Debit Cards

[AnthonyJB10]

I'm 14 and I wish to get a debit card that ISN'T Visa Electron or Solo. I was wondering if it was possible to get a Switch or Visa/Delta debit card with any UK bank by getting a joint account with a parent, or getting a credit card under a parents credit rating? (I read somewhere that Lloyds TSB still do this ... is this true?) Could anyone offer some suggestions? Thanks.

[wizard]

Because you are not of an age of legal responsibilty banks are not allowed to issue you - by law - a Switch debit card are credit card. To get a Switch account you need to set up a "Current Account" to do that you need to have a good income (roughly a minimum of �250 a month). To get a credit card you need to have a good credit score, something you cannot achieve unless you have a job earning so much a month, are 18 and are financially stable.

[wizard]

A little bit sketchy but I hope you understand!

[stevie21]

As far as I know, the youngest that you'll need to be to get even an Electron/Solo is 16 and for a Visa Delta/Switch it's likely to be 18. As you say yourself, your best bet could be to be issued a second card on someone else's account but I don't know of the age limits on this.

You should try calling Lloyds and various other banks/credit cards if you're keen enough to find out

[saffstar]

I had a switch card from the NatWest when I was 16. Don't know if they still offer them though because that was just before the introduction of Solo

[becks]

I had a credit card under my mum's name but you'll have to wait til you're 16 i'm afraid. It's a good idea cos you don't rack up loads of money cos your mum will kill you but it's good for emergencies. Why do you want one anyway? Do you have stacks of cash that you need to spend because if you don't credit cards are more hassle than they're worth and you won't be able to use a debit card without the funds in the bank.

[Blunderwoman]

Wizard should be on Blue Peter, you can just hear it coming out in a patronising little voice! You know all this already Kid don't you, what you want to know is HOW you can get your grubby little mitts on Switch or Delta. Because with the other dum dum cards you cant rack up an unauthorised overdraft, but with these others and knowing that most stores have a floor limit of 50 or so , you could have a wild time knowing full well that you could never be held responsible for the debt! Why else would you want those particular brands. Im surprised you haven't just applied saying your'e 18 anyway.

[Spencer]

at the current point in time, you can not obtain a switch, mastercard etc. you can only obtain a visa electron and a solo card. funny enough though when you turn 16 you can apply for a visa debit card or switch but must have a regular income per month, e.g min i think at yorkshire bank is bout �200 per month hope this helps

[danbishop123]

Someone above said that you had to be 16 for a solo/visa electron, i know you dont want either of these, but for anyone else reading the thread i thought i would let you all know you only need to be 12 for a solo debit card and 16 for visa electron. I got my solo when i was 13 but the Halifax do give them from age 12, most sites on the web accept it and most shops do too, so its not bad, i am now 15 and i have just recieved my visa electron card (its 3 weeks till my 16th b'day.

[sam_lee409]

Hiya

The actual age you can apply for  a solo card is 11 if you use natwest.  I'm afraid you can't apply for a switch card until you are 18 and earning over �250 a month.  As for a Visa Debit Card, you also have to be 18.  I can't wait til im 18 then i can apply for one.  Anyway, news update, do not use lloyds tsb, when u phone up customer services, u get indian people who are actually in india.  if ur wiv natwest you can go directly through your local bank.