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New (Basic?) Bank Account - HSBC, NatWest, other?

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Comments

  • rb10 wrote: »
    HSBC Basic Account: No debit card, only cashcard (for use at ATMs). Good reputation for both customer service and internet banking.

    Natwest Basic Account: Comes with a restricted Visa Debit card (so there are some places where you cannot use it). Poor customer service, and poor internet banking.

    I've found RBS's online banking to be very good, and judging from Natwest's website they both run the exact same online banking system, except Natwest's is purple and RBS's is blue.

    What do you not like about Natwest's online banking?
  • rb10
    rb10 Posts: 6,334 Forumite
    JacksterD wrote: »
    What do you not like about Natwest's online banking?

    1) The whole of the right hand side of the page is taken up by white space. This could be used far more productively.
    2) Most of the rest of the page is taken up by adverts.
    3) You have to use three separate pages to log in to your account.
    4) When you have logged in, you can only see very limited info on the main page. So it'll say, for example 'Card Transaction', without telling you any more. To see a statement that's of any use, you have to go through several more pages. And even then, it'll be heavily encoded by random codes that presumably mean something to those people who work for Natwest, but are just gobbledegook to the rest of us.
    5) If you go in on 'Account Admin' or 'Change Settings', there's very little that you can actually do online - nothing like the range of things that other banks have.

    Have you used a decent online service? Say, Halifax or HSBC? Compare Natwest's attempt to one of those banks' online banking services and you will quickly see where it is lacking.
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Surely with the forthcoming sale of RBS there has to be some uncertainty about their future account plans?
  • bev309
    bev309 Posts: 186 Forumite
    I've had a step account for years now, & find it to be more than adequate. It allows you to set up DD's, standing orders, instant payments to other banks on faster payment system (not on weekends though which is one of my gripes) & also receive CHAPS/BACS/Faster payments. It gives you a visa debit card - haven't had anywhere refuse it yet. Another 'benefit' is that should you bounce a DD, the charge is now only £5, although that is something to try to avoid :rotfl:. I find the online banking great - does it really matter how the page is laid out? The only difference I find between Natwest & my Lloyds current account is that you can order a new card online with Lloyds, but not Natwest, haven't come across anything else I would need to do online but couldn't. I personally prefer the log on with Natwest as it is secure & checks the date & time you last logged on which Lloyds don't. I am in the process of hopefully upgrading to a full current account with Natwest, but if not I will gladly keep the Step account:T
  • davethorp
    davethorp Posts: 1,578 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I bank with Natwest and have the step account. Never had any major problems with them. The internet banking is nowhere near as bad as some people are making out (and in my experience is better than halifax's which bombards me with adverts for products that are not suitable for me - why offer me a credit card if you are just going to decline me, why offer me motor insurance when I dont drive etc etc). The visa debit card works pretty much everywhere, instore and online. Only place I've had it fail is Jessops instore.

    Bev mentioned the £5 charge for DD's which is great but there is another thing with DD's which is even better. Whereas with some banks you need to have the funds in the day before for a DD to clear, with natwest (and presumably RBS also) as long as you pay the funds in before close of business the day it goes out, the DD will clear. We use this to allow us to put all our DD money into an esaver account and just transfer the money from the esaver to my bill payment account as and when the DDs go out.

    Oh and natwest report to the CRAs. Great for getting the green zeros up
  • bev309
    bev309 Posts: 186 Forumite
    Wasn't aware of that - thanks Dave!:beer:
  • catflea
    catflea Posts: 6,620 Forumite
    edited 16 February 2010 at 6:25PM
    Tianlong wrote: »
    Thanks very much for all the opinions and advice folks, it really is appreciated. I think the major pluspoint for NatWest is the Visa debit card, despite restrictions on it.

    There are no restrictions, although in the past you got a Solo card (instead of a Maestro) with RBS/NWs new relationship with visa you get a FULL AUTH Visa debit (not an electron, or restricted) - the only difference to a "normal" card being that there is no cheque garuntee.
    JacksterD wrote: »
    I've found RBS's online banking to be very good, and judging from Natwest's website they both run the exact same online banking system, except Natwest's is purple and RBS's is blue.

    Correct, System is identical. IMHO it is significantly better to use that HSBCs offering - far far more intuitive and more secure (note: my opinion only) RBS/NW have additional security procedures in place to cover new payment instructions etc
    davethorp wrote: »
    Bev mentioned the £5 charge for DD's which is great but there is another thing with DD's which is even better. Whereas with some banks you need to have the funds in the day before for a DD to clear, with natwest (and presumably RBS also) as long as you pay the funds in before close of business the day it goes out, the DD will clear. We use this to allow us to put all our DD money into an esaver account and just transfer the money from the esaver to my bill payment account as and when the DDs go out.

    Not quite, Cut off is 2.45pm (although you will be told 2.30!)


    And for the poster commenting on poor Customer Service from Natwest? Having dealt with both them and HSBC I can safely say that NW far far far exceed what you get from HSBC in terms of day to day stuff (attitude of Branch staff, telephone service etc) NW have always been focused on First Point of Contact resolution of concerns and queries - HSBC seem to want to fob you off for everything.
    Proud of who, and what, I am. :female::male:
    :cool:
  • Thanks for the info Bev and Dave, could really do with this account. I've recently applied for the Step a/c, and wasn't aware of all these advantages :beer:.

    I also have a Co-op a/c which is a good basic account. Have never had any bother with the Co-op and their customer service at the bank and on the phone is very professional. The online banking is fine and is very secure. I have a visa electron card, which some people seem to really dislike, but it's never failed me and i'm happy with it.

    Big thumbs up for the Co-op :)

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  • catflea
    catflea Posts: 6,620 Forumite
    Quick tip. The bank will try and get you to sign up to "advantage blue" - dont bother. The breakdown cover is limited to 10 miles and the phone insurance isnt great either. :beer:
    Proud of who, and what, I am. :female::male:
    :cool:
  • davethorp
    davethorp Posts: 1,578 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    catflea wrote: »
    Not quite, Cut off is 2.45pm (although you will be told 2.30!)

    Close enough :D

    Normally if I do this, the transfer is made first thing in morning once I see the DD has gone out anyway. Means I get a few pence interest whilst the DD money sits in my e-savings anyway
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