Getting a Visa debit card vs. Switch card?

May I suggest HSBC?

I had ZERO trouble getting my OWN account with HSBC.  The only thing I needed for proof of address was a letter from my in-laws stating that I lived with them.  They also bank with HSBC so im not sure weather or not that helped.  Me and my partner ALSO have a JOINT account with HSBC no problem.

I think you may find that it depends on the branch.  I had loads of problems opening up an account without their required official mail addressed to me from a utility company.  HSBC was one of the first I tried.  I did eventually get one with them as well as with Natwest, but not before DH added me to the NPower account.  Then we had to wait the required time for another bill to generate.  They only come out every three months. 

Like others I had a switch/maestro card for decades before being recently 'upgraded?' to a Visa Debit card instead.  I think it's just that the banks are streamlining more than anything else - there's no obvious difference between the two cards that I've experienced - except that I now have problems paying one of my credit cards with the new visa debit card because they're both Visa and apparently that's an issue for them! 

I lived in the US for three years and regularly used my switch/maestro card with no problems at all.