Nationwide rebranding

t33

Ultimately I couldn't care less.  Image is pretty irrelevant, it's the substance that's important but since I'm stuck indoors (stonking storm) I've got to say I like it, less dowdy and cleaner than the previous and I actually like the Escher-esque element of the logo, strange though it is, they'll get some PR from it and the story will be forgotten tomorrow.  Now the NatWest brand really does need rid of that awful pukey granny purple ...

Stay safe if you're in Scotland.

Rawrzy

Albermarle said:

That's all that matters ultimately, I tried their current account last year to get the switch bonus but I couldn't use them for my main current account as their app is bad. I may use them for savings if they had a good rate as the app doesn't matter so much then.

and I was hoping that meant they were coming out with a new app since the current app is kind of limited

Can you say what is lacking in the app? It seems to work pretty well to me, but I am not a very demanding customer and have not used that many other banking apps .
My only gripe is that in the last 3 months it has refused to open a few times, and had to reboot the phone to get it to work again. 

There's not many card controls, unless I'm missing something. Take Natwest(using them since they're also a high street bank, but digital banks allow this too), they allow you to see your full card details, pin etc right from the App.

Otherwise I have some niggles about how you get to certain things. I only joined recently with the new Switch incentive and regular savings account. I wanted to set up a standing order from the Nationwide account to the regular saver and I spent a while in the app trying to figure out how you do a new standing order. The page where you disiplay them doesn't have an add button. Even going to just try and pay an account doesn't initially come up with the standing order option. Eventually I figured out you have to go through the normal payment process, and after you've confirmed how much you want to send it takes you to a final page where there it asks you if you want to make this payment a standing order. Which felt bizarre to me, surely you ask at the same time as the amount you want to send, because I dunno about anyone else but I wouldn't want to put any money figures in until I've confirmed that it's going to do what I want. Admittedly Chase also puts its standing order set up in with normal payments but it has a button on the same screen as where you put in the money for scheduling so it's a bit more forthcoming.

The standing order thing is admittedly a bit of a first time nitpick so I'm not super mad about it or anything, but I do miss the card controls really. Means I have to dig out my card if I want to use it on the internet.

It's not the worst bank app or anything, as it does most things, but it's not quite as good as the top ones.

Edit: Oh I remembered another, no instant phone notifications for transactions. Not a deal breaker as I do check my app regularly, but it's just nice to have if something goes through you might not have remembered.

Rob5342

When I tried it there were no card controls - checking the pin, seeing the card number etc. To add new payees you had to use the ridiculous card reader instead of doing it all in the app. The app didn't have any notifications for when payments were received etc.

If it's the only banking app you've ever used then it probably seems ok, but if you've used Monzo's or Starling's app then you realise just how far behind the times Nationwide are. Halifax and Lloyds have some of those features but Nationwide's is definitely the worst banking app I've ever used.

Lightning360

Just did some tests on a few sites for colour contrast and the new colours failed with small fonts. Whilst the blue and red/pink colours aren't used that much, they are on things like the new FlexAccount debit card. This is pretty bad in terms of accessibility. I'd definitely have expected better from Nationwide.

vm2pensioner

Rich2808 said:

Aren't they supposed to be a mutual building society focusing on savings and mortgages - not a bank? How does the logo express its supposed values?

Can't say I am fan - the old logo was perfectly fine and clear it was about helping people buy homes. What is the thing on the left - a house with some weird shaped crescent hanging off it?

And it does look very NatWest - so isn't distinctive either.

It has become increasingly obvious that Nationwide is less interested in savers. Remember, in the recent so-called fairer-share distribution it didn't matter how many savings accounts, amounts in savings, mortgage, length of membership, etc., you only received the £100 if you had a current account with a minimum number of withdrawals in a given period. Still, plenty of members' money to splash on new logos, branding, branch signboards, etc. Another building society losing its way?

