Which banks do/don't use card readers

want2bmortgage3

I know Santander don't and Nationwide do, but which other banks do/don't and do you find this a problem?

dr_adidas01

Halifax
Bank Of Scotland
Lloyds TSB
First Direct

anoncol

smile and hsbc do. They are a pain.

Mulligan1

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

I know Santander don't and Nationwide do, but which other banks do/don't and do you find this a problem?

As mentioned LTSB/HBOS don't use them and I have never considered it a problem. To set up a payment you would need a USERID, two lots of passwords and an activation code that is sent to your registered telephone number.

I have a card reader for my Co-Operative Current Account but I rarely use it.

rb10

Nationwide and Natwest do, but you very rarely need to use them so it's not a problem.

HSBC's doesn't use a card, but just generates a code each time you use it. Far more of a pain than the card readers used elsewhere as HSBC make you use it every time you log in and to make new payments.

DragonQ

Out of the banks I've been with:

Lloyds TSB = No
Halifax = No
Post Office = No
Co-Op = Yes
Nationwide = Yes
Santander = No
Natwest = Yes

psychic_teabag

Both me and OH have nationwide accounts. For some reason, I got a cardreader, but OH did not. (Also, my card was always visa debit, but OH originally got just a cash card IIRC, but now upgraded to visa debit. This would have been a long time ago now.)

NatWest and RBS both have card readers.

want2bmortgage3

With Santander I just use ID and password to log on and they send me a text message with a unique code if I want to do a transfer, that is fine with me. With nationwide I have to use the reader to log in and do payments, so I would have to keep the reader with me at all times?! I noticed it said low battery last time I used it and I've only had it a few weeks so that could be a problem as well. Think I'll stick with Santander and move everything to that account!

Mulligan1

psychic_teabag wrote: »

Both me and OH have nationwide accounts. For some reason, I got a cardreader, but OH did not. (Also, my card was always visa debit, but OH originally got just a cash card IIRC, but now upgraded to visa debit. This would have been a long time ago now.)

NatWest and RBS both have card readers.

I was never sent one by Nationwide when I opened a Flex Account but I was issued with a Cashcard+ so maybe that's why. I never ended up using the account anyway and it's long since been closed!

Gromitt

I have a card reader with my Nationwide and OTPs with Halifax and TSB. Personally I prefer the Nationwide approach, simple and quick. With Halifax and TSB I'm often staring at my phone thinking "Come on, ring damnit!". Same goes for the text messages from other banks. I have several card readers from various banks and they all work with each others cards so I find that quick and simple to use.

innovate

I had a few Nationwide current accounts for a few years now, and ever since they introduced the card reader, I had to only use it randomly. You can log in w/o the card reader anytime you like, but they will randomly ask for it when you set up new payees and/or pay bills. Last couple of times when I set up new payees and paid bills, I haven't been asked for the card reader. I fully expect though that I will have to use it again sometime soon, when their randomiser feels like picking me.

Lloyds, BoS, Santander, First Direct never want any card reader. Some of them do send you codes to your mobile number, however, and you can only complete the payment when you enter the code they texted you.

HSBC are in a league of their own with an immensely annoying gadget that you need to log in. I can just about cope with it because all I use them for is their Reg Saver so I only have to use it once a month.

Lloyds and Santander also sometimes block payments you make for 24 hours. Apparently it is for your own safety, but I find it immensely annoying and inconvenient when it happens.