Ulster Bank Visa Debit Card Thread

donal.hunt

As you may be aware from my earlier posts, I've been poking about regarding debit cards today...

Anyway... the significant news appears to be that Ulster Bank will be issuing new debit cards to all Ulster Bank customers from September 2009. They will be ditching Maestro and moving to the Visa Debit network. I suspect it will take 12-18 months for all customers to be changed over...

When they first mentioned it, they indicated it was a Visa Electron card which I got excited about and specifically double-checked to be sure. The person I was talking to double-checked and discovered it was the normal Visa Debit cards - NOT the electron.

so no cheap booking fees for online flights it seems... Wonder if there are any of advantages / disadvantages with the Visa Debit network?

UPDATE: to be clear, the change will result in your debit card supporting the Laser and Visa Debit networks instead of the Laser and Maestro networks.

BuffyBot

It was always unlikely to be the Visa Electron

RBS and Natwest (Ulster Bank's sister organisations) have started moving over to issue Visa Debit cards for their customers. So it doesn't surprise me that UB are doing it, but I don't seem to find any actual confirmation anywhere. Certainly Ulster Bank in the North would be affected by RBS/Natwest's move - but down here, I'm not so sure. Have you any links or info to support it?

As for the advantages/disadvantages - search the multitude of threads on "visa debit" on this forum. The majority of peoples experiences with the Halifax Visa debit seem to have been quite positive from what I've seen.

donal.hunt

Just received confirmation from Ulster Bank's press office...

Ulster Bank Group is pleased to confirm that it will begin issuing Visa debit cards to all its customers by the end of 2009.

contact was:
Deirdre O'Connell
Media Relations
Communications and Corporate Services
Ulster Bank Group
Ulster Bank Group Centre
George's Quay
Dublin 2

Polly74

I wish BOI would do this. It gives a lot more flexibility from the point o fview of oredering goods and services online. Laser is only really restricted to Ireland and I hate buying goods online in ireland because all the prices are so bloody inflated. Ii think its a good move and will also eliminate Visa credit card debts too. You only spend what you have!!

natweststaff

I can also confirm that ulster bank are transitioning to visa debit from Septemeber. The transition will be across the whole of the RBS Group

RBS starts 15/08
Natwest & Ulster Bank starts 05/09

You find similar leaflets to these in your statements:

http://www.rbs.co.uk/content/personal/downloads/NoticeOfVariation0609.pdf

http://www.natwest.com/olb/mandatory_message/downloads/keeping_you_informed_0609.pdf

d2carazy

i like the sound of this, i never got a credit card as i had no use for them except online and if the visa debit can do this i wont be getting a credit card.

BuffyBot

Well if it is true for Ulster in ROI, then thumbs up for them.

Hopefully another bank will break ranks from the Laser cartel (NIB, I'm looking at you, as you issue Visa Debit in other markets) and we'll finally see some movement on the stranglehold that Laser has had.

The bizarre thing is that AIB issue Visa Debit in NI for First Trust customers. Now if they switched, that would be a seismic event. We can but hope..

natweststaff

For ulster bank customers with online banking.

If you sign in and go to your account balances.

You should see account summary and underneath it says:

Important information: Read about essential updates and changes relating to your bank account and services

If you click on that line it will show you communications and one of them is the new terms and conditions about the new visa debit cards.

unclebill98

Well i can confirm being an insider that Visa Debit is coming and its a welcome change from the Lazer system. The amount of complaints about Lazer cards not working in terminals was the main reason for the change.

rameire

http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showpost.php?p=895875&postcount=9

just on the linked post.

they will not replace your laser card until it has expired.
so that is why i will loose mine or damage mine

natweststaff

Existing customers with Maestro/Laser cards can continue to use there Cards as normal. Customers will receive their new Visa Debit cards on request or replacement or as their current card expires.

So if you wait until the a few days after the 05/09/09 and report you card damaged or something to that effect you'll get a new visa debit card.

100gSoma

This is fantastic news. It also offers ROI customers a viable option if Halifax (Irelands only VISA DEBIT card) do decide to pull out. I could not return to Laser card and credit card to carry out my financial dealings. Everything is much more simplified with a VISA debit card.

Davy

100gSoma wrote: »

Everything is much more simplified with a VISA debit card.

Nice sales pitch :pac:

herya

Davy wrote: »

Nice sales pitch :pac:

No need for sales pitch, I'm in no way affiliated with any of the Visa Debit banks but I can justify that it's a brilliant product if you buy/book a lot of stuff online. It's recognised everywhere, very versatile, you don't need credit cards, I got mine from Halifax so no fees, decent online banking etc. I couldn't go back to a brick&mortar Laser/CC offer.

