I will give it a go as was normal card. Nearest cash point for any bank is mine and that is 7 miles away.

umadoopaloop · 18/11/2011 19:58

5inthebed what is your reason also for having the basic, limited account?

why would you opt for the basic account when you also have the option of the free standard current account? all banks have these as an option, don't they?

umadoopaloop · 18/11/2011 20:00

UserNameNotAvailable there has been quite a lot of coverage about this subject lately, I think a politician got involved in objecting to the bank taking this action.. i don't recall who.

VivaLeBeaver · 18/11/2011 20:03

I'm with barclays and thought I could only use theirs and lloyds ATMs. And link machines and post office.

Original poster

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/11/2011 20:03

I've had bad credit in the past and thats why I only qualify for the step account (soon to be "new basic account")

I'd love to win the lottery just to see how quick the bank manager starts brown nosing and maybe, just maybe my custom would be appreciated :o

Wish we still had pay packets, those were the days, cold hard cash!

OP posts:

Original poster

UserNameNotAvailable · 18/11/2011 20:07

umadoopaloop, I've totally missed the coverage but I'll have a look on the net to see what I can find about it, thanks.

OP posts:

marriedinwhite · 18/11/2011 20:11

Still not a bad service as far as those of who remember life before atms and cash back are concerned. I only ever use my local bank branch or cash bank any way. Don't really see why this is such a big issue for you. Can't you withdraw what you need for the week and use the debit facility for other purchases.

5inthebed · 18/11/2011 20:52

Um, I had to change my bank account a few years ago and it was one of the onlyones available. We tried changing it to a better one ealier in the year but were declined.

It suits our needs so ot really obthered. don't need an overdraft or any loans.

umadoopaloop · 18/11/2011 21:04

But i don't need a loan or an overdraft either. what i do need is an account that isn't fundamentally limited in its features... which is what a basic bank account is designed to do (ofc they have advantages - restrictions aren't always a bad thing!)

figgygal · 18/11/2011 21:07

I'm in the same boat though with RBS and we've had those rules for about a month and not had a problem yet BUT finally read some of the emails they sent me and realised I no longer have an overdraft which hadn't realised. I've had my account with RBS since I was 9 but might have to move afterall.

ddubsgirl · 18/11/2011 21:08

ugh dh just had this email too,he isnt in at the mo so will tell him later,think he may have to change banks :(

rabbitfeet · 18/11/2011 22:56

There isn't much point in changing banks as all are planning to do this with their basic accounts!

Naoko · 19/11/2011 01:37

I have changed away from Natwest for this reason. I had a step account as when I came to the UK from abroad it was the only type of account they'd let me have (due to lack of UK credit history). I have good credit now and I could open a proper current account with them, but I'm too angry about this so I'm leaving. Just waiting for the last of my direct debits to transfer and I'll be closing the step account once they do.

I think it's awful. The nearest cashpoint I'll actually be able to use is 3 miles away. I don't drive, and I have mobility problems. Thankfully I have the option of changing banks, but a lot of people for whom these basic accounts are intended (ie people with really bad credit for whatever reason, in many cases not of their own doing) will not. Relatedly, I imagine that like me, a lot of these vulnerable customers will have prepayment electricity meters - and I don't know if it's like that nationally but nowhere round here lets you pay for topups of those with your card, they all want cash. Which I wouldn't be able to get within 3 miles if I stayed with Natwest. What if I were elderly, or (more) disabled? I can get a bus into town where there is a cashpoint, which is a massive hassle but I can do it. What if I couldn't? No way to get cash, no way to top up the meters...

Ooh I'm getting all worked up again, and I've been ranting about this to everyone who'll listen and a few people who didn't really want to for weeks....

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