Everything you could ask from an online bank (natwest.co.uk)

Member Name: stuff10

Product:	natwest.co.uk
Date:	21/10/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, clear, crisp design, quick to load

Disadvantages: Website should be centered

I use NatWest for my business banking - we originally chose them as they were close to my home (so easy access for paying cheques in, etc), but mainly because they offer 2-years free banking when your business signs up for them.

They also offer an online banking service via their website at www.nwolb.com. After registering for online banking, you have to wait for a PIN and customer number to be sent to you through the post before you can actually use the site. These came through in a couple of days for me and the wait was no hardship. At first you'll need to log-in with your activation code, but after you've done this subsequent log-in are done by entering:

1. Your customer number (8 digits)
2. Three selected digits from your 6-digit PIN
3. Three selected characters from your 10-character password

Once logged-in you'll be presented with a list of your accounts (including the balance, and money available) and a mini statement displaying the last 6 credit and debits to the account.

The site then features all the usual options you'd expect to have from online banking - you can view your statement and download the data to programs such as Quicken, MS Money and Excel, search for a transaction within a given timeframe, transfer money to different accounts and make payments online (including setting up standing orders and direct debits).

I find the NatWest site very easy to use can't really fault it. All the data is displayed in an easy-to-understand fashion. The design of the website is clear and crisp (using a mainly white colour palette with subtle shades of blue), although it isn't centred - hugging the left hand side of the screen when there doesn't really seem any need for it too.

All-in-all, it's a pretty nice website that loads quickly, seems secure and lets you perform mundane tasks with ease.

Summary: Everything you want from an online bank