First Direct Internet Banking

GemzyKate

I have recently moved all my bank accounts from Santander to First Direct.

FD's customer service on the telephone has been absolutely brilliant so far and I really cannot fault it. However, I just cannot get used to using their old fashioned internet banking. I am really shocked that a bank that has supposedly won awards for it's online banking, lacks so many 'standard' online banking features.

Although it's simple things like the fact that you can't see your available balance on the main screen, you can't nickname accounts and the online statements offer little information, it's all things that matter to me when banking online.

It seems that First Direct have no intention of updating their internet banking anytime soon, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a bank with good online banking? I really don't want to go back to using my Santander accounts, and paying their ridiculous monthly fee's, but their internet banking is so much better (and that really pains me to say) than First Direct!

Any advice / recommendations would help.

MoneySaverLog

Personally I like the way Lloyds TSB do their internet banking screens. Much better than First Direct who have not really moved out of the dark ages with their internet banking site.

Mikazaru

Natwest banking is good. Can see all available balances on the home screen and can nickname all your accounts, they also have a quick transfer box on the home screen to move between accounts. The only problem I have is there's no quick way to set up standing orders to your own Natwest savings accounts, you have to have the account details but apart from that small issue it's by far the best I've used.
Was just thinking of transferring to First Direct but this has put me off now!

alanq

Nationwide
http://www.nationwide.co.uk/internetbanking/whatyoucando.htm

or

NatWest
http://www.natwest.com/commercial/online-services/g1/bankline/demonstration.ashx

are the best I've used.

I agree that FD online banking is poor by comparison. They spent a lot of time redesigning their website while consulting customers. The feedback on their own site was overwhelmingly to leave the website alone and improve online banking. Once the changes to the web site had been made they response was generally that things were worse than they had been previously. This was some months ago. I expect an online banking update will come eventually but who knows when.

Update: I have just found this "We are currently working on a number of changes within internet banking and are hoping to release them before the end of the year." (that's 2012! my emphasis)
http://www.lab.firstdirect.com/live-tests/firstdirectcom-redesign-update-1

innovate

GemzyKate wrote: »

I really don't want to go back to using my Santander accounts, and paying their ridiculous monthly fee's

Sounds like you are regularly living in your overdraft? Your problem isn't really solved by finding a bank with a good Internet system, but by getting yourself out of the overdraft. But I am sure you know that.

jen245

I bank with Natwest, their online banking is great. The only thing that irks me is that their credit card servicing is separate, although you can see cc balance and transactions on the main banking screen

baby_frogmella

Yes fd's online banking is stuck in the dark ages, however according to their twitter team it's going to be revamped sometime in 2013. Their iPhone app is very useful though.

barak

GemzyKate wrote: »

I have recently moved all my bank accounts from Santander to First Direct.

FD's customer service on the telephone has been absolutely brilliant so far and I really cannot fault it. However, I just cannot get used to using their old fashioned internet banking. I am really shocked that a bank that has supposedly won awards for it's online banking, lacks so many 'standard' online banking features.....

I think it was for telephone banking that they won awards - it sounds as if they are still doing a good job!

GemzyKate

Thanks everyone, you've been more than helpful. First Direct are brilliant in terms of customer service, but I will use internet banking far more than I will ever phone them. Perhaps I should have done a bit more research before switching, but hey ho! You live and learn.

oh, and as for this "helpful" response:

innovate wrote: »

Sounds like you are regularly living in your overdraft? Your problem isn't really solved by finding a bank with a good Internet system, but by getting yourself out of the overdraft. But I am sure you know that.

LMAO! :rotfl:Nope, i'm not "regularly living in my overdraft", perhaps my use of "monthly" gave you the wrong end of the stick. My apologies. If you must know, I use it every now and again but very much prefer not to. However, when I do use it, I don't expect to be charged £10 for going £12 overdrawn. Maybe I should've gone into the countless other reasons I have left Santander, but tbh it's irrelevant to my question, rather like your response.

Thanks again everyone.

seriousDFW

I love the FD internet banking - it does everything I want, more than other services I've used.

I like the fact it looks plain and simple, because I hate the other banks' internet banking systems with colourful, annoying adverts everywhere.

It would be great to see available balance without having to press 'make payment' but it's the only think I'd change. I like the way statements are displayed - it's really clear to read and you can actually do a lot of things on there, including secure messaging which not all banks do.

But I'm not bothered about nicknaming my accounts, if that's important to you something like Natwest or Halifax might be better.

Gromitt

GemzyKate wrote: »

If you must know, I use it every now and again but very much prefer not to. However, when I do use it, I don't expect to be charged £10 for going £12 overdrawn.

Then you may wish to read the T&Cs of the FD 1st account, specifically the part where say they reserve the right to charge you £20 to renew your fee-free overdraft. It seems (not guaranteed in any way) that if you use it regularly, they offer you renewal at the end of the term for £20. If you don't use it much, they offer it for free.