Best online banking?

Kewsea

It may not be actually as they are upgrading it on a staggered basis. If you are on the 'old' system you will still log in using your sort code and account number.

On being migrated to the 'new' system you will be asked to set up new security in the form of a user name, password and security number which, from that point on, will direct you to the 'new' system when you sign in and you will use these sign in details going forward.

I have been with them since 2001 and have found it great but the new one.....hmm.

Kewsea

TomJ wrote: »

Halifax, Lloyds and TSB allow you to pay into the Post Office using personalised paying in slips which you have to order from them when you're running low; moderately old-fashioned, but not a great hassle. Their online banking services are reasonably good - no need for any card reader, they just text you authorisation codes if you set up new online payments. I'd say at least on a par with Santander, though TSB's was a little flaky as it was getting itself re-established. It's up to you whether the interest/rewards with one or some of them outweigh the slightly greater ease when paying into a Post Office using just a Santander card.

To be honest I just want the ease of use and will largely use it as a feeder account and switch my main current account to Nationwide. My banking is very simple so needs to be very easy to use.

I did also consider First Direct but, again, was moderately put off by the use of Digital Security keys etc

benjus

What about Barclays? I find their online system very good (probably the best I've seen in the UK in fact, and I have accounts with quite a few banks) and you can use Post Office branches.

Kewsea

benjus wrote: »

What about Barclays? I find their online system very good (probably the best I've seen in the UK in fact, and I have accounts with quite a few banks) and you can use Post Office branches.

I really do not like them at all. My partner had awful experiences with them so I'll just avoid.

pinkdalek

Simply based on who I have had banking relationships with I have always found Halifax's online banking the most simplest and easier to use.

Pre Lloyds take over it was streets ahead, sadly took a step backwards when dinosaur Lloyds came in with his archaic systems, however you can now tell and feel Halifax have somehow influenced and dragged them in the 21st century.

I also like that they don't use stupid devices, which makes it miles easier doing banking.

Kewsea

TomJ wrote: »

Halifax, Lloyds and TSB allow you to pay into the Post Office using personalised paying in slips which you have to order from them when you're running low; moderately old-fashioned, but not a great hassle. Their online banking services are reasonably good - no need for any card reader, they just text you authorisation codes if you set up new online payments. I'd say at least on a par with Santander, though TSB's was a little flaky as it was getting itsellf re-established. It's up to you whether the interest/rewards with one or some of them outweigh the slightly greater ease when paying into a Post Office using just a Santander card.

Regarding the paying in slips can you order them online and, when used at a PO, is the money credited the same day?


Thank you.

debtorwithaquestion

With RBS / NatWest / Lloyds / TSB / Barclays / Halifax / BOS and Nationwide the cash and personalised paying in slip is sent from post office to bank either that day or next working day. It is NOT credited to your account until the bank receives it and pays it in.

Peter_the_Painter

I am in the same situation. The new website is unsatisfactory and should have been tested more thoroughly before being foisted onto us. I began attempting to join First Direct over 3 weeks ago, and I am having an appalling experience: I could write a book about it! I've given up on the friendly people in their call centres and in the last 24 hours I have written twice - on paper, no less! - to Andrew Lea, the Head of Banking. I will NOT be signing up with First Direct, who seem incapable of printing and posting a letter for proof of my signature and who keep phoning me to say they have left a message on my account - an account they have not yet opened. As I said, wait for my book to come out!!!!!

Kewsea

Peter_the_Painter wrote: »

I am in the same situation. The new website is unsatisfactory and should have been tested more thoroughly before being foisted onto us. I began attempting to join First Direct over 3 weeks ago, and I am having an appalling experience: I could write a book about it! I've given up on the friendly people in their call centres and in the last 24 hours I have written twice - on paper, no less! - to Andrew Lea, the Head of Banking. I will NOT be signing up with First Direct, who seem incapable of printing and posting a letter for proof of my signature and who keep phoning me to say they have left a message on my account - an account they have not yet opened. As I said, wait for my book to come out!!!!!

I am glad someone else finds the new Smile system as dysfunctional as I do - it really is dreadful.

I also, as above, did consider FD, but have a deep rooted dislike of any of the large banking institutions. I know Nationwide are not 'small' but they still retain more of a Building Society approach.

colin79666

Tesco online banking is really simple and intuitive I find. They appear to have started from a more modern base rather than crafting a front end onto an old back end from the 1980s like several others. Both the web and mobile app interfaces are great. You can see some screenshots/videos of it on their website: https://www.tescobank.com/online-banking/help/logging-in/

FD is pretty straightforward once in but their mobile app is awful and you have to use it to general a code for setting up new payees etc. (unless you opt for a physical token). I found it to be a real step back from RBS but at least it is reliable (unlike RBS!).