Nationwide abolishing cash card for us !!!!

[darren-b]

I think you are missing the point of the Nationwide cash card account, it meant for people on low incomes who don't qualify for their main (flex) bank account. Therefore the changes are to the advantage of the people that the card is aimed at. When Nationwide stopped free worldwide foreign withdrawals on their main (flex) account last year I though it wouldn't be long before they stopped it on their basic (cash card) account.

You've been lucky to be able to use it over the years as the equivalent of pre-paid currency card with no fees, but I suspect your free ride is now over no matter how much you try to protest.

[johncar54]

I think you are missing the point of the Nationwide cash card account, it meant for people on low incomes who don't qualify for their main (flex) bank account. Therefore the changes are to the advantage of the people that the card is aimed at. When Nationwide stopped free worldwide foreign withdrawals on their main (flex) account last year I though it wouldn't be long before they stopped it on their basic (cash card) account.

You've been lucky to be able to use it over the years as the equivalent of pre-paid currency card with no fees, but I suspect your free ride is now over no matter how much you try to protest.

Hi Darren, Interesting point but Nationwide in their correspondence with me have not said that is the reason why they are doing it.

They say it is based on the use made by holders of Debit Cards

I am sure everyone who has a Cash Card would have no objection to the bank improving its service to a wider group, if that is their intention, but it doing so why should they choose to penalise an existing group who are content with the present service.

Had they said, as I believe, that they are trying to reduce their costs that’s fine, open and honest, but attempt to justify it on the use of Debit cards is not only dishonest but also to a large extent ridiculous. Rather like Fords abolishing the Fiesta based on the use made of 4 wheel drives.

One of the main advantages at present with a Cash Card is that a Debit Card can in certain circumstances be used to make purchases which exceed the balance in the account. A cash card can only be used to withdraw up to the amount in the account, thus the account holder can be certain of the maximum which can be withdrawn. In some circumstances, maybe a 'newish relationship' which may turn out to be a scam, with a Cash Card the 'donor' is in control of how much they are being conned for, with a Debit Card they are not.

However, I did not want to get into a discussion about this, and it is not to help me personally, but all of us who will be, or maybe disadvantaged.

I was hoping people who can see the advantages of the existing cash card would support an attempt to save it by send a quick email to Nationwide’s CEO at:- Graham.Beale@nationwide.co.uk

[darren-b]

Pretty certain that you can't go overdrawn on all debit cards. Many banks offer visa debit cards with their basic bank accounts with no overdraft facilities. Also some banks have been known to issue visa debit cards to children, and it would be illegally to let children go overdrawn. So the only feature Nationwide is removing is the free foreign withdrawals.

No doubt one of the drivers is cost, but you might not see it but the debit card argument is actually a very valid argument. Debit card transactions are set to overtake cash transactions this year, and with the introduction of contactless cards I can only see the use of debit cards increasing.

I can see the advantages of free foreign withdrawals, but it seems like it's a thing of the past because as you say there are no other banks or financal companies that offer anything similar for free.

[johncar54]

Pretty certain that you can't go overdrawn on all debit cards. Many banks offer visa debit cards with their basic bank accounts with no overdraft facilities. Also some banks have been known to issue visa debit cards to children, and it would be illegally to let children go overdrawn. So the only feature Nationwide is removing is the free foreign withdrawals.

No doubt one of the drivers is cost, but you might not see it but the debit card argument is actually a very valid argument. Debit card transactions are set to overtake cash transactions this year, and with the introduction of con-tactless cards I can only see the use of debit cards increasing.

I can see the advantages of free foreign withdrawals, but it seems like it's a thing of the past because as you say there are no other banks or financial companies that offer anything similar for free.

Darren. Frankly I am not interested in why Nationwide are making the changes, but asking everyone to just send a email objecting to it. That might cause them to think again.

I don't think it will affect me that much, as I can trust my wife's cousin who has possession of the card in Phil, however, for those who may not be able to, retention of the card will help them and I believe we are here to help where we can.

So an unselfish quick email please