new halifax in-branch computer systems

1jim

Have just been into a Halifax branch in Nottingham, today was the first day of a new computer system:mad:. Queues a mile long!!
It seems that you now have to complete a paying in or withdrawl slip for transactions but not to sign until you get to the counter

I have passbook accounts (childrens regular savers which mature into save4it) and wanted to transfer these into my ISA account. I used to be able to take the passbook to the counter and say "Can you transfer x amount from this account into the other account".... this was duely done and a reciept issued.
Today I had to fill in 2 forms, one to withdraw the money from one account, one to pay in to the isa account (was doing this for 2accounts so needed to complete 4 forms). But then didnt get a receipt for paying in, the cashier said I didnt need one.....now you can call me mistrusting but if Im paying in over £1800 into an account I want a receipt to confirm its been paid in (the pass book was maked as being withdrawn in cash) so she had to print me off a mini-statement
Maybe its just me but this seems like a really backward step for the Halifax and presume its a result of the integration with lloydstsb

compare this to cooperative bank (I bank with smile), went to pay in cash and cheques today,,,, handed over debit card, cashier swiped it, paid in cash/cheques and gave me a till reciept....job done, no messing and everyone knows that the transaction has gone according to plan.

sorry bit of a rant but it really does seem that this new branch system is a retrograde step for the halifax, glad I only have to do it a few times a year...had been toying with moving accounts back to halifax but think I will stick with smile after all

opinions4u

presume its a result of the integration with lloydstsb

Yup.

had been toying with moving accounts back to halifax but think I will stick with smile after all

I believe card transactions will be driven by a chip and pin machine from August. So life may be a tad easier from then if you're using a card.

backinbusiness

I hate this too - luckily don't have to do it too often.

Very much a retrograde step.

Counter staff assure me this is a temporary workaround until the summer - when you will again be able to present your card, and use a keypad to input your pin.

backinbusiness

snap - opinions

1jim

Just seems so odd, they could have waited until the summer, now they are retraining customers in this method and in the summer changing again.

I also couldnt believe that they were was no way for them to issue a receipt for money paid in, that seems very odd, they gave me a mini statment which showed payments in which did the job but this was after me asking and the cashier telling me there was no way to get proof of paying in

backinbusiness

bonkers and backwards

rb10

Receipts are now given on request rather than automatically.

You do not need to complete a paying-in slip if you pay in through the Immediate Deposit Machine (for cash and cheques, deposits show up instantly). This works in the same way as it used to - just put your card in, and it'll print you a receipt.

If you want pre-printed paying-in slips (i.e. already have your account details filled in, you just have to put in the date and amount) then phone up or ask in a branch, and they will send you a paying-in book.

On the first day of any new computer system things will be difficult. It does get better though. Once staff and customers are used to the new system you will find that transactions tend to be even quicker than before.

1jim

rb10 wrote: »

Receipts are now given on request rather than automatically. I was told I couldnt have a reciept, I still dont have a receipt, I asked for a receipt. It was only on pointing out that I was not happy at paying so much in with out proof and that I always used to get proof that I was offered a mini statment printed on A4 paper

You do not need to complete a paying-in slip if you pay in through the Immediate Deposit Machine (for cash and cheques, deposits show up instantly). This works in the same way as it used to - just put your card in, and it'll print you a receipt. I dont think this works for non-card based accounts eg Isas does it....in any regards I wanted to transfer from a book based account to an ISA, could be wrong though

If you want pre-printed paying-in slips (i.e. already have your account details filled in, you just have to put in the date and amount) then phone up or ask in a branch, and they will send you a paying-in book. was not advised of this, was told I could take a handful of blank forms home with me to fill in for next time though, no mention of pre-printed ones either from the multiple greeters telling people waht to do, the cashier doing the transaction, or from the person behind the cashier telling her how to do the transaction

On the first day of any new computer system things will be difficult. It does get better though. Once staff and customers are used to the new system you will find that transactions tend to be even quicker than before Presumably that is until it changes again in the summer?.

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rb10

1jim wrote: »

I was told I couldnt have a reciept, I still dont have a receipt, I asked for a receipt.

As you said, it's their first day of the new system. Presumably just a mistake on the part of the cashier. Going forward, you will be able to have a receipt should you wish to have one.

1jim wrote: »

I dont think this works for non-card based accounts eg Isas does it....in any regards I wanted to transfer from a book based account to an ISA, could be wrong though

Yes - so if you pay cash/cheques into your current account then you don't need a paying-in slip.

If simply transferring money from one account to another then online/telephone banking is far easier - saves the trip into the branch.

1jim wrote: »

Presumably that is until it changes again in the summer?.

The changes in the summer will be minor compared to what's happening now.

Counter staff have to learn a brand new computer system, that is completely different to what they are used to. They are bound to take a few days to settle in to it.

1jim

but it seems that the supervisiors (for every 2 cashiers there was a hovering person telling them how to do it) dont know how to issue receipts either

I dont think I can use phone banking to transfer money from a childs save4it to my isa can I?

This just seems such a backwards step for the bank and not one that seems to bring any benefit to customers (are there any customer benefits to this change?).
As I said my next trip was to the cooperative bank to pay into my smile account (now the coop are not really known for cutting edge IT systems) but this was such a better customer experience.

pinkdalek

http://www.halifax.co.uk/HelpCentre/Important-changes-to-your-counter-service/

Click the above link taken from their website.

Halifax's old counter system was over 20yrs old and dated, could only process transactions methodically and in effect especially if someone was processing many transactions at the counter took longer. Their newer system, although different to what you are used to is far more speedier, and secure. They are able now to process bank giro payments at the counters, a service they could not offer in the past.
You are able to request paying in books for your accounts which might make it easier than having to fill out forms. As for signing a withdrawal slip, that procedure is not much different to their older system, except you had to wait whilst the cashier printed the slip for you. Now you can take some away, fill them out at home and then hand in on your visit. Yes it might feel slow at first but remember it's new for the staff too at least give them some space whilst they get used to it!!
Once they go on Chip & PIN it will be quicker too as you won't require slips as everything will be verified by PIN.