Banks miserly with school leavers: Natalie's dreams

NATALIE KUBIK, 18, has just left school and is looking for a full-time job. She says: 'I have a bank account with Lloyds, which I opened when I was 15. I have a cash card and a cheque book, but have not been able to get a cheque guarantee card.'

She is weighing up whether to switch banks or stay with Lloyds.

'The petrol vouchers with Abbey National are an incentive, but the interest rate is low. I do not want an overdraft as it will be too much of a temptation.

'Cheap CDs and tapes are also of no interest as I cannot afford them in the first place'.

She will review the position next year when she hopes to study medicine at university.

(Photograph omitted)