debit card

[k81984]

im 22 and have no debts at all, when i was 18 my bank (Nationwide) offered me a debit card, i declined as i didnt need it at the time, however, now i cannot get 1 as i have no credit history. I have banked with them since i was about 6!!!! This makes no sense to me as it is not even a credit card i want but a debit card. I just dnt get it!!! I have now applied to open a current card with LLoyds and am waiting for their response. Ne1 ese had this prob?

[larakitten]

Hi there, the sad and ironic fact is that it can be hard to get credit if you've never had it before! Debit cards unfortunately require a credit score pass as the accounts they're attached to can normally offer an overdraft facility - which is a form of lending. Its irrespective of whether you want that facility or not, its the fact its there if you want it. Also, full debit cards (as opposed to Visa electron etc) do not simply stop allowing transactions through if theres no money there....potentially they can keep allowing you to spend money you dont have, which is another form of lending, albeit unauthorised.

However, all banks have different credit score criteria, so there should be someone willing to give you the facility as long as you've not had previous missed payments or defaults. Then you run the account well for the next six months or so, no exceeding Overdraft limits or charges and you'd probably then have the pick of the high street banks.

Hope this helps!!

[wendilla]

I have banked with NW number of years and when I first applied I was turned down so I got one somewhere else (credit card) The first time I went to pay my credit card through NW the girl said "why dont you have one of our cards" so being awkward I said ok and went through the procedure again and guess what (I was accepted).But I didnt go through with it as i felt they should have given me one in the first place as I didnt have any bad credit history. still have NW and still get asked if i want theres and i just politely tell them i had asked for theres in the first place .

[gammaray]

You can build your credit history by having utility accounts, mobile phone accounts etc. If you have a history (say, 12 months) of making regular payment commitments it helps to increase your point score.

[rebecca321]

I had the same thing happen to me, plus i had �2000 in savings with the same bank i wanted to open a debit card with. Try opening up store cards, and apply for a simple cash card, thats what i had to do for a few months then i was able to get my debit card. It is a bit of a hassle, but it's worth it in the end

[k81984]

Cheers every1!!! Big help! I gues Ill just have to work on getting a credit rating. it soooo doesnt make sense though!

[stanleyman]

If you've no debts then keep it that way, borrowing costs a lot of money and apart from perhaps a mortgage, you can live without it and don't have to be drawn into the modern debt culture. I pay for what I need and I don't think I've got any credit rating either but am I worried?

[jennifer_cro]

My boyfriend had the same problem with barclays, even though he had banked with them for over 10 years they refused to give him one.

He walked into HSBC the next day, set up a new account and received a debit card 5 days after that!

[Eels]

One option which is an easy way to get a credit history rolling is to get a credit card. People will fall over themselves to give you one of those. You have to be confident that you can manage it though.

My suggestion would be to get a card (Capital One give to anyone), put a regular item on it (eg pay your supermarket shopping with it) and arrange a direct debit for the whole amount to be paid each month. You'll never pay any interest (usually as long as it's paid off within 56 days) and you'll have a nice clean history in no time.