Good internet banks

CA

Can anybody recomend good internet banks.

I am currently with the alliance & leicester but the website is poor! transactions not listed in statement but effected in balance, transactions listed in statement not effected in balance, 2 days to transfer money between MY current accounts with the A&L.

What I would like is "real time" transfers, accurate balance, transparancy in the money in the accounts. Is this too much to ask?

I do not expect real time transactions between banks but within the same bank should not be too much to ask.

Gambler

I use cahoot, savings rate not the best but I like the screens, instant transfers etc.

Only grumble is you can't download statements.

CopperPlate_2

smile offer real time transfers between their accounts except visa which takes two days.

Bill payments leave the account at the end of the day.

Cash withdrawals via ATM appear on account immediately and cash paid in via the Post Office clears immediately.

Excellent messaging service and helpful staff.

Would never leave them as having tried the others, I know that the grass isn't always greener on the other side - despite tempting interest rates.

PP9552099

I switched to A&L for the offers at the time but am switching back to First Direct because "the website is poor! transactions not listed in statement but effected in balance, transactions listed in statement not effected in balance, 2 days to transfer money between MY current accounts with the A&L."

CopperPlate_2

Try the smile demo. Similar to FD but much better IMO.

chrisw2k

I also tried A&L for a bit, but as you and the other poster points out their online service is poor, and their customer service even worse! Switched back to Smile and very happy with them!

KTF

I guess all banks are 'internet banks' these days. It sounds like you are looking for a bank with good internet banking.

Wirenth

IF has a very good website. If you have an overdraft facility with it, it correctly orders your credits before your debits. I.e. if you have a direct debit going out at 9am and only manage to transfer money to the current account from the savings jar at 11pm, the website will place the incomings before the outgoings.

I have an A&L account as well (just for the interest, lol) and share your frustration with their clunky and illogical website. It makes it almost impossible to see a 'true' snapshot of your account.

roger_c

Can anyone confirm if any other bank has a bill pay system similar to HSBC. Where they have a list of PAYEEs and you just select who you want pay money to from the list (has utilities, HM Revenue & Customs, store cards, credit cards, local authority council tax etc).

I've found this facility to be excellent, and any bill payments are shown on your account real-time.

Arkad

I agree that A+L's internet banking is not particularly great. Other Internet banks I have experience of are:

Capital 1 - Not very good in presentation. Features are what I'd expect.
ICICI - Not good in features nor presentation (but, in my experience, nothing about ICICI is very good!)
Lloyds TSB - Very well laid out, simple to use and lots of features including the Bill Pay option mentioned by roger_c. The only annoying thing is they have a 'My Offers' section at the bottom of the screen, showing me products I don't want and I can't seem to shift it.

Lloyds TSB have a demo of their system here, if you want to give it a try

Hope this helps,

Arkad

Meerkat

Can anyone recommend a basic bank account?