Which Current Account - Internet Banking

sssiii

Thanks again all, well no-one has fought A&L's corner in this so I will have to reconsider I think.

I really don't want PIN Sentry but a dongle is OK.

I looks like there isn't a clear winner in the banking sector, i've searched the forum and I can't find one that stands out. I know this is a 'saving' forum but I was hoping saving and customer service could be intertwined.......

Nationwide?

/Edit Nationwide use Pin Sentry

Lokolo

I use HSBC, can't fault them imo.

flossy_splodge

sssiii wrote: »

I think I'm going to try A&L, their internet banking demo looks good.

Heaven help you!

Before I take the plunge can someone point me in the direction of the negative points about dealing with A&L?[quote/]
My daughter set up an A&L online account when she recently moved into a shared flat. It has been a disastrous system.
The other flat mate did the set up so when my daughter wanted to log on to check payments etc their system recognised a different computer was being used and blocked her log on - even with all the log on details. The other person claims she has not set up half the questions NOW being asked.
The end result is the account is frozen and no-one can do anything with it and they won't accept telephone calls to sort it out.
I'm not going to close my Barclays account (yet) so I can move across at my own pace whilst finding out A&L's foibles.
I also have a current account with A&L and had all sorts of trouble with it due to their communications being very unclear. I am only staying with it to the end of the guaranteed interest period then I shall transfer elsewhere.
I also bank with LLoyds and their internet banking has been 100% troublefree.
Good luck.
Thanks
Simon

456789

Milarky wrote: »

no obvious free phone number to use to ask for

you can get them to phone you https://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/callback.asp

menhim_2

sssiii wrote: »

Thanks again all, well no-one has fought A&L's corner in this so I will have to reconsider I think.

I really don't want PIN Sentry but a dongle is OK.

I looks like there isn't a clear winner in the banking sector, i've searched the forum and I can't find one that stands out. I know this is a 'saving' forum but I was hoping saving and customer service could be intertwined.......

Nationwide?

/Edit Nationwide use Pin Sentry

Steer clear of Nationwide if you want to avoid the card reader, you need to use it for every transaction

I have an A&L account, opened for the freebies and 8% interest rate for a year, so not used as my main bank account although I do shuffle payments in and out during the month and have a couple of standing orders set up. I have no problems with A&L but I have never had to call on customer service for any reason. Know someone else with A&L who think they are the best bank ever, so I guess it depends on personal experiences.

If you do go the A&L route, sign up on a cashback site if your not already and apply via there, TopCashBack give £50 so worth signing up even if you never use it again )

rb10

I find that Halifax's internet banking is very good. You don't need a cardreader, and as far as I know they have not announced any plans to introduce this either.

It's very simple to see your balance on the screen, see recent transactions clearly laid out, switch between different accounts you hold with them, make payments to other accounts, cancel direct debits, ... the list goes on.

I don't know if getting things paper-free is something you'd be interested in, but they do this much better than other banks I have used. For each account, you can choose whether to have statements and/or letters online or by post. Other banks will claim to be 'green' but still insist on sending letters to you by post, even when you are supposedly paper-free. HBOS have far more flexibility here.

And I also like the fact that you can speak to a person, at no cost to yourself (even if, like me, you use a mobile that has no free minutes on!). They don't insist on doing it by email/"secure message".

menhim_2

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Heaven help you!

I messed up when I first used A&L banking (got my passwords confused) and got locked out after 3 attempts. I had to call into a branch with proof of identity which was a bit inconvenient but was dealt with quickly and efficiently. Guess that means I have had to use customer services ... and found them helpful ;-)

Have never had any problems logging on from different computers. The only thing I have to be careful with is using the same computer as someone else with an A&L account. The customer ID defaults to previous log on and if not noticed will cause problems if you then try and log on with your own password. 3 unsuccessful attempts and you have locked their account, which doesnt please them very much ;-)

I also like the little A&L feature of showing you a unique image and phrase so you know you are on a genuine A&L site. Not really needed if you are sensible with your online banking but does give a feeling of added security.

Overall I would rate A&L quite high from personal experience, obviously helped by the fact they are one of the few banks paying interest rates, and quite good rate, on current account. Pity it only lasts a year. Higher faster payment limit would help as well.

menhim_2

rb10 wrote: »

I find that Halifax's internet banking is very good. You don't need a cardreader, and as far as I know they have not announced any plans to introduce this either.

".

Another vote here for Halifax, have had an account with them for years and never had a problem. Probably one of the best online banking facilities, even better now they have raised their faster banking limit, just wish it was a bit more reliable. the £5/month interest is a nice added bonus but from what I have read on here, not the best account if you ever need to go overdrawn.

DCFC79

Internet banking is the same from whichever bank you go with, ive got an account with rbs, barclays and natwest and i use internet banking with each of them and they all fine to use, you get free anti virus with barclays if you open a current account

jimmyjim_uk

I wouldn't recommend A&L's internet banking (even though they are my main account).

There are three balances on screen when you log in which can be confusing:

balance
available balance
running balance

At times they never tie up (and can be for days), especially when there are a lot of transactions coming out at once) and it can make keeping a track of your finances very difficult.

I used to have a Halifax account and their online service was fantastic. Transactions where live which I really miss now I have A&L.