Alternatives to FirstDirect - without banking app

inforesearcher

I’m looking for a bank that offers online banking with text alerts and which doesn’t require you to use a banking app on a smartphone - can anyone suggest one?

Some background, I have banked with FirstDirect for over 34 years and have generally been very happy with the service. I use the text alerts to monitor my accounts with them to make sure there’s nothing unexpected gone out of the account and that expected credits have come in. This enables me to keep a fair chunk of cash on deposit earning a reasonable interest rate.

Last week, without warning, FirstDirect announced that they were withdrawing the text alert facility in August. In discussions with them, they told me they were doing it to improve services to customers and that I could use their banking app instead. When I pointed out I didn’t have a smartphone so couldn’t use their app they said I could use online banking to check my balances. This would mean having to take my laptop away with me and find an internet connection everyday. The text alerts were also a useful tool for monitoring activity on the accounts when I was abroad - again not needing to log in to online banking everyday.

Thank you

Mark_d

I'd recommend Nationwide
https://www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/help/text-alerts/

kempiejon

I don't think you'll be lucky but I'd be interested as I'm in the same position with FD and do not use a smart phone. However I do need to check my balances or transactions everyday. Not virgin, they went app only a few years back, I think RBS sends txt messages.
I have had Santander, Natwest, and Tesco fairly recently and don't think they do. 

lr1277

I googled:
nationwide mini statement text
and found the mini statement texts were weekly or monthly. 

I get my mini statements from FD maybe 4-5 times a week.
Can Nationwide do a mini statement text more than once a week?

OP: For a long time I had a smartphone, but did not put the app on my phone. I continued to use internet banking with the code generated by the code generating device. I suppose I did this because I didn’t want to do banking on my phone incase the phone got stolen or broken.
Then the battery in the code generating device died and was told by FD, the replacement would take a few weeks. I was asked if I would download the app, on the basis I could get the code generating device if I didn’t get on with the app. I agreed to this and FD stayed on the phone whilst I downloaded the app and help me set it up. This lead time to get the code generator was in June 2020 so covid may have been a factor. Or maybe FD wants to get everyone off the code generator. Anyway I use the app daily now in conjunction with reviewing my mini statements. I even use the app for sending money to people. I am happy with the app. Also I need the app to log into the website now that I no longer have a code generator.

i too am disappointed the text messages are stopping. They were an easy way of checking my balance and recent transactions without logging in. 

However for me the advantages of FD outweigh the need to use the app. So I will go forward with the app.

born_again

inforesearcher said:

I’m looking for a bank that offers online banking with text alerts and which doesn’t require you to use a banking app on a smartphone - can anyone suggest one?

Some background, I have banked with FirstDirect for over 34 years and have generally been very happy with the service. I use the text alerts to monitor my accounts with them to make sure there’s nothing unexpected gone out of the account and that expected credits have come in. This enables me to keep a fair chunk of cash on deposit earning a reasonable interest rate.

Last week, without warning, FirstDirect announced that they were withdrawing the text alert facility in August. In discussions with them, they told me they were doing it to improve services to customers and that I could use their banking app instead. When I pointed out I didn’t have a smartphone so couldn’t use their app they said I could use online banking to check my balances. This would mean having to take my laptop away with me and find an internet connection everyday. The text alerts were also a useful tool for monitoring activity on the accounts when I was abroad - again not needing to log in to online banking everyday.

Thank you

Got to love statements like that..
Is the announcement not a warning?

Several banks offer alerts when limits are above below set limits. Santander for one.

gt94sss2

inforesearcher said:

I’m looking for a bank that offers online banking with text alerts and which doesn’t require you to use a banking app on a smartphone - can anyone suggest one?

Last week, without warning, FirstDirect announced that they were withdrawing the text alert facility in August.

You will find that all the banks are gradually switching to app notifications rather than text messages.

If you are otherwise happy with First Direct it may be time to invest in a cheap android smartphone..

Rob5342

I'd imagine that all banks will keep moving to app alerts. For the moment Santander seem to offer what you want:

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/understanding-our-services/account-alerts