First Direct.....

Locana

Hello,

Just used my account for the first time, been looking foward to having this account etc. But.......

Having made a purchase and withdrawing money yesterday, I have just gone onto online banking (which is not that great!) and although the withdrawal is there, the purchase hasn't been earmarked, so I dont have a true reflection of whats left in my account. Is this normal?

If so, this and the basic internet banking may be the reason to claim the £100 for leaving. Although I do love good customer service, I never really have to call the bank so not sure if its worth staying.

Lo

VfM4meplse

Stick with it. Complaints about FD are as rare as hens teeth.

Locana

I know, and I feel so bad! But, I'm off shopping today all over the place with my kid.. So say I want to spend 200, I could have checked my barclays mobile banking later on to see how much exactly I have left, whereas FD will tell me I still have 200. I could get around it by keeping all the receipts and totting it all up in the shops or keeping a mental note in my head, but I shouldnt have to! I'm a little disappointed, but I will stick with it I guess...

steve1980

Surely you know what was in your account before you started shopping?

Locana

That's not what I'm saying, I know what's in my account - say 200. I want to know what's left whilst I'm out shopping. I may have spent 50, but if I check my FD account it would still say 200...

Gromitt

Surely you don't go shopping every day though, right? So it'll soon catch up.

I typically only shop at the weekends, and spend on a cashback CC (only use debit card for cash withdrawals). I can quite easily guess how much I've spent in a day without having to get out my receipts.

Locana

No I don't shop everyday. But that's not what I'm saying! Say I have 200 in my account and over a few days I spend on whatever, shopping, bus pass, whatever. The true amount I have left in my account won't reflect what Internet banking tells me there is. I'm only saying it doesn't earmark as soon as I spend, and I don't like that element of it. I might forget I purchased a magazine or something for lunch.

pmduk

I'm afraid it's up to you to keep control of the money in your account.

Locana

Yes it is I guess. Better get a pen and pad.

mrmajika

Hopefully this reply is a little more helpful...:)

When in Internet Banking, click 'payments and transfers' then click to make a payment. Select to pay from your FD current account and click next. On the next page, it shows your available balance, which takes into account both your overdraft and earmarked funds.

It's a stupid way to have to access this information and is far more easily available on competitor internet banking sites. It's a work around for the time being.

I joined FD 3.5 years ago and I'm mostly happy, however, their internet banking has remained largely unchanged through that time and it all looks and feels quite old fashioned and basic. Fingers crossed that they update it sooner rather than later, as they are being left behind by others who are far more user friendly and functional.

HTH:beer:

Locana

Thanks so much for that! It's silly that they won't show you available balance on the main screen.. A simple thing like that could be a decider for some people, as I use Internet banking heavily and rarely call banks.

Thanks you very much!