I hope Halifax stays - my exp with them is brilliant - but it's good to have another option. Laser system is so backwater.

Roll them Visas on I say!

pug_

Provided they use both Laser and Visa then I don't mind, but if they ditch laser altogether it could be a right pita. Not everywhere will take visa, my wife has a visa debit card from halifax, and places like LIDL don't accept visa but will take laser meaning she has to have cash with her every time she shops, there are other places too she's mentioned that only take laser but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

Davy

I didnt mean it like that, more you should get on to visa marketing

I have one myself for 2 years-ish and find it great

herya

When I started using my Visa Debit I was told in some Spars or Centras that they can't give me cashback - but then I was given cashback no trouble in the same shops so either they were unfamiliar with the card and didn't know they can or they've upgraded their systems since.

I always have a backup card with me anyway so it didn't matter to me that much.

herya

Davy wrote: »

I didnt mean it like that, more you should get on to visa marketing

I could easily be Visa Debit poster girl

BuffyBot

Well it simply wasn't in Aldi/Lidl's interest to set themselves up to accept Visa Debit before. It simply didn't have enough of a market share when Halifax were the sole issuers. However now that a major bank, which a lot of their customers use, will soon have issuing Visa Debit cards they have more of an incentive to make the change and sort out their systems.

I believe Postbank's (non-Laser) Maestro card suffers the same - Aldi don't accept them, and Lidl may/may not if people's experiences from this forum are as I remember them being posted.

daithijjj

I dont know how anyone survives on laser alone. Ive been using visa debit or the equivalent for 13 years approx. If halifax shut and no visa debit was available it would be like swapping my ipod for a 'ghettoblaster'. The sooner irish banks move into the 21st century the better.

If there is anything attractive on offer at ulster after they start issuing il get an account there too, just incase halifax pull the plug, which would be a great shame imo, never had anything but good service in there.

schween

Got a letter today informing me of my Visa Debit T's & C's with Ulster Bank...did a google search for more info and found this thread. I'm so happy, I have a Halifax card, but was considering switching back to Ulster because of the rumours of late (I'm heading abroad for a few months and the last thing I want to hear when abroad is that Halifax shuts up shop)

Davy

If halifax actually does decide to close retail here, i imagine ulster bank will now get an influx of customers

herya

Davy wrote: »

If halifax actually does decide to close retail here, i imagine ulster bank will now get an influx of customers

In case of a bank ceasing to operate they may set up an agreement with another bank - customer accounts can be transferred seamlessly to the other "default" bank, obviously they can also take their account elsewhere if they prefer but if there's no preference it makes sense for the bank to make it quick and easy for its former customers and for the second bank to be "recommended" in this way. Heard about it happening in Europe.

100gSoma

pug_ wrote: »

Not everywhere will take visa, my wife has a visa debit card from halifax, and places like LIDL don't accept visa but will take laser meaning she has to have cash with her every time she shops

What other places have you found that have a card reader and won't take Visa? Lidl is the one annoyance I have come across. They are the same in Germany and only take a national debit card not an international one.

Very good points by Buffybot etc that Lidl will have to consider changing their stance if VISA debit took a larger share of the Irish consumer market. And I agree with Herya that some places still think that the visa debit is a credit card and won't offer you cashback. That would change too if and when there is an influx of new visa users that will help retail owners gain familiarity with the card.

pug_

I forgot to ask my wife yesterday, I'll try and remember this evening and let you know.

Davy

100gSoma wrote: »

What other places have you found that have a card reader and won't take Visa? Lidl is the one annoyance I have come across. They are the same in Germany and only take a national debit card not an international one.

Lidl and aldi are the only two i can think of

filmbuffboy

Why on earth are ulster bank & halifax the only two to do visa debit in Ireland???? Is it in some way the other banks interestes to use the inferior laser???

sitstill

I think the big banks jointly own Laser so thats probably why they're reluctant to part with it

BuffyBot

Yup - Laser is jointly owned by AIB, Bank of Ireland, EBS, First Active, NIB, PTSB and Ulster

I suspect Ulster/First Active will dump their share of Laser Card Services on some of the others when the switchover is complete.

dotsman

Just one thing that I feel needs to be pointed out about debit cards (esp those who said they preferred them to Credit Cards). For online purchases, you have far more rights with a credit card, and it does offer great protection against fraud/disputes.

