Any better online bank accounts?

SkintBint

I'm finding with First Direct that they are extremely slow to reflect money going out in my online statement or indeed balance.

This has caused me some difficulty several times (I know I should probably have a better hold on what I am spending and dates of bills!) as I tend to think I've got more in my account than I actually have.

Sometimes card transactions on Friday's dont get reflected until early the following week. Is this the same of all online bank accounts?

Anything more up to date available in the UK? I found simple.com the other day but that's only in the US.

pqrdef

Most websites show account balance and available balance. On First Direct the available balance is hidden away a bit - you have to make as if you're going to pay a bill, and there it will tell you how much you've got to pay with.

[Deleted User]

all debit card transactions can take a few days before debiting your account. i have 5 bank accounts and everyone is the same, you need to use your available balance to work out how much has been authorised to debit. Also, bear in mind with first direct it is a live system, as soon as transaction debit you will see them on your online banking, no later

iluvsaving

I completely agree with you OP that is why I use a credit card to make any payments therefore I only have one payment coming out of my account instead of numerous that makes it extremely difficult to organise myself.

heloid

Limitations of the current payments system Mastercard and Visa operate (not the banks fault). Probably be quite a while before it's improved in anyway.

HeadAboveWater

Use an excel spreadsheet. I've started doing that and it's soooo much easier. Can see at a glance exactly what's available to me, rather than waiting for my online bank to update.

Or I'm sure some of those fancy phones out there have an app for that sort of thing