Banking without a keypad

[razbox]

Hi,

I moved to HSBC last year because I was fed up of Barclays' terrible secure keypad thingy, eg I kept forgetting it on my travels abroad. Now HSBC have implemented it as well. It's really inconvenient if all you want to do is check your balance and the last few transactions.

I also want something that will work will with an iPad.

Anyone have a bank with a better system?

cheers

[Devilstreak]

Private or business account?

[razbox]

Devilstreak said:

Private or business account?

Private, thanks

[Devilstreak]

I know Lloyds don't use the keypads for Private accounts but do for business accounts if that helps?

[razbox]

Devilstreak said:

I know Lloyds don't use the keypads for Private accounts but do for business accounts if that helps?

Thanks - I'll look into Lloyds.

[number2]

razbox said:

Thanks - I'll look into Lloyds.

You don't need a kepyapd with Barclays just to check your balance and transactions. There is an option on the login screen - "Basic Access". You will need to set-up a password for this.

[5pen]

With Barclays you only need it to make payments to accounts not already set-up as a payee. I don't have one, but still use their online banking.

[Sebo]

First Direct is excellent. Even works on my very old Blackberry. Not used on an iPad

[llewop]

With Natwest you only need their cardreader/keypad for a few online activities like setting up a new payee, so 99% of the time don' need it. Unfortunately a few months ago, I needed the 1% and the damned reader had bust!

[Fer]

Nationwide allow you to do both, either the keypad or by remembering lots of unique data you entered months ago!

[skeeterm5]

Phone banking works really well for just balances and simple stuff

S

[Jakg]

Alliance & Leicester don't issue a keypad or any other system.

[walm]

Sebo said:

First Direct is excellent. Even works on my very old Blackberry. Not used on an iPad

I moved to FD a few years ago and I now understand why they win so many customer awards.
They are 100% total legends.

They answer the phone within a few rings: 24/7.
They speak English (well Northern, but close enough).
They are extremely friendly, down to earth and can-do. None of this "computer says no" bks.
They call you back when they say they will call you back.

Their online banking requires a username, password and favourite place. That's it.

They have never tried to sell me "premium" products.
They won't charge you a fee to set up one overdraft per annum (the second overdraft costs £50 though...).

They do offset mortgages.

I am sure there are more reasons they are great but that's all I can remember right now.

[DJC]

Another FD fan here. Their online services are not as slick as some others but no keypad and it works well for what I need it to do.

I've only ever had one complaint with FD when one of their phone guys said they would do something but didn't, costing me £75 in lost interest from another bank.

I wrote a quick polite note via their secure messaging service asking for them to cover my costs. Phone call next morning "Hello DJC, Gemma from FD here. Looks like we owe you £75. How would you like it? We're also going to give you £100 to say sorry".

I couldn't believe it, I was expecting a flat no or a small gesture of goodwill.

[Ungarsee]

RBS/Natwest. They have an app for mobile banking on the iPhone which is perfect for checking balances, mini statements and transferring between your accounts. I assume it would work in IPad too.

Just need to set up a 5 digit PIN and your good to go

[toast boy]

First Direct again. I haven't heard a compelling argument to bank with anyone else. Works on iPad, iPhone, everyone you speak to on the phone is brilliant and you can use HSBC for normal branch stuff.

For me one of the best things is that the person you first speak to on the phone can most of the time answer every question you have and sort out any problem, and if they can't they will take responsibility and find the person who can. In comparison my girlfriend had a problem with her Lloyds credit card taking a payment from her Lloyds current account, no-one could solve the problem, each department said it was the other's fault, girlfriend ended up being stressed to hell and on the phone for 2 hours in total.

[DJC]

toast boy said:

For me one of the best things is that the person you first speak to on the phone can most of the time answer every question you have and sort out any problem, and if they can't they will take responsibility and find the person who can.

This is true. I've no idea how call centres operate but with FD the phone person will take ownership of your problem and sort it out and/or call you back with a response. I guess they are allowed to come 'off air' after a phone call to facilitate this.

[tig]

Another First Direct vote. Been with them around 15 years - as close to customer service perfection as you'll get.

All companies (but especially Sky) should be made to work this way.

There is an iphone/ipad offering too.

[DanGPR]

Santander online banking works very well, can access it with no problems on my Blackberry, even over EDGE and GPRS isn't too slow.

[4sure]

another one here for First Direct,love the way they answer the phone quickly and HSBC for the manual stuff suits me
No silly key pads either,just make your passwords tricky.