excellent online bank (Alliance & Leicester)

Member Name: siantone

Product:	Alliance & Leicester
Date:	29/05/09 (43 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: intuitive web design for online banking and you can do much without speaking to someone

Disadvantages: impersonal and too few branches; would be annoying to bank with them over the phone I sense

I joined Alliance & Leicester having tired of 0.1% interest from Lloyds bank. I did receive £100 to join but of course one always needs look past such fat carrots. I was particularly attracted to the online banking aspect and I must say that this is a smooth online bank and would recommend it to people who really don't need to speak to people about their banking issues. I am comfortable doing ALL my transactions online and so this bank suits similar people.

Useful and easy to navigate web tools include being able to set up standing orders and direct debits really easily- plus also being able to amend or cancel them easily too. Also being able to make a one-off payment to people or a company is very easy to set up. Looking at statements and your overdraft limit have never been easier- and you can ask them to up your overdraft through a prompt on the screen. In fact paying all my bills and moving my money in and out is quick because the web design is intuitive with obvious menu choices on the left hand side of the screen.

The only thing I wish was more integrated is the online credit card servicing. It took me a long time to find out how to log in to my credit card account (look for the small 'credit card services' orange button on the right hand menu of the home page). This is not intuitive at all, a real clanger in web design. Clearly many who have a current account with A&L will also have a credit card and thus the two products and services should connect more clearly online.

The other inconvenience is that there are few branches- in central London I use the branches in Piccadilly, Victoria, Gracechurch St and Cheapside in the City of London and the branch at High Holborn if I need to pay in cheques. These are all the central London branches although there are others in suburban London (check the branch finder on the right hand menu of the home page). This is not hugely convenient but not enough of a problem to make me change banks; it might well put others off if they do not live or work near a branch.

Overall, A&L offer an excellent online banking service. I cannot comment on their phone service as I have never used it. The lack of branches is a serious factor for people to consider- I do get quite a few cheques and even though central London is convenient for me, undoubtedly it would be easier to use my local high street. If you wish to bank with someone you can talk to I think A&L will be too impersonal and too frustrating on the call centre front.

Summary: great if you can deal with your banking without needing to talk to someone