Are halifax just a rubbish bank?

[piggynose]

I´ve been with them 35 years, but when it comes to getting an Online account, seemingly impossible. I originally thought it was my fault, now i know it isnt, when i try to sign in, my password+ or username isnt recognised!!! I´m now on my 5th new password!! and yet another phonecall which is a joke in itself, because the requested numbers to press eg press 1, 2, 3 or 4 dont work properly.
should i change bank?

[grasscarp]

Piggynose you must be very unlucky. I bank with them and the online stuff goes very well all the time. I like the fact they pay me £5 a month to bank with them and that their overdraft charges are very low if ever used.

[piggynose]

Is it because i live outside the uk?

[gingejbee]

According to Which? - yes, they are poor. And their online banking security is very poor (along with Santander). If it were me, I'd have changed years ago!

[piggynose]

ok gingejbee, what bank would you recommend for an online account?

[piggynose]

I use to be with the CO - OP bank years ago, what about them?

[grasscarp]

Maybe being abroad is the problem. Ask them (if you can get through) or use the online support form
https://www.halifax.c...t.asp?tag=online_form

[gingejbee]

piggy: Which? recommended accounts are First Direct, Smile (owned by Co-op), the Co-op itself and Nationwide. Hope this helps!

[piggynose]

just found out, Co-op wont give you an account if you live abroad, will try nationwide.

[Sqad]

piggy...as you know, I live abroad and have two accounts based in the UK, both of which i use on-line with no problems at all.

Nat West and Barclays.

[piggynose]

hi sqad, can i open an account with barclays online/over the internet, i wonder.
or do i need to go to the uk and talk to them personally?

[Sqad]

piggy......I suppose that you can open an account on-line, a bit "faffy" as you will need to establish identity (no big deal) but if you are in the UK i would go and see them personally.

[237SJ]

Don`t go with Santander. They`re dire.
If you`re talking current accounts, I have online banking with Lloyds. I`ve always been with them and never had any problems.

[TheOtherHalf]

Ive had so much more trouble with Halifax than any other bank. Even when trying to sort out my MIL accounts with us now being LPOA. Every other Bank was very understanding about it all but Halifax.......!!! Ive been with Barclays since about 1966 and they have always been great no matter which branch I visit.

[BondyECFC]

They are terrible. have been with them since birth. they will charge you for sneezing. their financial advice is appalling. only way to get them to speak nicely to you is to complain to Financial Ombudsman. Leaving them ASAP

[BondyECFC]

Yes. terrible bank. Will charge you for sneezing and then every additional sneeze and to wipe your nose. Been with them all my life but can't wait to leave. Appalling and patronising customer service. terrible financial advice. No help in times of financial difficulty. Just awful

[piggynose]

thanx everybody. It looks like i´ll have to open an account with Barclays next time i´m in the Uk.
I tried again today to open my online account with yet another new password+memorable info, and as i expected, it was rejected!!!(halifax)

[Samblain]

Having worked in the Banking Industry for thirty years until 1993 I can assure you that they are all as bad. There is no local discretion and staff do not comprehend who pays their salaries. How many today bother with qualifications.

[dotty.]

No Halifax are not just a rubbish bank they are a rubbish everything, yet strangely they are not quite as rubbish as Santander.

[smart1]

I have been with Natwest for 2yrs now, and it is fantastic. I banked with Barclays for 16yrs and in the end had to leave as their customer service was awful. They could have improved since then.

[factor-fiction]

They may be rubbish but in my experience many of the problems with passwords is down to user error. A common problem is that they use the 'save password' facility but then forget and start typing the password again. Caps lock is another problem, as are simply mistyping or misremembering the passowrd.