TheElectricCow

I like the app, it does lack a few features but I find it reliable and functional enough, with a reasonably clear and intuitive design. Would prefer to drop the reliance on the little physical card reader though it's ultimately not turned out to be a huge inconvenience for me. Could certainly be improved though, I agree on the point about instant transaction notifications and I would like to be able to view pdf statements etc. in app.

Nationwide's is far better than some others I've tried e.g. Barclays' which I actually dread opening due to its unavoidable short timeouts, annoying glitches & quirks, and the constant barrage of loading screens. Halifax's is my preferred app by far but does have room for improvement - the ability to set payee "nicknames" is something I'm surprised is still missing when even the simple Nationwide app does that.

Albermarle

Rob5342 said:

When I tried it there were no card controls - checking the pin, seeing the card number etc. To add new payees you had to use the ridiculous card reader instead of doing it all in the app. The app didn't have any notifications for when payments were received etc.

If it's the only banking app you've ever used then it probably seems ok, but if you've used Monzo's or Starling's app then you realise just how far behind the times Nationwide are. Halifax and Lloyds have some of those features but Nationwide's is definitely the worst banking app I've ever used.

It's not the only banking app I use - also FD, Barclays & Halifax, but the latter two for credit cards only.

I suppose they are all seem like miracles of technology compared to what we had in the past, so I do not really notice the minor issues. More interested in how much money is in them !

Rob5342

Albermarle said:

Rob5342 said:

When I tried it there were no card controls - checking the pin, seeing the card number etc. To add new payees you had to use the ridiculous card reader instead of doing it all in the app. The app didn't have any notifications for when payments were received etc.

If it's the only banking app you've ever used then it probably seems ok, but if you've used Monzo's or Starling's app then you realise just how far behind the times Nationwide are. Halifax and Lloyds have some of those features but Nationwide's is definitely the worst banking app I've ever used.

It's not the only banking app I use - also FD, Barclays & Halifax, but the latter two for credit cards only.

I suppose they are all seem like miracles of technology compared to what we had in the past, so I do not really notice the minor issues. More interested in how much money is in them !

I.pay a lot of attention to them and the app is the main thing I'll base my choice of current account on. I do find it bizarre that there are apps that do all sorts of clever things like removing people in photos, yet Nationwide can't do something as simple as notifying you when a payment is received.

pridehappy

Sure - the rebranding does look more modern and fresh. I'm not a fan of the main font, however, more difficult to read and I preferred the "Playfair Display" font they changed to for a brief period on their website. The icon is quite simplistic which I'm guessing means it's quite easy to replicate on different products and services. It isn't enjoyable to see they have dropped the Building Society branding.

I do agree that the logo does look a little like NatWest, although this doesn't concern me too much. However, I also cannot stop thinking they have gained inspiration from the USA version of Nationwide with it looking a little like a bird. I can see it's a house but wouldn't see that it looks like a sun. I prefer the old one and reminds me of the Cumberland's 'Child's Play' advertisement back in the day as it certainly does look like it's been designed by a child!

Insurance and Financial Services Company – Nationwide

My main disappointment is that they are investing so much into the website (which already did look decent and quite distinguished from other banks/building societies), branches and documents without considering the practical improvements needed.

For example, you still cannot pay in a cheque with the app, there's no ability to view your PIN or card details from the app, still reliant on a card reader, no way to change the reference of payments etc. These are all things which the younger generation expects, especially when society is trying to appeal to a younger audience. The internet bank has just had a cheap facelift and I've always monitored this page which hasn't been updated in what feels like a decade. It even included the logo before the new one was introduced, and includes the old website address. On the other hand, the new more modern card designs are very welcome and I will be replacing them as soon as one becomes available.

Customer Registration - REGISTRATION (nationet.com)

However, I'll continue banking with Nationwide as they are still the best option on the market in my eyes - good customer service, rewarding products and the 8% saver is a keeper.

Zaul22

There's a lot more use of and focus on the word 'bank' now. Are they changing from a building society to a bank... or just want people to think they are?