Halifax changing to paper forms ???

jopov

After a nice holiday abroad, today I entered my local branch of Halifax to find massive queues. The reason was that now for each transaction we all have to fill in a withdrawal or deposit form, putting bank account details, sort codes etc on. I was told that this 'makes the process user friendly and does away with the putting of bank books into scanning machines' (which they still did at the end of the transaction). Also I could not sign the form until at the counter in front of the staff. People behind me wanting to withdraw cash via their debit/credit cards were also made to fill in withdrawal forms. I last used this method in the 1970's and early 1980's so cannot see how this is 'enhancing the customer experience' as stated at the branch. Everyone in the bank was complaining bitterly over this extra admin which adds time to the process for both customers and staff. I heard at least 4 people saying they would change banks so how is this helping the bank?
A VERY backward step in my opinion.

Incyder

This is what they do in Lloyds and now they own Halifax the proceedures are likely to be changing to the Lloyds version. I have a stash of forms at home so when I go into Lloyds its already filled out.

rb10

Agreed that it is an outdated system; it does seem as though we are going back in time here!

You can order a paying-in book for any account that you hold with the bank. This will basically be the same as the forms that you fill out in the branch, but will already have your details printed on them so you only have to add the amounts and dates.

jennifernil

It is said to be only temporary, until about July/August.

But I agree it seems really silly! Have told them that in our branch.

pinkdalek

Get a card account with Chip & PIN then you can pay in at the machines and draw out there too and spend your money with your debit card.

Passbooks are something that we had in the 1970s too but people would still rather earn next to nothing in interest by having them rather than looking at alternatives.

The Halifax will be on Chip & PIN in July so that will help remove the need for forms, unless of course you are still stuck in a time warp and have a passbook......It's very rare that I have to visit a bank branch such as my Halifax, I find their online service excellent, their staff are always friendly and helpful even when they are mega busy, they must be doing something right if people want to queue up and wait for them if you ask me!

What is so hard about filling in a form with your account number and sort code on anyway?

Dandp

The Halifax have adopted the same system that they use at Lloyds, and will be using chip & pin in July which will remove the need for these customers to fill in a slip.

The old Halifax system was very basic in its ability, which is why it appeared simple to use.

[Deleted User]

Dandp wrote: »

The Halifax have adopted the same system that they use at Lloyds, and will be using chip & pin in July which will remove the need for these customers to fill in a slip.

The old Halifax system was very basic in its ability, which is why it appeared simple to use.

in sense the new system is ok but will take time for it to work (e.g. Lloyds has Chip and PIN already)

coolesticeking

Going to say... you *can* still pay in at Lloyds TSB via a paying-in slip but i've paid money in and out with my Card & PIN..

Never used the Paying-in book they sent me once...

Old_Wrinkly

rb10 wrote: »

Agreed that it is an outdated system; it does seem as though we are going back in time here!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/tomorrowsworld/8012.shtml

wolfie2011

Halifax claim asking clients to start completing paper forms is more efficient. More efficient for them more like. I regularly pay bags of coins over the counter so yesterday when asked to complete a paying in slip I simply and politely told the cashier that I couldn't write. Problem solved!

I didn't even need to provide a signature. They dare not ask if I was joking would they? IMHO, the more customers do this, the sooner they will see the error of their ways.

jambosans

wolfie2011 wrote: »

Halifax claim asking clients to start completing paper forms is more efficient. More efficient for them more like. I regularly pay bags of coins over the counter so yesterday when asked to complete a paying in slip I simply and politely told the cashier that I couldn't write. Problem solved!

I didn't even need to provide a signature. They dare not ask if I was joking would they? IMHO, the more customers do this, the sooner they will see the error of their ways.

This has to be the most ridiculous suggestion I have ever read on MSE.

They know you can write, they will have your signature on record. They probably know if you're going to go to such foolish levels to avoid filling in a paying in slip, that insisting would only cause them more of an earache.