[Gllug] Re: Any bank not in the dark ages?

[Mike Leigh]

The best bank I have found for online use is first direct.  As for being
helpful when you call them they go out of their way to answer your query.  I
have dealt with lloyds, natwest(uugghhhh), egg, smile, barclays before
finally making the move to first direct.  The move was painless.  I did mine
manually but they can do it for you if you so wish.

Their web interface works well in mozilla firefox.  The only slightly
annoying thing is that it loads in a new window but you cant have everything
can you.  (ctrl + click solves the new window thing anyhow).  You can apply
for loans credit cards etc online.  You can move money between accounts (not
sure about over the pond though).  Without logging on I cant remember the
other features.  If anyone wants a screenshot (butchered of course :)) then
let me know and I will make one available.

p.s. first direct is known as the most recommended bank and from my
experience I can see why.  http://www.firstdirect.com or you can call them
on 08456 242424.

This is how banking should be :)

Mike Leigh

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Jones [mailto:rich at annexia.org]
Sent: 20 August 2004 11:02
To: Greater London Linux Users Group
Subject: [Gllug] Re: Any bank not in the dark ages?


Sarah Ewen wrote:
> I applied for a smile account on 7 April. A week later they 
> had approved it and opened the account, but I'm still waiting
> for my cards to arrive. I've received the pin number, but the
> card has been marked as lost and they're resending a new set.
> 
> Apparently their London couriers have a habit of not leaving
> calling cards if you're not at home, so the operator I spoke
> to advised me to request receiving them by royal mail, which
> I have done. Still no sign of them :(
> 
> I really, really hope this is just an infortunate start 
> though, as I like the thought of banking with an ethical
> bank. It used to be that you couldn't access their site from a
> Mac, but I think that may have been resolved.
> 
> fingers crossed.
> 
> Sarah.

Stig Brautaset wrote:
> I tried getting a coop account, but after 2-3 months of them screwing
> around with my applications (yes, I too gave them the benefit of the
> doubt and applied once more after they screwed up the first time).


I've now spent two months trying to get a joint account with Smile,
and I've finally given up.  Apparently they are unaware of the fact
that people change their names when they get married (yes,
unbelievable that isn't it ...), so it's basically impossible for my
wife to get together enough proof of identity.  Even a signed letter
from her doctor which we had to go out of the way to get was rejected.

Also their website does some strange thing with Javascript which makes
it impossible to focus on any field ...

So I'm _still_ looking for an online bank with a clue ...

Rich.

-- 
Richard Jones. http://www.annexia.org/ http://www.j-london.com/
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