With a debit card you authorise the seller to take the money from your account immediately. With a credit card, you instruct the seller to bill your card provider. You, in turn, pay your credit card bill between 1 and 2 months later, by which time, if there were problems with the transaction, you can refuse payment to you credit card provider (who in turn, carries out a chargeback against the seller).

Even back when I had a Visa Debit Card, I never used it online.

Don't get me wrong, they're great, especially for kids who can't get credit cards. But if you have both, then the credit card is the safer way to pay.

jaffa20

Just switched from them to halifax. They were a pain in the ass. I can't count how many problems i've had with them and halifax seemed to be doing ok so far so i'm happy to be free. Actually, they are still taking ages to close my account and switch it to halifax.

Redmen Rule OK

Dotmans. I'm afraid you have got it wrong about using Visa Debit cards on-line. :P

If you buy something and don't get the goods you can get your money back through the bank that gave you the Visa debit card. Of course you will be asked to try to get the money back from the seller first.
Maestro and Laser don't give us the same protection!
The same goes if you order a new sofa and pay a deposit in a shop, if the shop goes bust the rules for Visa Debit cards allow you to claim your money back from the Bank. If you don't believe me look at the Visa Website. They don't distinguish between the Visa credit cards and Visa debit cards. So good news for Ulster Bank customers!:)

natweststaff

Just abit of an update.

RBS customers from 23/08/09 will now recieve a visa debit card from lost or replacement cards. This will also apply to natwest and ulster bank from 13/09/09.

dotsman

Redmen Rule OK wrote: »

Dotmans. I'm afraid you have got it wrong about using Visa Debit cards on-line. :P

If you buy something and don't get the goods you can get your money back through the bank that gave you the Visa debit card. Of course you will be asked to try to get the money back from the seller first.
Maestro and Laser don't give us the same protection!
The same goes if you order a new sofa and pay a deposit in a shop, if the shop goes bust the rules for Visa Debit cards allow you to claim your money back from the Bank. If you don't believe me look at the Visa Website. They don't distinguish between the Visa credit cards and Visa debit cards. So good news for Ulster Bank customers!:)

Where on the website is that? Not saying you're wrong, it's just that this is the first I heard of it, and can't find anything on their website about it! Google brings up a few articles about it, with this BBC article describing it, but also saying that it's not as good as a credit card (as it's not legally binding).

I'd be interested to know if that cover also applies to Irish customers. I'd also, as in the article, question the legal comeback if you're not happy. With a credit card, you are protected by actual laws. With a Debit card, you don't. Visa may offer it as a bonus, but it's more a customer-friendly initiative than a legal obligation. I'd also be concerned about the likes of this.

natweststaff

Please see page 77 of this PDF file

This is the same process for UK banks:

http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/card_acceptance_guide.pdf

filmbuffboy

I find it strange that ulster banks website isnt showing up any info on the new visa debit card theyre introducing, or am i just looking in all the wrong places??
IS the switchover automatic on the 13th?? Anyone who applies for a new current account after 13/9 will recieve an ulster bank visa debit? Ive been with halifax the last couple yrs but would rather switch to UB with all this talk of halifax possibly leaving Ireland or ceasing its lending division at the very least.

natweststaff

filmbuffboy wrote: »

I find it strange that ulster banks website isnt showing up any info on the new visa debit card theyre introducing, or am i just looking in all the wrong places??
IS the switchover automatic on the 13th?? Anyone who applies for a new current account after 13/9 will recieve an ulster bank visa debit? Ive been with halifax the last couple yrs but would rather switch to UB with all this talk of halifax possibly leaving Ireland or ceasing its lending division at the very least.

At the moment the details are not currently on the RBS group websites. However this will change over the next few weeks.

The only website that has been changed so far is natwest international & RBS:

http://www.natwestinternational.com/nw/visa.ashx

http://www.rbs.co.uk/global/visa.ashx?DCMP=OTC-visadebitFURL

http://www.natwest.com/global/visa.ashx

Any cards ordered due to lost or replacements after around the 13th Sept will be visa debit cards this would also apply to new accounts.

Id give ulster bank telephone banking a call and they may be able to confirm dates etc for you.

They are aware of it as a dual branded email was sent to everyone about the switch over to visa debit last week at work confirming the dates etc.

**Timbuk2**

My friend told me that Ulster Bank are getting Visa Debit shortly - I knew they were eventually going to change but I didn't think they were going to do it this soon.

When will it be introduced? (I can't find anything about it on ulsterbank.ie!)
Will it have all the functionality as the Visa Debit from Halifax (i.e. being able to use it as a debit card, as well as online, where Visa Credit Card is accepted?)

