Simple login online banking account wanted, anyone got a recommendation?

Donnie

Donnie

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,027
Name
Paul
Edit My Images
No
Hi all, Im looking for a new basic bank account that allows online banking and is simple to use.

My definition of simple is something straight forward for logging into and something NOT requiring one of those stupid card reader things.

ie Im currently with nationwide and to login I need to enter

customer number
then
memorable word
then
3 random digits from my 6 digit passcode

Now all this I can live with, however if i want to set up a transaction I then need to confirm with the answer to one of five security questions which were set up 2 years ago and now are in the nether regions of my brain.

Well, all except one of them, which is the same one it has asked for the last year until today when it randomly decided to ask one of the others!

Frankly if someone got that far already ie past the previous layers of security then Im already in trouble.

So, anyone know anyone that might fit the bill?
 
I am with Lloyds, I find their online banking service to be pretty good. To access online you need to enter three digits of a memorable number then a password. To set up new transactions (standing orders etc) they call you on either your mobile/ landline with an automated service that provides you with a PIN to enter on screen to confirm it's you setting it up. Also has a simple but great iOS/ Android APP.
 
Halifax current account is just username, password then 3 character from your second passsword to login.
Setting up a new transaction is pretty simple too, it gives you a four digit code on your screen and then rings you (automated) and you enter the four digit code and bob's your uncle.
 
Cheers Jimmy and Dalton, that is basically the same but easier in that they ring you with the 4 digit pass which eliminates the need to remember the five quesitons, so that's a good alternative. I note that the halifax have a £100 switch offer too :-)
 
gramps said:
Light-hearted ... for me good banking security is important.
Click to expand...

ah, yes, GOOD security is important to me too, however, overcomplicated security for the sake of it actually puts obstacles in the way of the genuine consumer :-/
 
Barclays use either a PIN sentry. You have to enter your card into a calculator type thing, or use a mobile phone app for security
 
yep, definitely not interested in one of them card reader things, just another thing to carry around :-/ Had an account like that some time ago and know from experience its a pain for me.

Plus, wouldnt touch barclays with a barge pole after having a very very bad experience with them about 5 years ago anyway. BUT I appreciate the reply.
 
I think they are pretty much all the same aren't they, these days?
Nat west.
Log in with your account number, a security 4 digits, and then password.
Card reader not required to sign in or move money around,
Unless its a one off payment to someone.
Can't remember if you need it to set up a new DD or not,
As I've not done that in a very long time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ST4
Halifax, username password 3 random letters/numbers from a memorable word. New transactions gets you an automated call asking for a 4 digit number on your screen.
 
Cobra said:
Card reader not required to sign in or move money around,
Unless its a one off payment to someone.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that's exactly when I do use it most, so card reader is required, which is why my 4 year old Nat west account has the grand total of 31p in it for the last 3 years :-/
 
Donnie said:
Unfortunately that's exactly when I do use it most, so card reader is required, which is why my 4 year old Nat west account has the grand total of 31p in it for the last 3 years :-/
Click to expand...
OK Fair do's :)
I think that you'll stuggle to find one that doesn't TBH.
But good luck, you never know :thumbs:
 
Donnie said:
Cheers Jimmy and Dalton, that is basically the same but easier in that they ring you with the 4 digit pass which eliminates the need to remember the five quesitons, so that's a good alternative. I note that the halifax have a £100 switch offer too :)
Click to expand...

I was just going to suggest Halifax as well, I've just switched from the the Co-op, one of the reasons was the stupid multiple options to log into online banking.

I'm finding the Halifax online banking much better, as Tom says, just 3 random digits to log in and then an automated phone call for first time transfers.

The free £100 to switch and £5 monthly bonus they pay you to have the account are good too ;).
 
yep, I think that at the moment Halifax are in the lead, no silly card reader, £100 switch plus a fiver a month and they call to give me the number when it comes to one off payments (usually for buying something off TP!) :-)

Tesco's, thanks for the suggestion but having looked the the online demos theyre not as clear as some of the others as regards to the steps, plus to be honest, Im not sure given their recent shenanigans I would trust them anymore.
 
My Sanntander is an ID code, and two passwords. If I want to pay someone I enter the details and it texts me a confirmation code to my mobile phone to type in.

No card readers to bother with either.
 
Cobra said:
I think they are pretty much all the same aren't they, these days?
Nat west.
Log in with your account number, a security 4 digits, and then password.
Card reader not required to sign in or move money around,
Unless its a one off payment to someone.
Can't remember if you need it to set up a new DD or not,
As I've not done that in a very long time.
Click to expand...

Its a dongle I have with the Clydesdale bank, but the Tesco accounts there is no such thing, once you are logged in you can send what you like. Been ages since I banked with Natwest or Halifax.

What I would say is those that complain about online security would be the first to complain if their account was taken over and the money taken. The customer may only lose out for a short while until the bank issues new accounts, cards, sign ins and replaces the lost funds, but the bank loses twice. 1. the amount originally held 2. Has to put that amount back in.
 
Im more complaining about the consumer ends ease of use, as opposed to the need for proper online security, Im hoping you get that distinction and im not just having a whinge.

In effect my current system is asking me to remember (for a simple one off payment) 8 seperate and distinct passwords / usernames.

