Can I have a Visa Debit with NatWest??

A question about : Can I have a Visa Debit with NatWest??

Hi, I'm looking to move my current account from my current bank, and would like to join NatWest as I have a couple of ISAs and a savings account with them. However, as I understand it, they only issue Maestro cards which are no good to me as I travel a lot and have experienced problems abroad in the past.

I've heard that they will issue a Visa Debit in certain circumstances - can anyone validate this? If so, what are the criteria?

I've also heard that they are migrating all customers to Visa Debit in the next 3 years - does anyone have any idea when this will start?

Thanks for your help!

Best answers:

• Yes, Natwest and RBS (i.e. RBS Group) will be migrating to VISA starting in 2009 onwards. 2011 everyone will have one according to Wikipedia. There is a news article about it too: https://online.wsj.com/article/SB122160215431345041.html
  For the time being, you can't have a VISA debit card. It's either Solo or Maestro. You could either open a First Reserve, Step Account, or Current Plus for transferring money to and from the ISA though, if you want a Natwest base account.
  Don't move your current bank to Natwest for the time being. Just stick with your current bank. If your current bank has a VISA debit card, stick with it.
• So, would that mean that customers using either Natwest or RBS basic key account would be issued with a Visa Electron Card and customers with Maestro will get a full Visa Debit?
• The fact that RBS is moving to Visa is confirmed - but it has been mentioned on here before that NatWest won't be switching (I can't see why they wouldn't want too) - so their are some conflicting reports - hopefully they will switch too
• I am sure Natwest is moving as even their US bank Citizen Bank (I think it is called) it also moving over to Visa Debit.
• I stood behind someone in the supermarket queue the other day who had a Natwest Visa. So it seems they are already switching.
• Was the visa sign on the top (credit card) or bottom (debit card) right hand side? and was it the standard royal blue colour?
• Why not open the current account, and when you want to move any cash out fast payment it into another bank current account that comes with a VISA?
• It was on the bottom right and it was the standard blue Visa logo. Looked more like a debit card than a credit card as, not that I am nosey, I was surprised to see it.