Can anyone recommend a decent internet current account?

Flynn_2

vandanfc wrote: »

No one has mentioned Abbey. Probably for a reason, but I have not experienced any problems with online banking with them. Decent rate of interest too. Login with 3 sets of info. to input: 16 digit card number on debit card, passcode and password, (or something like that anyway). This then takes you to a screen showing all your accounts and then you can go into whichever you want.

Can move money from Abbey account to Abbey Account, set up/amend and cancel dd and so's. Pay external bods. etc.

Easy to use but the lack of security is scary. See http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=805927.

No wonder BBC Watchdog and the Observer get more complaints about them than any other bank.

topher_2

Clio: Yes - very similar to opening a credit card. Very easy!

Hooo

Thanks to h5djr, I bought PC Pro and read their article. I wish it had been out before I applied.
Not only do Smile come bottom of the league for their web interface, they also come bottom for login security too. So the tedious and exasperating login method they use doesn't even offer any advantages!
Oh well, at least they don't require a hardware device like some banks, and their website is so basic that it seems to work on my phone browser.

terafarma

Hooo wrote: »

The account I have at the moment (One Account) is great, apart from two things - it doesn't pay interest and there's no overdraft. Since I don't use them for my mortgage anymore (it's an offset account), I thought it would be worth changing accounts.
I've read through this forum for advice, and I totally agree with the comments that headline interest rate isn't everything, good service is what really matters.
Based on comments in this forum, I opened a Smile account, and it's been so bad that I'm seriously considering abandoning the transfer process and opening a different account. The web login process is long and tedious, and they keep locking me out - necessitating a call to an 0870 number with at least 10 minutes on hold every time. Yes, I've checked I'm putting the correct details in! When I finally get logged in, the web interface is absolutely basic, with none of the functionality I'm used to.
Is there such a thing as an acount with a good web interface, where they answer the phone, and they still pay a bit of interest... 3% would do....
Oh, and I want a cheque book and a branch I can visit for large cash transactions too. An overdraft facility would be nice, but I seem to manage without one at the moment.
Or am I just expecting too much?

I'll gladly recommend Nationwide any day, any time.

topher_2

I haven't read the PC Pro article but I'm interested to know whats wrong with Smile's login security? I think it is far easier than Icesave for example.

Also from the Smile website "We’re the first UK online bank to be accredited with the ISO27001 Information Security certification. That means we have an extremely secure Internet Banking service"

I agree that the web interface isn't brilliant though!

Hooo

PC Pro basically says that most of the details that you need to log in are easily obtainable by ID thieves. Other banks use unique numbers rather than AC no / sort code and obvious questions like mothers maiden name.
My complaints about logging in are well documented in my previous posts :mad:

I tried to have a look at this ISO27001 document, but it seems you have to pay to see it. Do you know what's in it? Since I don't, I'm not going to accept it as proof of anything. I'm always suspicious of anyone who quotes "we're approved to so-and-so standard". It generally means that they've just gone through a box-ticking exercise.

joon79

I havent seen the PC Pro article - who do they recommend as their top 3?

brookerbabyisababy

Smile have an awful website. Forget them.

Join either HSBC or FIRST DIRECT.

topher_2

I liked the HSBC website but have experienced awful customer service from them on far too many occassions - 2 different branches and on the phone. I might try First Direct myself - is the internet banking similar to HSBC?

I've not got a copy of the ISO27001 document - I'll see if my work has though - these standards are usually pretty tough to obtain (from past experience). I must admit that the "Mothers maiden name" question that appears on many website logins now does seem very insecure - I don't use the real name but a made-up one anyway but perhaps I'm paranoid!

Meltdown_2

topher wrote: »

I must admit that the "Mothers maiden name" question that appears on many website logins now does seem very insecure

Yes. It is often easily available on the 'net.
(And - increasingly - it is your surname too!)

I don't use the real name but a made-up one anyway but perhaps I'm paranoid!

No. Just sensible. You aren't the only one doing this - a lot do.