Your internet banking?

[Brian Turner]

I have internet banking with 3 banks: Yorkshire, HSBC, and Barclays.

I have to say there's a wide degree of difference in the userbility of all three.

Barclays is the easiest - a password, a user ID, and a security word. I have no problems with that. The interface is good and easy to use, and I've not had any problems.

Yorkshire bank is similar, but they seem to be more picky with what browser you can use. Also, you seem forced to work in a little window box, and it simply lacks the friendliness of a full screen brower window.

HSBC - oh, lordy, this was fun! My first attempt to register succeeded - then refused to log me in because I used Mozilla Firefox. I had to use IE, and register a new onlnie banking account. However, one of the code numbers supplied had defaulted because I'd left it a couple of months before actually trying to register online, so I had to re-apply for a new one. Then I tried to register again - fine - excepting that now I couldn;t log on because I also needed a new secret password - one of the branch staff supposedly sent it via the internal system, but it didn't work, so I had to re-apply again. Finally got it sorted with my business manager - and this week I was *finally* able to access my acocunts online. They require use of around 5 different passwords and numbers, and I ended up registering at least 4 online banking accounts - only one of which actually works - and the user ID's of the others cannot be removed from the database.


Overall experience - so far the Barclay's system is much more user-friendly (just a shame the rest of the service hasn't been so great - ie, no branch-resident business manager, and no one from their business division has yet contacted myself about opening a business account ).

The HSBC one also seems quick ridiculously overcomplicated, and I'm none too-chuffed with it. Although I can greatly appreciate the need for secure online connectivity, I'm not convinced that the current set-up is either efficient nor properly thought-through.

Anyway, just some opinions for you.

[paul andrew]

I think internet banking is great I have used

Lloyds Tsb - Simple to use
Cahoot - I find this difficult you have to hunt around to find what you want
ING Direct - A very simple interface But you do need another bank account to move money in and out.
First Direct - Amazing once you get use to it you could probably get it to brew up for you.

One thing to note NEVER log in to your account from an email

Regards
Paul

[altyfc]

I use NatWest and Egg and have to say both work a treat... never had any problems with either of them. I do have issues with First Direct - they keep sending me junk text messages and are a pain the ***.

Aaron

[JamesSmith]

We use Natwest, works fine.

[EquusBusinessFinance]

We use Abbey National Business Banking, and it works fine.

Only issue I have with it is that you can't pay in anything at the Abbey National branches - you must do it via post or via envelopes into their cashpoint machines.

[Brian Turner]

Hi David, and welcome to business-talk.

As for not being able to pay in over the counter - now that's a very strange system. Are Abeey National the ones who are now half-bank, half-coffee shop?

[EquusBusinessFinance]

Haven't seen any coffee outlets in the local branches, yet.

I suppose using their cashpoint machines has advantages and disadvantages.

The major disadvantage that I see for a business, is when funds are low in the account, and you have some cash to deposit, you can't just go to a branch and hand it over the counter. You have to put it in an envelope, deposit it in the cash machine, and then it takes a couple of days before you can use it within your account.

Advantage is you can make deposits 24 hours a day.

[paulhiles]

I'm a big fan of internet banking services. My personal account is with First Direct, who I started with back in 1996 (would recommend them to anyone!). Their telephone banking service is so good, I rarely use the internet banking, but even so, it can come in very handy especially for downloading statements, setting up mobile text alerts, etc.

I use HSBC for my business banking, and although the security has to be seen to be believed... I don't think it's too bad. Often I get paid via BACS transfer, and to be able to see the money going straight in (and often straight out again!) is pretty amazing. Regular creditors and standing orders are all really easy to administer too. I'd give it a 7 out of 10, could do better!