best bank based on usability?

03jatkin

Hey guys,

I have banked with Natwest since i was young and have recently changed to first direct as they decided to introduce a standard charge if i went more than £10 into my overdraft. (as i'm quite often dipping into my overdraft and then transferring money across later on in the week i decided i didn't like the idea of this and moved.)

I have also opened up a nationwide account to open a Save to buy isa as i'm currently saving for a mortgage.

My main frustrations with first direct and nationwide is that i find there iPhone app and online banking frustrating to use and personally i think not a patch on Natwest for ease of access, quick loading app without having to put in long passcodes and numbers yet still safe for myself to use.

I was wondering if anybody else finds this a frustration and if they have found a bank which has great app's and ease of access, because as much as the overdraft charge would annoy me and i would probably fall victim to it, i feel like because that's the main way i use my banking i'm feeling like i want to move back.

fiendishlyclever

I type in a three digit pin on the Nationwide app - how much easier do you want it? I prefer my finances to have a little security around them. The Halifax app is far inferior when it comes to logging in (need to type more in)

lics

Based on my experience with Barclays, First Direct, Halifax, and Metrobank (I manage my mum's account online) I can say that Barclays is the best out of all these 4 - online system. I also like their mobile banking app, but can only compare it with First Direct's. The Barclays app requires set up first and after that you log in using a 5-digit numeric password that's it.

Yorkie1

I bank with FD and Lloyds / Halifax. For online website, the Lloyds one (and Halifax - same base, I think) wins hands down. Initial usernumber (which my laptop remembers), followed by password and then 3 numbers / digits on a drop-down menu from a longer second word.

My mobile phone just says "what's an app?" so no experience there

I work very close to a bank so never need to use Lloyds' phone centre.

Broadwood

I've only experience of Barclays so not sure whether other banks are just as good for useability but I have no complaints. Online pc banking does everything while mobile access fulfills most day to day needs. Barclays don't yet do an app compatible with my phone (Nokia 301), but banking via the Nokia's web browser is quick and easy.

I tend to use the mobile for checking balances and checking that weekly wages have gone in and how much, also transferring cash between current and savings accounts. It's great on holiday too. I never need to take a laptop, which is just as well as wife has banned their use when away on holiday.

Archi_Bald

03jatkin wrote: »

I was wondering if anybody else finds this a frustration and if they have found a bank which has great app's and ease of access, because as much as the overdraft charge would annoy me and i would probably fall victim to it, i feel like because that's the main way i use my banking i'm feeling like i want to move back.

What do you consider 'great apps and ease of access'? Are you suggesting you go overdrawn because your mobile app doesn't show you how much money you have actually available to spend?

If so: you cannot expect a bank to tell you what your actual available balance is. There are numerous reasons, including

• you have paid for something by debit card but the retailer hasn't yet claimed the money from your bank (i.e. you have spent money your bank doesn't know about yet)
• you have paid for something but then immediately returned it. The retailer hasn't yet told your bank your returned it (i.e. you have more money available than the bank knows)
• you have a Direct Debit coming out overnight. E.g. you have £90 in your account right now, and a DD of £100 is due out tomorrow (i.e. you'll end up overdrawn by £10 unless you deposit at least £10 pronto)

It's the same with all banks, and building societies. You have to manage your money and what you have actually available to spend yourself.

It can be a bit easier to manage your funds if you use a credit card. But this is only true if you are able, without fail, to pay off your entire balance every month. This - again - requires that you manage your outgoings and incomings yourself, in great detail, and with great regularity.

Gizmo247

If you are with FD why not use their Internet Banking Plus web app (only works in IE) then you can enter one set of credentials to access all your account, regardless of their complexity to login.

As for iPhone Banking apps they are all a bit similar with the Nationwide being the most minimal to login. I would recommend you use a word-based iphone lock code as the numerical one take 10 minutes max to crack. Alternatively buy an iPhone 5S and use the finger-print security feature.

Archi_Bald

Gizmo247 wrote: »

If you are with FD why not use their Internet Banking Plus web app (only works in IE) then you can enter one set of credentials to access all your account, regardless of their complexity to login.

You don't need to be with FD to get that functionality. You can simply use the native version of what FD use - https://www.ewise.com.au/accunity/aa/home.asp

nujjer

Good thread.
The odd bit of interest here and there or small charges don't bother me as much as usability.

I want an online account that is easy to use (rather than easy to login - I don't mind that bit). Here's my round up;

Smile - Vile interface. No feedback if you send a message - no 'sent' folder either. Only 6-9 months transactions stored, so you cant do your tax at the end of the year. Latest statement view sorted ascending date, all others descending date - rubbish.
Halifax - good for everyday use, but analysis tools are diabolical. Cant see more than 30 transactions on the screen and can't d/l more than 150 transactions or 90 days, but no idea what dates those transactions are, or how many txs in the last 90 days, so you have to guess. I do it a month at a time and nail together in csv then look for duplicates (100's of mouse clicks) :mad:
Barclays - I like the 'calculator' security gizmo. Cant remember much else - I binned them a year ago when Bob Diamond flicked me off.
Barclaycard - Like. Good visuals, easy export. Simple navigation.

Can anyone suggest the best bank for ease of use?

Archi_Bald

you need to first define what you mean by 'ease of use'. For example, not everyone will have a mobile app as a top priority, and not everyone is looking for analysis tools from their bank, not everyone is looking to limit themselves to just one bank. You'll just get subjective views, based on individual likes. I, for instance, deeply dislike any provider that I cannot access via an account aggregator, which might not be important to you at all.

No_6

I bank online with Nat West, Halifax ,Santander, Sainsbury's, M&S, Yorkshire and a couple more
and still rate NW as the easiest and fastest site to use, never had any problems when NW was supposed to be down recently.
I log in every day, sometime twice


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