Is my card a debit card aswell as a cashcard?

[Skithepowder]

When I applied for my bank account I was told that I may not get a debit card straight away until my income has been proved but she'd have to check. If I couldn't it would be upgraded after paying in a couple months salary... it is my 1st bank account, I've previously put my money in premium bonds.

I'm banking with Natwest, anyway I got my card through the other day and I have to activate it but on it it has a chip like the chip and pin cards, it has a solo logo on the front in the top right corner and a solo hologram beneath it, it has cashcard in small writing written at the top left on the front and the 16 digit number and start expiry dates etc on the front. On the back it has a magnetic strip and underneath there is both a maestro and a cirrus logo in the bottom left. And the place for my signature.

Is it a debit card aswell? Or is it likely it has the possibility to function as a debit card but only once I've upgraded it after "proving" my income?

Cheers guys.

[CheekyChops]

No, having worked for NatWest for 20 years I can confirm that a Solo card is definately a debit card. It will only allow you to use it if there are available funds in your account. It is pretty much the same as a switch card only some places still take switch but not solo (not many nowadays).

[Carol Anne]

Hi, Cheekychops is right, your Solo card is a debit card, but it is the junior version of the bank's standard debit card, the Maestro which also has a cheque guarantee facility as well. Solo was designed mainly for 16 - 18 year olds but is issued to many adults also who generally cannot pass the credit test. All solo transactions are sanctioned at the point of sale , in theory to make sure the account cannot become overdrawn, whereas Maestro transactions can be made within a retailers floor limit which could allow you to spend more than you have in your account.

[stevie21]

At some point, it crossed your mind to phone the bank and ask them?
It did, didn't it?