recommend me a new online bank

freakin

Hi, i am currently with smile (smilemore account) and am unhappy about having to use two factor authenticaion as it defeats the flexibility of being able to do what i want from where i want.

I pretty much dont go over drawn but dont have loads of money either so rates are not really an issue for me.

glider3560

Halifax
HSBC
Natwest
RBS
Abbey
Lloyds TSB
Plus many more

In no particular order, these all have online current accounts. Take your pick.

premierfella

Smile makes a big play on their online security features and is probably at the top-end of that spectrum, hence the last reply I suspect (i.e. almost every other bank requires less security validation).

Trying to be helpful, if you are averse to card readers you would at the moment cross off NatWest/RBS, Barclays, Nationwide and Co-op (amongst others no doubt).

freakin

premierfella wrote: »

Smile makes a big play on their online security features and is probably at the top-end of that spectrum, hence the last reply I suspect (i.e. almost every other bank requires less security validation).

Trying to be helpful, if you are averse to card readers you would at the moment cross off NatWest/RBS, Barclays, Nationwide and Co-op (amongst others no doubt).

this is great just what i wanted, can anyone else eliminate anyone ?

• [STRIKE]Smile[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]NatWest[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]RBS[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Barclays[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Nationwide[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Co-op[/STRIKE]

gt94sss2

If you want to avoid card readers etc, you are probably best off applying for a HSBC or First Direct account.

HSBC also have the advantage that their internet banking platform is considered one of the best (if not the best)

Regards
Sunil

diable

I have been with First Direct for years and have had no problems with them. If you want to draw a large amount of cash from your account you have to do it from a HSBC branch but you need to call FD to arrange it and sort out a password so can be awkward.

If you just need an account to have money paid in and run your finances and house hold bills then I would say they are ideal, I have 2 current accounts and 2 savings accounts with them and have had no problems at all.

JoseChungsDoomsday

freakin wrote: »

Hi, i am currently with smile (smilemore account) and am unhappy about having to use two factor authenticaion as it defeats the flexibility of being able to do what i want from where i want.

I pretty much dont go over drawn but dont have loads of money either so rates are not really an issue for me.

right, so you want a crap security system - it has to be santander. Good luck!

rb10

As long as you are overdrawn for no more than 60 days per year, and pay at least £1000 into your account, then I'd go for a Halifax Reward account.

This pays you £5 every month, regardless of your balance. The only criterion is that you must have paid £1000 into the account during the previous month (although it doesn't have to stay there).

Halifax do not use card-readers. Instead, they monitor your internet banking use, and if they spot anything suspicious (e.g. unusual transactions, or logging in from an unusual location), they may phone you on a number that they hold to get confirmation before the transaction goes through.

Their online service is generally considered to be one of the best.

freakin

JoseChungsDoomsday wrote: »

right, so you want a crap security system - it has to be santander. Good luck!

Ah your user name doomsday appears a good one, thanks for spreading some nice FUD around. While I cannot comment on Santander personally I can bet that security experts would not describe their security as crap. Two factor is not the be all and end all of security. It does go some way to protect against your average always click yes user but there are alternative ways to implement that are more user friendly. Such as credit card sized or keyring token generators, sms generation etc.

Ultimately it comes down to using sensible practices when it comes to password polices etc and making sure the equipment you are using is free from infection. This should enable you to have many years of trouble free banking. After all I have been with my current bank for a long time before they introduced card readers and have not experienced any issues. I appreciate that these people are getting more and more devious and ingenious but I am probably still more likely to get mugged in the street and asked for my pin number. Which is the trend the car industry is seeing with better security systems implemented in cars people are resorting to just stealing your keys instead.

freakin

gt94sss2, diable and rb10 - thanks for your replies, i will look into these.

eslick

First Direct for me, been with them years, tried others and they arent a patch on FD