I have always been a Natwest banker, ever since I became 13 and could have a solo account, although it wasn't anything special it allowed me to have the freedom to spend my money at the point of sale rather than withdrawing cash. Online banking is the next step in banking freedom and through my experience Natwest have done a good job. Since I joined up the process has become far easier, instead of phoning up Natwest you can do the whole process online. It asks you some simple Personal questions and lets you choose a password of your choice which you can then sign on with.

The logging in is very easy, it uses your four number PIN you have chosen and your password. To login you have to enter three numbers from your pin in the order requested and three letters from your password again in the designated order. Once you are in navigation is very easy and all the features are accessible via tabs along the left hand side of the screen. The main screen has a summary of all your accounts including the account number, balance and available money. You can also click into each account and look at all the movements in more detail over set periods of time, one month, two months six months etc.

Managing your money is very easy; you can make transfers, set up new accounts or even create down payments all without leaving your chair. For the last point however you now have to use the new card reader they send through the post. The card reader generates a number that you then have to enter on the net in order to validate your movement; it checks by scanning your bank card that you insert in the reader, I find this a good step towards fighting fraud which is becoming ever more widespread. It is also possible to do account transfers to other accounts if for example you owe your friend money, a lot easier than getting the cash out, then giving to them only to pay it in again, saves both you and the bank time and effort.

Regarding this Natwest are always sending reminders and warning messages regarding any new fraud methods that become apparent and constantly remind you of ways to reduce your chance of being targeted.

Natwest are also trying to reduce their environmental impact by asking users to opt for online statements as opposed to paper ones, which I have personally gone for. I don't need a piece of paper to tell me how much money I have in my accounts, usually it is five or six days old anyway, I can get an up to date look right off the net anytime I want.

Overall the site is very simple to use and as yet I have had no problems with downtime, the site also runs very quickly. If the computer is left idle for 10 minutes it will automatically log you out, great if you are checking your account on a public computer, it again reduces the chance of being fraudulently attacked. I will continue to use online banking and advise anyone with simple computer abilities to use it also; it will save you a lot of time and effort.