Using online bank accounts from abroad

UnhappyHarry

I've just noticed that my Saga savings account has this message:

Outside UK
This site is intended for use by UK residents only. All products or other financial services accessible through this website are offered in the UK only.

If you are currently outside the UK (for example, when you are on holiday) and wish to use the service to view information about your accounts, you may do so. However, before using this site, you must ensure that you would not be breaking any laws or regulations within the jurisdiction by doing so.

You must not make any transactions or open any accounts using this site if you are outside the UK. This site contains information which is only intended for use by or distribution to any person, company or other body in any jurisdiction or country where such use or distribution would not contravene local laws or regulations.

I asked them to explain this, and I got this reply:


We're unable to endorse the use of our services from abroad. You may be able to use our online service abroad, but only to view your account. This is dependent on the local banking laws.

I am sorry for any inconvenience caused

xxx xxx xxx
Lloyds Banking Group

Anybody got any idea about this, or whether this is new?

I've always used my online accounts abroad, and it seems that, either I shouldn't have, or that I'm no longer allowed to do so.

Isn't this facility one of the reasons for operating online? Is access from anywhere now a thing of the past?

RetiredInThailand

This is basically to do with the bank protecting itself from potential problems arising from some non-UK governments that restrict which companies can offer online banking services to residents, and what sort of services. Rather similar to online gaming sites which have similar get-out clauses.

I have several UK bank accounts and all can be operated online from outside the UK. Indeed they mostly use my Thai mobile phone number as one contact number, also for SMS passwords.

callum9999

UnhappyHarry wrote: »

I've just noticed that my Saga savings account has this message:

Outside UK
This site is intended for use by UK residents only. All products or other financial services accessible through this website are offered in the UK only.

If you are currently outside the UK (for example, when you are on holiday) and wish to use the service to view information about your accounts, you may do so. However, before using this site, you must ensure that you would not be breaking any laws or regulations within the jurisdiction by doing so.

You must not make any transactions or open any accounts using this site if you are outside the UK. This site contains information which is only intended for use by or distribution to any person, company or other body in any jurisdiction or country where such use or distribution would not contravene local laws or regulations.

I asked them to explain this, and I got this reply:


We're unable to endorse the use of our services from abroad. You may be able to use our online service abroad, but only to view your account. This is dependent on the local banking laws.

I am sorry for any inconvenience caused

xxx xxx xxx
Lloyds Banking Group

Anybody got any idea about this, or whether this is new?

I've always used my online accounts abroad, and it seems that, either I shouldn't have, or that I'm no longer allowed to do so.

Isn't this facility one of the reasons for operating online? Is access from anywhere now a thing of the past?

I'd imagine they are just trying to cover themselves against an obscure, random banking regulation in a random country somewhere.

You're free to use it how you normally would and you won't be punished or anything for doing so.

jjlandlord

This looks like a blanket legal disclaimer which I would blissfully ignore.