Anyone Had Difficulty Getting a Debit Card?

Has anyone else had a bank deny a debit card for them? 

Let me tell you what happened yesterday.

Went to the bank because I need a debit card to purchase flights back to the States and abroad when I want to go on holiday.  I asked if I could apply for one and the bank guy looked at my account.  He informed me that I wouldn't qualify for one because I didn't have a turnover of at least £1000 per month.  He suggested that I try to get that up if possible (what am I supposed to do? ask for a raise of about £2/hour???)  I explained why I needed it and he basically asked me couldn't I give the money to my partner and have him book the tickets?  They made me feel like I wasn't good enough for them and that because I didn't earn enough that I wouldn't be responsible or wouldn't justify the expense to them. 

Pretty sure I'm going to take my business elsewhere and let them have a piece of my mind.

Do you have a basic account? They don't give debit cards with those (at my bank anyway). I had the same problems and they wouldn't give me an account with a debit card until I became a joint account holder with my husband. One of the joys of being new in the UK! 

There many be many reasons to be denied a debit card (type of account and so on) but I'm surprised that income is one of them.   My daughter brings home only just over £700 per month and she has one!  In fact I earn less than a grand a month and I have one too!

That may just be the rule for that particular class of account.

or they may have been looking for an excuse.  What I suggest is calling the help line and giving no details of your account just state you are looking to get a current account with a visa debit card and are looking for the rules ect.  This way you can request what they stated to be emailed/mailed to you  to open an account.

I know its hard at most banks unless you've been "introduced" by your SO or something but I feel so bad for everyone who can't get access to their money.

I did specifically ask the guy if there were other accounts where I wouldn't have to have a "target" turnover and he said there weren't.  Guess that rule applies across all of their current accounts, which still seems rather restrictive to me.  Thought about going with HSBC as many others have suggested, but the only branch near me is in the city centre.  Given that I get paid in cash, it wouldn't be so easy to lodge my money!

For basic bank accounts (no overdraft, no cheque writing), pages 6-7 of the following leaflet tells you which banks offer a debit card on their basic account:

http://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/_assets/downloads/pdfs/your_money/a5_guides/basic_bank_accounts.pdf

These type of accounts (basic) do not generally have minimum deposits/turnover.  The bank should explicitly state that in their T&C on any account that requires it.

More help/advice:

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumerinformation/product_news/banking/know_your_rights/index.shtml

Other options to consider, apart from high street banks -

Is there a building society in your area that maybe offers a current account? (not all do offer current accounts, but some do)

Or maybe a credit union?

Well an update on my banking situation.

I went to Bank of Ireland and sat down with a very lovely lady who guided me through all the benefits that they offer, a debit card being one of them as well as easier access to an overdraft and credit card if need be.  It took about 45 minutes to complete everything and happily enough she transferred all my direct debits to my new account.  So....C-YA First Trust!  Should have my own personal debit card in about a week!

Congrats on banking with a new bank. I think it's unacceptable to be denied a debit card on account of income, I know lots of people with less than 1000 pounds per month and they all have debit cards. I am not sure if are allowed to do this (forum rules etc) but which bank were you banking with? I am just curious.

I was with First Trust here in Northern Ireland, part of the AIB group, which probably explains why they were worried about money.  Everyone knows they're going down the crapper because of the mess in the Republic.