An IVA comes under the Insolvency Act of 1986, same as a bankruptcy!
If you are in an IVA you are insolvent, same as a bankruptcy!
Try looking for bankruptcy friendly banks such as the Co-Op or Barclays. Perhaps HSBC green account or Lloyds may be abl eto help.

gre:

As far as I am aware an IVA should not bar you from opening a basic bank account.

Look here...

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/pdfs/bank_accounts.pdf

Hi there,

My wife recently entered into an IVA and as part of it, her bank acct with First Direct was closed as the overdraft balance was put into the IVA. Up to now, this has not been an issue as she pays her wages into my acct and we work from there. However, we now need to open a bank acct for her. We're not looking for anything special, merely something where you pay in and get a cash card only to withdraw (so no need for debit cards / overdrafts / chequer books etc.). To date, all applications for accts have been refused. Does anyone have any advice on this pls ?

We cannot change my acct (Barclays) to a joint acct and the following are 'blacklisted' banks for my wife due to the IVA impacting on them; First Direct, HSBC, Co-operative, Smile, MBNA, Egg, Barclays.

Any help / advice much appreciated....

GRE