Good internet banks

margaretclare

I changed from Cahoot to Smile, have been really happy about the change.

Margaret

Mikeyorks

As posts #15 and #17 - find the Halifax internet facilities offer everything you cite as being a requirement.

Very stable system - sole problem I have with it is not being able to put my accounts in the order I would wish them. Would like to put passive accounts such as ISAs to the bottom of the list and not have them mixed with 'active' Savings accounts

IFA

A&L are cr*p, that's why they are so desperate to get more customers with the £50 offer.

moonrakerz

My whole family ditched A & L when they closed my son's account after he made them give back over £2000 they had unlawfully taken from him. I was getting weary with them anyway, their 'phone service was not good and the last re-hash of their web site didn't seem overly happy with Firefox.
Two of us went to First Direct and two to Nat West, every one seems happy so far.

Jake'sGran

IFA wrote:

A&L are cr*p, that's why they are so desperate to get more customers with the £50 offer.

There was much ancouragement on one forum for people to join A&E monthly account. I looked into it and actually opened an account but they are not for me. Just too messy by far. People were telling me how you can have all these accounts running so that there is only the £2500 in the monthly one but what a hassle. There are lots of other more interesting things to do on the Internet than spend my time keeping track of that lot.

Cypher

I'm with First Direct as my main bank, customer service and internet banking are first class. UK call centres with real people answering the phone :T , not an automated line or foreign call centre in sight.

I forgot to say transfers between your first direct accounts are instant. Even when paying first direct visa bills etc you can pay right on the last minute, the transaction still takes 3 days but then its back dated to the request date.

babe_ruth_3

I know that nationwide are not a bank but their online banking is great. Every transaction (ie transfer between accounts) is instant and any deposits at a branch show intstantly too.

I also have accounts with a&l but their customer service is abismall. They play games with you on the phone and the branch staff seem to have their hands tied. Usually all enquires comes back to a telephone number and an 0870 one at that.

Jake'sGran

For Babe Ruth

I have bonds with the Nationide but for banking I found that I had to transfer money into the Flex Account from the savings account and this transfer took a few days which I thought was ridiculous when it is with the same organisation. At least with Smile the transfer is instant.

nataliej

I'd heartily recommend cahoot.

- The website is easy to use and well laid out.
- Their online help is good.
- Friendly and helpful customer service staff.
- UK based
- They 'feel' nice. That may sound weird, but I enjoy banking with them.

As a bit of background, I've also tried HSBC, Barclays, Nationwide, IF, Citibank (yuck), Smile/Co-op (mortgage only) and I'd rate them all lower.

In fact, the only internet bank that I'd rate higher than cahoot is egg. They have a fantastic website, and despite lower interest rates than they used to have, I've found their staff useful, freindly and informative and the website is an example of how internet banking can and should be done. My only grumble is that it doesn't work with Firefox!

Precious_Thing

Does Smile work with Firefox?

I've been with NatWest for 20 years and want to change. I use internet banking all the time and want to continue this with whoever I change to.

Smile seem to be getting great reviews in this thread. I've been putting off changing for ages just for the fear of something going wrong with the DDs etc.
I've just had to take a salary cut due to illness forcing me to reduce my hours at work, but I can pay in over £500 pcm. I don't want anything to go wrong with the change, as my anxiety levels are high enough already

If I change to Smile, what happens if I need to pay in a cheque? Can I do this at the Post Office?

Thanks a lot,

Precious Thing.