LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE COMPUTER! (natwest.co.uk)

Member Name: jojopillo

Product:	natwest.co.uk
Date:	08/05/09 (291 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: STAY WARM AND DRY!

Disadvantages: NONE

I've been with Natwest about two years now and up until a few months ago I continually had to go to my local branch to use my account (apart from withdrawing from an ATM that is) and bearing in mind that I live in Blackpool it's not always the best weather to be traipsing through town just to transfer money, set up a standing order or make a payment. I had often received literature with my monthly statement regarding online banking, but like a lot of people I was quite concerned about the security aspect.

So, during a conversation with a friend one day, she informed me that she had used the online facility and wasn't worried at all. I mused that with millions of people now using this service it has to be quite airtight and decided to give it a go.

I logged on to natwest.co.uk and clicked the 'sign up for online banking' button, and from there just entered my account number and sort code, debit card number and set up a password. If you don't have a debit card they will send you an activation code through the post. Once I'd done this I then had access to my account.

I found it so much better to be able to view a statement from the comfort of my own home rather than have to trudge to my branch or local ATM to see where I was up to. Checking whether my wages had gone in on time, or whether a direct debit had gone out had never been so easy.

The first page you come across once you've logged in is the account summary which is just the balance and last few transactions. Down the left hand side there are more options. You can view standing orders, direct debits, credit card statements, or you can choose to view full statements going back 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, a month, well anything up to six years!

I have a current account and a savings account so both accounts were showing. You can transfer money instantly from one account to the other just by simply selecting from and to which account and by typing in the amount.

At first I was thinking, 'oh my god what if someone hacked in and started moving money around?' Well, let me allay any fears you may have about that, because all you can do at this stage is actually view your account and move money between your own accounts, so even if someone did, money can't be actually moved away from you.

These facilities served their purpose for me for a while but I still needed to go to my branch occasionally because my friend and I do eBay together and after transferring money from paypal to my account I have to send her money for postage and also any profits to share. So when I needed to do this I still physically had to go to the bank and put money into her account.

I tried to do this online but it wouldn't let me. Every time I tried it said I needed a card reader, and without looking into it I automatically thought this was something that only businesses used - like a PDQ machine (you know, one of those machines you use in a shop to pay by card) Well, having looked into it further I found out that a card reader is like an old pocket calculator that they send you through the post. What you then do is put your debit card into it and type in your PIN. It then gives you a generated number which you type in the online system which proves you are the cardholder! Genius! Once you've done this, you can then add a payee (my friend's account, for instance) and each time I want to transfer money to her I simply put my card in my card reader and after entering my PIN, just enter the randomly generated number and the amount I want to pay, and hey presto, it's instantly moved!

After my initial scepticism about using online banking I have come to rely on this as an everyday part of my life and no longer have to brave the elements and queue for ages to do simple banking. The only thing I need to go to the counter for nowadays is to deposit a cheque or cash. Which, let's face it has far more of an incentive than giving money to someone else or paying a bill!

Having only ever used Natwest for internet banking I can't comment on how they compare to other banks, but what I will say is that it is very easy to set up, a cinch to navigate and not once have I ever felt that my security is at risk.

My budget can be quite tight at times and it's nice to be able to check that you have enough in to cover a direct debit, for instance without having to stop at an ATM for a balance (which I always hate doing because I don't know if it's just me, but if you come away from a cash machine empty handed I think people behind you think that you tried to get money but were refused, lol!)

I think if you're a Natwest customer you can't do any harm using the basic service, even if you don't order the card reader. You'll find it such a blessing at times and it'll save you a lot of time trudging and queuing.

I have to give this five stars, as I have found only positives in using this service.

Summary: AN EASY WAY TO CONTROL YOUR FINANCES!