Easiest to use online bank?

Bambywamby

My other half wants to open an online bank account - not a current account but an account for online purchases and transactions etc. Which is the best account for ease of use please?

Thank you . x x

ginandtonic1988

I have a coop current/savings account and there website is fairly easy to use. They also have UK call centres which I call regulary when I forget my passwords!!

2108

I use Natwest online banking a lot. To log in you would be required to enter random characters asked from your chosen password and pin number. Your username would be your date of birth followed by 4 numbers which Natwest will provide you with after registering for online banking.

Once logged in things are pretty simple really, navigational links on a column on the left hand side of the website so pretty much a standard format used by many sites people are used to. You'll be able to set up/cancel direct debits and standing orders etc and make transfers also. You can also view your detailed statements up to date and from up to 7 years ago. Although when making a transfer to someone for the first time you are required to authorize them as a "payee" on your account using the card reader they provide. Once you've done this you can make transfers to them without requiring the card reader, this is for added security. All in all if you're able to use this site, you shouldn't generally have any difficulty using online banking. Good luck.

rb10

This question comes up regularly on this forum - if you do a search you'll see countless past threads on it.

The answer is always the same - HSBC and Halifax/Bank of Scotland are best.

I would say that if you can keep the account in credit and pay in £1k per month (e.g. salary) then go for Halifax (for the £5 monthly reward). But if the account will be overdrawn much, then open an HSBC account, as although you won't get any interest on any credit balance, they don't charge as much for overdrafts.

Mikeyorks

Bambywamby wrote: »

not a current account but an account for online purchases and transactions etc. Which is the best account for ease of use please?

A cashback Credit Card - if you pay it off every month. Otherwise you need an account with a Debit Card ....... and they're less safe for online purchases.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/cashback-credit-cards

pramsay13

rb10 wrote: »

This question comes up regularly on this forum - if you do a search you'll see countless past threads on it.

The answer is always the same - HSBC and Halifax/Bank of Scotland are best.

I would say that if you can keep the account in credit and pay in £1k per month (e.g. salary) then go for Halifax (for the £5 monthly reward). But if the account will be overdrawn much, then open an HSBC account, as although you won't get any interest on any credit balance, they don't charge as much for overdrafts.

The OP's question is about ease of use rather than which accounts are best etc.
I have 4 current accounts,
Lloyds TSB
Nationwide
Cahoot
Smile
I think Smile and Cahoot are both easier to use (makes sense as both were set up as internet banks) possibly with Smile just edging it once you're logged in although Smile has more security checks which although understandable can be a bit of a nuisance if you log on constantly.
Smile is part of Co-operative bank so has good ethical policy, UK call centres etc etc.
Other two are fine and usable but just not quite as slick.
I can't comment on any others as I don't have experience although that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite on MSE.:p

Lokolo

pramsay13 wrote: »

The OP's question is about ease of use rather than which accounts are best etc.
I have 4 current accounts,
Lloyds TSB
Nationwide
Cahoot
Smile
I think Smile and Cahoot are both easier to use (makes sense as both were set up as internet banks) possibly with Smile just edging it once you're logged in although Smile has more security checks which although understandable can be a bit of a nuisance if you log on constantly.
Smile is part of Co-operative bank so has good ethical policy, UK call centres etc etc.
Other two are fine and usable but just not quite as slick.
I can't comment on any others as I don't have experience although that doesn't seem to be a prerequisite on MSE.:p

rb10 means thats HSBC is easiest and best to use for online banking (as well as Halifax).

huw01

I can vouch for HSBC's online banking service as being very easy to use.

Also if you require one off payments under the faster payments scheme - HSBC's daily limit is £10,000 whereas Simle / Co-op has a £150 daily limit for faster payments. (I think - but I'm happy for someone to correct me if I am wrong):D

rb10

Lokolo wrote: »

rb10 means thats HSBC is easiest and best to use for online banking (as well as Halifax).

Yes - apologies if my post was unclear.

I meant:

Most people on this forum consider that Halifax and HSBC have the easiest to use / most functional online banking systems.

Of these two, Halifax has the better current account if you're in credit; HSBC is better if you are overdrawn.

D1zzy

rb10 wrote: »

Yes - apologies if my post was unclear.

I meant:

Most people on this forum consider that Halifax and HSBC have the easiest to use / most functional online banking systems.

Of these two, Halifax has the better current account if you're in credit; HSBC is better if you are overdrawn.

HALIFAX on-line service!!!! - clumsy, slow, unpredictable and crashes more times that its alive (and I only use it once a month for collecting fivers)

opinions4u

D1zzy wrote: »

HALIFAX on-line service!!!! - clumsy, slow, unpredictable and crashes more times that its alive (and I only use it once a month for collecting fivers)

It has worked well for me for a good decade, but the last couple of months it has been less reliable.

Probably merging systems with the mighty Lloyds.