HBOS Interest rates missing off internet

Yes I've just noticed that too. It used to be handy knowing at a glance what interest rate was being applied to each account. You can get them from the menu button on the left of the page though.

I e-mailed Halifax and got this rather strange reply which seems to suggest that customers actually wanted this feature removing.

''As we are making the transition in to Lloyds Banking Group, we're using this opportunity to look at customer feedback to enhance the Online Service over 2010. These enhancements will improve the customer experience and screen designs, whilst boosting our Online security.
As part of the process for making these improvements, we've looked closely at customer demand, and under-utilised parts of the Online Service have been removed to make the Online Service simpler to use.

We provide interest rates on our savings page on https://www.halifax.co.uk / https://www.bankofscotlandhalifax.co.uk however if you require specific interest rate information on your account we can help you over the telephone.

For further information on current rates visit https://www.halifax.co.uk / https://www.bankofscotlandhalifax.co.uk, select Savings and use the 'Our saving interest rates' link on the left-hand side menu.

To contact our Savings and Investments Department please call 08457 26 36 46. Our lines are open Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 8am - 4pm and Sunday 9am - 4pm.

Alternatively, please visit your local branch. For a comprehensive list of all our contact details and the location of your nearest branch, visit our website...''

Dave_save wrote: »

I e-mailed Halifax and got this rather strange reply which seems to suggest that customers actually wanted this feature removing.

''As we are making the transition in to Lloyds Banking Group, we're using this opportunity to look at customer feedback to enhance the Online Service over 2010. These enhancements will improve the customer experience and screen designs, whilst boosting our Online security.
As part of the process for making these improvements, we've looked closely at customer demand, and under-utilised parts of the Online Service have been removed to make the Online Service simpler to use.

My interpretation of that is:

"We are merging systems with Lloyds TSB. Unfortunately, their system does not allow us to give you as good a service on your Online Service as you previously received. This has meant that we have had to remove certain useful features of the Online Service. We have made the decision, following customer feedback, to remove features, taking a big step backwards in order to provide equivalent functionality to their system, rather than by incorporating a wider range of features into Lloyds TSB's Online System."

And, it's not entirely clear, but 'over 2010' implies that you may be able to add:

"During the course of this year you will notice that yet more parts of the Online Service will be removed, in order to simplify the design of the Online Service, and increase your frustration."

If it is indeed the case that this is a permanent removal, then it shows that the banks clearly don't care about this or this.

Or am I just being overly pessimistic? Let's hope so!

Dave_save wrote: »

I also suggested to them that there is a suspicion that this was being done to hide negative interest rate changes on the accounts.

Spot on, they are taking a leaf out of Lloyds TSB's book. Their savings often (like other banks admittedly) have a "12 month bonus", so when looking up rates you have to be date specific, and also include/ exclude the bonus - not customer friendly at all. Lloyds have struck gold (quite literally), with the realisation that some HBOS customers still have £10k sitting in a Halifax Liquid Gold paying 0.05% AER.

Yes, I noticed it yesterday too, wondered what had happened. I have e mailed them expressing my displeasure, as has my husband.