Good internet banks

sofa_surfer

Meerkat wrote:

Can anyone recommend a basic bank account?

forget the national footbal team sponsorship - you will get very good internet (IMHO) banking, to tie this back to the OP

Norbert_Colon

smile are OK but in my experience they don't always respond quickly to messages. If you want quick action you have to phone them - 0870 number unfortunately.

CopperPlate_2

smile have an 0161 number instead of the 0870 one. 01614771927 takes you through to the same service and if you use call1899 or similar, you'll get the whole call for a flat rate instead of charged per minute like 0870.

They also have a list of the bill payees similar to HSBC and FD which is usually quite comprehensive.

I'd agree in principle with Norbert Colon about speediness in responding, but if it was something urgent I'd phone them. Other than that I've not found them overly slow - like some others I could mention; NW being one.

debbie42

CA wrote:

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

I'm happy with the Halifax: it does all the above. It also allows easy transfers of money to all the bills I need paying, and setting up of savings accounts so I can salt money away for individual purposes.

Rafter

Never really got why people are such fans of A&L on this site.

OK I could earn £20 extra a year in interest by switching from first direct and could earn £50 in incentive for doing so, but after all the horror stories, actually I'm really happy where I am!

I really get the point of switching gas or electricity supplier because the level of service is less important.

However service is really important with my main bank and switching after 10 years to an alternative who I know have a poorer service record, who are less recommended by their customers and who will probably slash my initially juicy interest bonus after 12 months seems rather pointless.

R

miketebb

I would recommend the Halifax.

Good clear website.

Realtime transfers between your accounts.

Saves details of bill payments for you to use next time. (such as credit card bills).

Pays 5% interest up to £2,500. Websaver accounts pay 4.75% and can be set up online.

They deal with all the hassle of transferring your account for you (direct debits etc.)

Voyager2002

I agree with the thoughts of #16. However, I prefer Smile to First Direct, mainly because I approve of ethical banking and trust them more. First Direct have been guilty of offering savings accounts with high initial rates that then fall to ludicrous levels once they have sucked you in. However, First Direct give a far better (and less expensive) telephone service.

I think that these two are far and away the best banks, in terms of the quality of on-line service offered. While I use others (Halifax, A and L) to get incentives and for particular high-interest savings products, I would never switch my main banking away from Smile.

Arkad

I made £200 in referrals/incentives by opening an A+L Premier Direct account without closing my main bank account, which is still with Lloyds TSB. All I had to do was credit the account with £500 every month, which took about 5 minutes. I didn't even have to use my own money as they gave me a £950 0% overdraft.

Opening a new account doesn't mean having to close the old one.

roger_c

I've used Halifax, HSBC and A&L. I also went and had a look at the demo website for LloydsTSB internet banking.

I still find HSBC the best, Lloyds second, Halifax then A&L. That's just my opinion. I did have a Smile savings account, therefore no bill-pay option. Internet banking really is the most important feature for me now, other than overdraft rates as I do everything online.

Jake'sGran

Norbert_Colon wrote:

smile are OK but in my experience they don't always respond quickly to messages. If you want quick action you have to phone them - 0870 number unfortunately.

I have been with SMILE for years and never phone them. Like some of the others here I think they are good and, in fact, they regularly win awards.
Through my own stupidity I have just found myself with a large amount in my current account as another good rate bank have not presented a cheque but at least I could instantly transfer it to my Smile savings account at 4.5%. It came from ING so, thank goodness, I am not losing much. Also, I do find Smile answer messages quickly.