Anyone else have that? I doubt it.
 
I'm with Barclays. Stuff online banking. Mobile Banking App is the way forward ! It works a treat on my iPhone. I think there is a Android Version too.
 
im with coop bank. yes you do have to use a card reader BUT only for bank transfers to account syou have made transfers to before. once youve done one it goes in your account history so need for it. but i think this security measure is pretty much on a par with all banks these days.
other than that online banking login is usual bank and sort code, 4 digit security code then a password based on one of severall questions.
never had any issues with coop bank though and always good service though if you need to go in branch there arent as many high street ones compared to otehr banks
 
Another vote for Santander. We have a Santander 123 account, easy to use and you get a bit of interest/cash back.

Dave
 
Blank_Canvas said:
I'm with Barclays. Stuff online banking. Mobile Banking App is the way forward ! It works a treat on my iPhone. I think there is a Android Version too.
Click to expand...

I do mobile too with the nationwide, doesn't allow one off payments unless you have paid the person before so doesnt get round my main problem im afraid.
 
Donnie said:
I do mobile too with the nationwide, doesn't allow one off payments unless you have paid the person before so doesnt get round my main problem im afraid.
Click to expand...

Barclays also have Ping it - it's well worth investigating.
 
Another Lloyds user here.
Dead simple.
Also the classic account is simple no frills no charge account.
 
Authorising a transaction with a phone call from your bank is all very well till someone hacks your account and your phone number. Scarily, it's easier than you might think. I know someone that happened to and it made me look at internet banking security in a whole different light.
 
Tringa said:
Another vote for Santander. We have a Santander 123 account, easy to use and you get a bit of interest/cash back.

Dave
Click to expand...

Checked it out, at my level it would only be 1% interest on a balance of £1000+ which is no good to me :-(
plus you have to pay them £2 a month if you want cashback BUT just did a quick calculation and after paying 24 quid a year I could potentially save up to 75 a year on my water, gas, phone bill, sky etc and this would be recurring.

Just need to have a look at how they do their online banking first and see if it's a contender
 
Jannyfox said:
Authorising a transaction with a phone call from your bank is all very well till someone hacks your account and your phone number. Scarily, it's easier than you might think. I know someone that happened to and it made me look at internet banking security in a whole different light.
Click to expand...

Yeah, how on earth does that happen though, im always actually wary of people that say they have had their account hacked to be honest.

And these banks text the number or use thier automatic system to send it to you if you see what I mean.

Theres only 2 ways someone can be hacked as far as I can see.

1. a genuine hacker (in which case someone of these skills is likely to be hacking an account with tens of thousands of quid surely)
or
2. people are careless with their information.
 
First Direct for me, although it now uses a PIN code generator so might not suit you. Although I believe they have an android app that doesn't need a keypad, but I've not used that.

Although, I now use Keepass on my PC as I had my email password hacked and realised I was using the same password in loads of places - no longer with Keepass to auto-generate passwords and store additional security questions I find it really useful.
 
im on a mac and iphone so that mightnt work, however if you mean a card reader calculator type thing as the pin code generator thats going to be a dealbreaker for sure.
 
Lloyds - login is username (they supply), password, then three digits from second password. New recipient is a phone call and type in the number on screen to the handset. Doesn't work on pulse dial phones, so if you're connected to a Strowger* you're a bit stuffed. They send a text to your mobile when you set up a new recipient and will not allow a mobile to be used to authorize new recipients for 24h after the number is changed (from memory).

I won't move to a bank that requires a special device or software to log in.

*none left in service on the UK mainland AFAIK
 
yeah i can set that up for you, all I need is the 16 numbers on your card, sort code, acct no, 3 digits on the back, mothers maiden name and your first school.
 
onomatopoeia said:
Lloyds - login is username (they supply),
Click to expand...

That's surprising. I thought the Halifax system was the Lloyds system rebranded with the Halifax logo (it even say Lloyds Banking Group PLC at the top), and I could choose my own username (and even change the username within the online banking).
 
Smile - the Co-op's online bank.

Login =

Account and sort code
2 digits of your chosen 4 digit security code
Answer a random one of five security questions.

When authorising card payments you get a pop up 'Verified by Visa' window and you need to insert the requested 3 letters from your chosen word. This seems to have replaced the card reader thing which I've not had to use for a year or two.

Smile is online only, no high street presence but you can make deposits etc. at post offices.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ST4
Online banking is a pain now. Barclays is the best as can use phone as the card reader.

Why can't they at least have a similar format - its annoying when for one site you need a 6 number password, on another its 8 characters, on another its 8 but has to have a capital. I have to keep a written record... hardly secure!
 
Steep said:
Smile - the Co-op's online bank.

Login =

Account and sort code
2 digits of your chosen 4 digit security code
Answer a random one of five security questions.

When authorising card payments you get a pop up 'Verified by Visa' window and you need to insert the requested 3 letters from your chosen word. This seems to have replaced the card reader thing which I've not had to use for a year or two.

Smile is online only, no high street presence but you can make deposits etc. at post offices.
Click to expand...

Umm but thats exactly what I have now with nationwide and what im trying to get away from, ie 8 different pieces of info :-/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top