Specifically HSBC Online Banking (hsbc.co.uk)

Member Name: Absy_Baby

Product:	hsbc.co.uk
Date:	29/04/09 (191 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great easy access to finances

Disadvantages: I get too reliant and if my computer breaks it's hell, a bit obsessive

I have had a bank account since the age of 12, I used to bank with NatWest but after a few disagreements I decided to move on and I thought why not open an account with the worlds local bank, HSBC.

Originally I just assumed it would be exactly the same as NatWest, but hold on, I was instantly set up with online banking.

I am not a computer person, in fact my computer, printer and I have a love/hate relationship. I have not yet chucked anything out of the window but boy I have wanted to. I just don't have the patience.

HSBC have introduced the easy online way to bank. You visit www.hsbc.co.uk, and the banking homepage comes up, to the right hand side is a panel with internet banking as the heading, there are two log on options, personal or business. I use the personal online banking. At first I thought oh god what I nightmare, banking on the computer but I soon learned HSBC had mastered the art of making it simple and easy to use for all customers, not just computer literate ones.

On the website you must click log on, then the next window looks the same and welcomes you, on the left it asks for your input internet banking user ID, this is a number that starts with IB then has ten numerical digits that follows, that's your log on. Underneath the log on is the options:
Forgotten ID
Contact HSBC
Help
Register

When this log on code is accepted it loads the next page, which asks for your date of birth and then asks for three digits from your six digit security code, it asks you for three every time you log on although the three it asks for are different every time you log on. HSBC always state they never ask for more than three, so if you are asked for more, chances are your computer has been hacked.

Very occasionally it won't let me log on and an error message comes up saying there is a problem and to call the HSBC phone number where they can deal with my enquiry. It is very helpful as the specific number comes up relating to online banking as HSBC have a massive directory, and I can never find which number I think I need.

Once you're logged on, it displays a page with your online banking view of your account(s). I currently have three accounts, a student account, which I haven't got around to closing, a current account and an online savers account.

The page is set up in a table and the headings across the top are:
Account Name (eg, student, current, saver)
Account Number
Balance
Quick Links

The overview gives you a look at the current balance(s) and allows you Quick Links (options) on each account which are:
Make Payment
Transfer Money
Activate New Card (not online saver account - as there is no card)

These Quick Links are on the right hand side of each balance and you can click any of these and follow the steps to either transfer money between accounts, or make a payment to someone else, a credit card etc.

I like the Quick Links as they make the whole process easier and they are self explanatory, it is so easy to transfer money to another account or to someone, it asks you to type in the amount and where it's going to then after you've ok'ed it and confirmed it, it's done and the best bit it instantly shows up on your account as gone.

There is also the option to refresh balances and print at the bottom of the table.

On the left hand side of the table is ideas and offers tab, and an apply for products tabs. These are for mortgage quotes, other accounts etc. Under that is My Messages, this is how HSBC will contact you regarding your account(s). For instance, if the interest rate falls are rises (not likely) on my saver account, I will get a message in My Messages telling me what it was and what it will be and when it will commence.

I think the messages bit could be slightly bigger as it often holds valuable information but doesn't seem prominent on the page, I often miss I have a new message because I'm not overly looking at the left hand side of the page.

Clicking on the actual table to your account(s), if you want to see the goings on in your account click on the title name of the account, for egg, current account. This then opens up the account. It looks like a statement but is just online. It has all the payments going in and out of your account, by date, type, description and amount with your balance remaining.

You can look up an statement, you just have to change the dates at the bottom of the page. It is great when you want to double check a payment. It also stops paper statements, which is great, I am quote green and I think online banking is helping to save paper.

It is a lot easier and almost addictive, I look at my accounts every day, just to see what's going on, and to make sure everything that is due in, comes in, and what's due out, goes out.

On the right hand side is the log out button, which you must always press rather than just close the window. I have not yet (touch wood) been hacked or anything like that, I think the security at HSBC is quite good and overall I haven't had any problems. I think if you're not very good with computers it may take longer to get used to the system but it is fairly straight forward and easy to use.

If you do happen to have a problem though and ring up for help.......................GOOD LUCK!

Summary: The one thing HSBC have got right