Budget Software & Banking

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

The bank that I use, is closing the nearby branch and I've decided that I'll close my account and look elsewhere - but where ?.

In changing the account, one of the considerations is the facility to use online banking. Many of my younger friends tell me, that I need get into the modern world and use online banking; if I do this, I'll be as hip and trendy as are they and by all accounts, it'll take years of my appearance. I'll be able to stand in a prominent position in the pub and people will be impressed, as I use my iPhone to conduct my transactions with Coutts.

What I'd like to know is this :

Are the online banking facilities that banks provide, pretty much standardised across the board ? For example, is the TSB's online software 'better' than that of Barclays ?

Another query is this, my missus has decided to look into using budgeting software - do any banks provide budgeting software or are we better looking into getting something such as YNAB ?

To summarise, we are looking to get into online banking and to use budgeting software; what we require, is something that is fairly simple and straight-forward to use . . . and secure.

Does anyone have any recommendations ?

Ta for reading this.

 

[Markymark]

I use hsbc and it's fine. One thing I will say, depending on the number of customers and suppliers you have switching accounts is a massive pain.

 

[swee'pea99]

Why would you look to your bank for budgeting software? Surely you look for a good bank, as a bank (and as Markymark says, unless you're unhappy with your current one, I'd stick with them - they're all much of a muchness) then look independently for the budgeting software that suits you best. There seems to be plenty out there - these, for eg.

 

[pubrunner]

I use hsbc and it's fine. One thing I will say, depending on the number of customers and suppliers you have switching accounts is a massive pain.

Thanks for the prompt reply - appreciated !

Sorry, I should have made it clear - this is with reference to personal banking only, so no customers, suppliers etc.

 

[Milkfloat]

If you are going to exclusively use your iPhone, you might want to check which banks allow you to setup a new payee through their app. Barclays certainly does, but I know that Santander and HSBC do not.

 

[pubrunner]

Why would you look to your bank for budgeting software?

I'm not so much looking to the bank for budgeting software, as trying to assess what might be available. I just thought that if a bank were to offer a budgeting facility, it would integrate more easily with their online banking. As I mentioned, I've never done online banking, so I'd like to see if a particular bank offers something which the others might not.

 

[pubrunner]

If you are going to exclusively use your iPhone, you might want to check which banks allow you to setup a new payee through their app. Barclays certainly does, but I know that Santander and HSBC do not.

It'll be a challenging step just going over to online banking - which will be done on our PC at home. In reality, I don't think I'll be using my iPhone - well, not until I fully understand how it all works.

 

[Vidor06]

I bank with First Direct, which is online only version of HSBC. They are consistently rated as the best bank for customer service. They will also bung you £100 for switching, which is now almost painless. I previously banked with Intelligent Finance, online only version of HBOS. First Direct is vastly better than IF ever were, both for service and the online experience. My only gripe with banks is that they charge me for using my card in Ireland and given that I am there 4/5 times a year it gets costly quickly. Its tough to find a bank which doesnt charge for this facility.

 

[swee'pea99]

Have to say I'm with First Direct too and have always found them and their online facility very good - easy and intuitive. Can't speak for budgeting stuff tho', I've never budgeted - just spend what I can't afford then do a lot of crying.

 

[Vidor06]

It'll be a challenging step just going over to online banking - which will be done on our PC at home. In reality, I don't think I'll be using my iPhone - well, not until I fully understand how it all works.

I bank exclusively online, but only use the banks app to check my account balance when not at home. I have been with them for quite a while now and have never found the need to use the app for anything else.

 

[EltonFrog]

I bank with First Direct, which is online only version of HSBC. They are consistently rated as the best bank for customer service. They will also bung you £100 for switching, which is now almost painless. I previously banked with Intelligent Finance, online only version of HBOS. First Direct is vastly better than IF ever were, both for service and the online experience. My only gripe with banks is that they charge me for using my card in Ireland and given that I am there 4/5 times a year it gets costly quickly. Its tough to find a bank which doesnt charge for this facility.

I agree with you about First Direct as far as charges are concerned we have another account with Metro Bank that do not charge for overseas transactions, when we go abroad we use that account only.

 

[pubrunner]

Can't speak for budgeting stuff tho', I've never budgeted - just spend what I can't afford then do a lot of crying.

Ha Ha ! That's exactly what my better half does . . . . . . . which is why I made the query about the budgeting sofyware.

 

[ianrauk]

Another one here who swapped to First Direct (From Santander, who I never wanted to be with, but they bought Alliance and Leicester, who I also didn't want to be with, who bought Girobank).

I have to say that FD's customer service is second to none. I am constantly surprised that when ever I need to call them, any time of day or night, 7 days a week. Some one picks up the phone and talks to you like a human being rather then just another punter.

Their website is also very good and very easy to use, on computers and tablets/phones.
FD dealt with and transferred all my myriad of standing orders and direct debits. Just the one form to fill in and it was all done without any hassle. They contacted all and sundry to change them over. Very impressed.

 

[pubrunner]

I have to say that FD's customer service is second to none. I am constantly surprised that when ever I need to call them, any time of day or night, 7 days a week.

Good to see such a positive recommendation.

Some one picks up the phone and talks to you like a human being rather then just another punter.

Such customer service is rare, in this modern world; not everything has improved for the better.

 

[gavintc]

Nationwide for me. The perks are useful and the interest rate is reasonable. I can also pay using my iPhone. I switched fromRBS about 3 yrs ago.