Also, my brother is looking to start a bank account (he's 17) and I might get him to start an Ulster Bank one, as he could use the Visa Debit instead of an actual credit card for buying things online. Will Ulster Bank use it for their Young People's account also?

BuffyBot

Merged with existing thread. You'll find many of the answers already covered - but yes, it works everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, on and offline.

alexmcred

A word of warning my Halifax Visa Debit was compromised and they managed to empty what was left in my back account. Now in fairness Halifax were very good and dealt with the matter swiftly by extending Overdraft on my account so i could still pay bills mortgage etc. They were the ones who contacted me a out the problem before The transactions even landed in my account.

Only prob was they were a bit slow sending out replacement cards.

**Timbuk2**

BuffyBot wrote: »

Merged with existing thread. You'll find many of the answers already covered - but yes, it works everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, on and offline.

Thanks! Apologies for starting a new thread.

alexmcred wrote: »

A word of warning my Halifax Visa Debit was compromised and they managed to empty what was left in my back account. Now in fairness Halifax were very good and dealt with the matter swiftly by extending Overdraft on my account so i could still pay bills mortgage etc. They were the ones who contacted me a out the problem before The transactions even landed in my account.

Only prob was they were a bit slow sending out replacement cards.

May I ask how it was compromised? Was it stolen or was your card skimmed at an ATM?

Also - is the Visa Debit from Ulster Bank Chip 'n' Pin? (I assume it is - but I'd like to be sure).

valor

Is there any difference between me holding a Visa Debit card and a Visa credit card, apart from the fact I have to have the Debit card pre loaded?

unclebill98

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Also - is the Visa Debit from Ulster Bank Chip 'n' Pin? (I assume it is - but I'd like to be sure).

Not sure what you mean?

herya

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Also - is the Visa Debit from Ulster Bank Chip 'n' Pin? (I assume it is - but I'd like to be sure).

Yes it is.

BuffyBot

In fairness, any card, from any bank can be skimmed/cloned/compromised - it's not particularily relevant to this thread though

Is there any difference between me holding a Visa Debit card and a Visa credit card, apart from the fact I have to have the Debit card pre loaded?

Not really, no

Davy

valor wrote: »

Is there any difference between me holding a Visa Debit card and a Visa credit card, apart from the fact I have to have the Debit card pre loaded?

BuffyBot wrote: »

Not really, no

Arent the purchases you make covered for 90/100 days on a credit card, and not covered using the debit or laser

Redmen Rule OK

Hi guys and gals.

Latest info from one of my friends who works in Ulster Bank is that they will start sending out Visa debit cards in the next couple of weeks.
I think they are waiting for the factory that makes the cards to change their production lines before they can announce it. According to my mate as soon as their website changes everything is ready for them to send out the new cards. My Ulster Bank Laser card is cracked but I can still use it and my mate says to wait a couple of days and that I should be able to get a Visa debit card in its place. It won't even cost me anything cause they have no charge for getting a new card. So if you have a card with them just tell you its dmaged and ask them to exchange your Laser card for a Visa debit card. :cool:

100gSoma

judging by the fact BOI has said it cannot guarantee double charging won't occur again with LASER, maybe other banks will begin to switch to VISA too. LASER is a joke.

alexmcred

Bank don't/didn't know how the card was compromised. I know that any card can be compromised but what I'm trying to point out is that before people switch to using visa debit that they are aware of the repocussions of visa debit being compromised can be a pain.

Visa debit cards are not pre loaded and can use the funds availiable in what could be your main bank account.

BuffyBot

100gSoma wrote: »

judging by the fact BOI has said it cannot guarantee double charging won't occur again with LASER, maybe other banks will begin to switch to VISA too. LASER is a joke.

*sigh*

That had nothing to do with it being Visa or Laser - it could as easily happen with Visa Debit as Laser.

If you're going to comment, at least be accurate - and it might be better to keep it to the more appropriate thread.

Let's go back on topic folks

**Timbuk2**

Redmen Rule OK wrote: »

...they will start sending out Visa debit cards in the next couple of weeks....

Ahh damn.. I thought they were starting Visa Debit on the 13/09/09. I don't want to create an account until they start Visa Debit - as I don't want to receive a Laser/Maestro card and have to replace it only weeks after getting it.

As a matter of interest, how widely accepted is Visa in POS in shops throughout Ireland? My BOI Laser Card is accepted nearly everywhere, my (crappy) Postbank Maestro-only card has about 40% acceptance.