Hi headwire.

I suspect this will simply come down to the acceptance criteria that each Lloyds account has. Normally it's just the basic accounts that include provision for people that are in Scottish trust deeds.

The rule that Lloyds have about using other cash machines is appalling and has been subject to much criticism. It costs them pennies when an account holder uses the cash machine of another bank.

I'd switch away to a bank that treats their basic account holders with respect rather than contempt. However, if you'd rather stick with them there would be no harm in asking the question.

Hi Headwire,

RBS basic account is the same, you can only withdraw cash from RBS cash machines. So if you are changing I would avoid that one. I only managed to upgrade my account after my TD was finished.

RBS and Lloyds are the two banks that do this. Reported in the Guardian on 31st August:

MPs have urged RBS and Lloyds TSB to allow customers with basic bank accounts to use their cards in rivals' cash machines, saying that limiting withdrawals could lead to a decrease in the number of free ATMs.

"The main purpose behind the development of the basic bank account initiative was to improve financial inclusion. It is particularly regrettable that this 'beggar my neighbour' approach may therefore lead to the closure or, in the case of cash machines not operated by banks, change to charging at existing free to use cash machines," the committee said.

I had same problem until I found barclays, who give you a full working account that is same in almost all respects as a current account with overdraft. Just went in, opened the account, and walked out with the sort code, and everything sorted within a week.

was in middle of trust deed when opening that account.

Thanks for the replys folks. It has proven to be tricky at times to get cash out and I do feel like I'm being punished a bit by not allowing me to use other banks machines. I'll give Lloyds a call and see what they say, but I've found that they seem to know very little about TDs and I'm worried that if they do let me upgrade that they will close it down in the future.

I can't see any reason why they should close the account down in future, Headwire, if you are successful in getting an account upgrade.
Is worth a try I would say - given that the trust deed has been up and running for a while now then if they have a problem with it then they won't allow you to upgrade in the first place.