First Direct Internet Banking

baby_frogmella

As a good example of how efficient FD are, the other day i forgot my FD online banking user id (stupid of me i know). Called them on their 0113 number, was given the user id in less than 1 minute. Now imagine calling another bank....please wait 2 weeks while we post it your home address....sorry the dept is closed, please call after the weekend....please take your passport, driving licence & dog's vaccination certificate to your local branch 20 miles away and they will be happy to provide you with your online banking user name

martley

I think FD's customer base is just more discerning and less impressed by flashy but ultimately no more functional internet banking services.[/QUOTE]

What a silly thing to say. There seems to be some kind of opinion on the part of some people that FD has an elite customer base that sets them apart from the rest of us. All the banks care about is making money and if the website is as lacklustre as people have been saying I'm very glad that I was recently turned down by them. And I consider my lifestyle to be good. I run my own business and have a good wage that I put into Smile every month. I actually actively move away away from such elitist attitudes if I sense them. I find it distasteful to be honest. Smile's site doesn't sound that much better than FD to be honest and it seriously needs an update and overall revamp. But they are launching a mobile app next week and that will make things easier for me. I actually no longer want to move to FD under any circumstance and glad of the lucky escape.

stephane_2

So why did you apply in the first place..? I wonder...cynical!

martley

stephane wrote: »

So why did you apply in the first place..? I wonder...cynical!

Quite simply because I was under the impression that it had good customer service and a website that made banking easier. My experience of their customer service on applying was awful so that is the first thing out of the window. Now I learn that their website isn't all that at all, and that they have this air of superiority over others who are perceived to bank with less 'exclusive' banks. There appears to be nothing exclusive about FD at all. I had a lucky escape from them by the sounds of it. FD isn't the second coming of holy grail from the evidence I see before me. Indeed by the sounds if it they need to get their heads out of their backsides and improve the banking experience. There seem to be many who don't rate it as highly as FD like to think they do.

nearlyrich

Gromitt wrote: »

They've changed it? You used to only be able to see your account balance on the main screen, not your available balance.

My account balance is my available balance?

I don't have a problem with FD either I use internet banking plus which has all my finances in one place;)

rich_jtg

katejo wrote: »

I also find it ok. I'm wondering what other services are provideed from other banks which FD doesn't offer?

As I've said on a previous thread, I'd love to be able to do simple things like:

- See what amounts are going to be leaving my account, rather than what the last payment was

- Rename accounts

- Instantly transfer between accounts, rather than taking multiple steps

- Change standing order amounts instantly without having to put a thinly disguised request in

I decided earlier the year that I'd give FD until the end of the year to improve their online offerings. I've never used the phone side, and have no wish to, so am eyeing up alternatives as I'm not holding out much hope of any changes.

Gromitt

nearlyrich wrote: »

My account balance is my available balance?

No, your available balance is what you can spend. Your account balance is what your current account balance is, and doesn't include pending payments.

I don't have a problem with FD either, but my account has rarely more than £30 in there due to the fact that they give me nothing. Other banks such as Nationwide (4.25% ISA), Halifax (£5/month), TSB (3% interest), etc give their customers something back.

nearlyrich

Gromitt wrote: »

No, your available balance is what you can spend. Your account balance is what your current account balance is, and doesn't include pending payments.

I don't have a problem with FD either, but my account has rarely more than £30 in there due to the fact that they give me nothing. Other banks such as Nationwide (4.25% ISA), Halifax (£5/month), TSB (3% interest), etc give their customers something back.

No, I know what I mean if it shows as available I can spend it;) I have my finances set up so I know exactly what is going on...bills are paid from a different account and as they are all on DD that account is easy to manage too.

Obviously you can get benefits from other types of interest bearing accounts we were discussing current accounts not ISAs. having banked with TSB, Natwest and the Halifax over the years you would have to pay me a lot more than £5 a month to put up with their incompetence.:eek:

BlueC

reehsetin wrote: »

As an Android user it's very annoying that they ONLY have an iPhone app desipite repeated requests from their customers

Yes, that is annoying. And for the record, the Natwest (or RBS) Android app is absolutely fantastic - even allows cardless withdrawals from cash machines. I've been VERY impressed with Natwest in both their online banking and their smartphone apps, and to be honest their in-bank service is pretty damn good too and they seem to have branches on every street corner.

I'm with FD for their mortgage, and have a joint account with them. To me, their online banking is adequate but it is 10 years out of date. I often think its odd because they were trail blazers for online banking and are now way off the pace.

MoneySaverLog

baby_frogmella wrote: »

sorry the dept is closed, please call after the weekend...

I've had that response from First Direct - Shock Horror Panic!