From: "Tim" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Questions for UK citizens using a Debit or Credit card
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:08:38 +0100
Bytes: 3358

>> > > "Greg Rozelle" wrote
>> >>> Those methods will still come out
>> >>> of your primary checking account.
>> > >
>> > "Tim" wrote:
>> > > What other account(s) could it possibly come out
>> > > of, if not the account to which the card relates?
>> >
>> "Alex" wrote
>> > Well it may be a bank card, rather than an account card,
>> > in which case you could have the choice of which account
>> > with that bank you are withdrawing the cash from...
>>
> "Tim" wrote:
>> Which UK bank(s) issue(s) such a card, operating on multiple accounts?
>
"Alex" wrote
> None, AFAIK.  ...

That's what I suspected.  So, there was no point in
Greg's comment regarding a UK debit card, then?

"Alex" wrote
> ...  Although at least one bank's debit card (mine) will offer you
> the choice of a debit card (VISA) or a cash withdrawal (Link)
> transaction when in Ireland.  It's exactly the same principle.

That sounds like it still only applies to one account.
What's the difference between getting cash out of an ATM via
VISA or getting cash out of the ATM via Link?  Just charges?

"Alex" wrote
> BTW - the technology allows not just this, and the possibility of
> multiple accounts, but multiple banks and even other organisations.

Yes, I know!  But Greg's comment suggests that this
technology is *already* being used by one/more UK banks...

> "Tim" wrote:
>> When this debit card is used to buy goods in a shop, does
>> it always use one particular a/c or does the retailer choose
>> which a/c will be debited, before you enter your PIN / sign?
>
"Alex" wrote
> It would always be the cardholder choosing,
> not the retailer.  Well, in theory anyway.

Let's hope the input machines in the shops
will cope, with giving the customer the choice!