I was attracted to the Alliance and Leicester's 'Online Saver' account because of the relatively high interest rate offered. Today when I checked, the interest rate is 5.35% which is higher than most of the mainstream competition.
I applied for this account online via their website. I find ... Read review
Advantages: Competitive interest rate Disadvantages: Unfriendly literature, unhelpful staff, website difficult to use
I was attracted to the Alliance and Leicester's 'Online Saver' account because of the relatively high interest rate offered. Today when I checked, the interest rate is 5.35% which is higher than most of the mainstream competition.
I applied for this account online via their website. I find their home page almost assaults the eye; it's as though they want to shout about every link on there and ultimately it's just too much and in my ... ...I did not find the Alliance and Leicester's website easy to use at all. From what I can gather, they have one interface for several accounts and therefore there are options listed there that are not applicable to each account. I became so unhappy with using the website because I was experiencing difficulty transferring money from the account I decided to close the account.
I would certainly not recommend this account for online banking ... more
I was attracted to the Alliance and Leicester's 'Online Saver' account because of the relatively high interest rate offered. Today when I checked, the interest rate is 5.35% which is higher than most of the mainstream competition.
I applied for this account online via their website. I find their home page almost assaults the eye; it's as though they want to shout about every link on there and ultimately it's just too much and in my opinion it looks 'cheap'. It didn't take too long to complete the application form and about seven days later the account was set up.
To notify me that my new account was ready, I received two letters through the post, one letter had a pin number and the other letter a username so that I could login. There was a minimal amount of detail in the letter, just barely enough instructions to get you logged in. There was no friendly leaflet informing you about the Online Saver account to help get the most out of the account. I was disappointed with the literature.
When you log into your new Online saver account, you change the pin number for security and complete other security questions. The username is a long number which is not easy to remember, if you lock yourself out, you have to call the computer helpdesk and ask them to reset the pin number. A new letter is sent several days later allowing you to log back in.
During the application process, you are asked to nominate a third party bank account to allow you to transfer money in and out of your Online Saver account. Choose carefully because there is no facility to change this online once the account is set up.
I have successfully used a couple of other online banking websites with no problems at all. However I did not find the Alliance and Leicester's website easy to use at all. From what I can gather, they have one interface for several accounts and therefore there are options listed there that are not applicable to each account. I became so unhappy with using the website because I was experiencing difficulty transferring money from the account I decided to close the account.
I would certainly not recommend this account for online banking beginners (or even intermediates!).
I could not close the account online and so I phoned customer services. Alliance and Leicester have an enormously complicated telephone system! There are an alarmingly high number of options and it's not always easy to be sure you have picked the right one. I have found after making your keypad choices, it takes at least 12 minutes to speak to a person.
I confirmed I wanted to close my account and asked if the balance of my account could be sent to me. I was advised the person I was speaking to could not help me with this, even though they were the 'Online Saver helpdesk'. They said they had to put me through to Leeds. Unfortunately, this resulted in me being put back into a queue and waiting for another 10 minutes before getting through.
Leeds helpdesk advised me they would send me a cheque with my balance and they would close my account. In fact it took them 7 days to close the account. However I did not receive a cheque. I called Alliance and Leicester and once again they put me through to Leeds, after a total of about 20 minutes I was told that in fact they did not send out cheques, they had transferred the balance into my 'nominated account' which in fact I was no longer using! I asked Leeds for their telephone number in case I needed to speak to them again, they refused to give it to me.
I have not had an Alliance and Leicester account before and I can say with confidence that I will not have another one! There is nothing about their service or online account that was beneficial. A high interest is not everything!
Advantages: A hard copy statement can be printed out. Disadvantages: No identification of who has been paid, or paid you, although this information is provided in the normal monthly statement sent by post.
I’ve had an Alliance & Leicester Giro A/C, or National Girobank as it was before the sell off, since 1973.
When the World Wide Web came along, and brought with it the concept of accessing your Bank Account via a home computer, I thought “Great, soon I’ll be able to go online, switch funds at will quickly between my Current /Savings/ Budget A/Cs Etc, set up or cancel Direct Debits, make extra payments to Credit Cards if required, ... ...Online Banking, with Post Office facilities looks a lot superior (wouldn’t be hard) to Alliance & Leicester’s, and will probably be my final choice.
So the "Alliance & Leicester Online Banking Service" looks as if it will be getting voted by me, as they say, the “Weakest Link”……Goodbye! ...
Kalidonya 22.02.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Advantages: Easy account management, helpful staff including in branch, good interest rates Disadvantages: None known
Alliance & Leicester, under Santander's wing, have been better than we ever expected of a bank. We opened a current account in my wiife's name in about 2004 originally, as this was required when arranging a most competitive A&L remortgage, and have had her salary paid into it since. Although we've only needed to make half-a-dozen calls, we've always had a fast and effective response; which is so refreshing after nightmare problems with HSBC (but ... ...in- and out-goings by logging into A&L's website. Transfers to our (former) joint current account with Cahoot are simple and quick; so no need to set up all the household's direct debits again. We also enjoy the benefit of a local A&L branch where the staff are positively helpful; and keen to provide a good competitive service. Now our student daughter is happy with her new current account with A&L too. ...
Flash123 25.11.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Advantages: Efficient service, reliable, good range of services available, easy to use online banking facility Disadvantages: There's nothing that really comes to mind. Apart from the occasional down-time online, the service is really good
I have been with Alliance Leicester (formerly Girobank) for some 20 years and have been using their online banking facility for over a year now. Previously, I relied on their telephone banking rather than dealing with a branch but I’m now able to do everything online through the web site, from ordering cheque books to administering Direct Debits. In fact, I’ve not needed to call Customer Services for months, as managing my account online ... ...the time I’ve been with Alliance Leicester, I’ve only had cause to complain once for a delay in receiving a cheque book, which isn’t bad going for the number of years I’ve been with them. And the only other grumbles: I have to send cheques payable to my account by post which often delays cheque credits. Also, when I used to use the telephone banking, invariably, you would have to wait several minutes to get through to customer ...
Fenwick 04.01.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Efficiency of service
Competitiveness of char...
Online - Content/organi...
Online - Reliability/sp...
Online - Ease of applyi...
Online - Investment tra...
Quick review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Have just opened an online savings account with A & L. There website is easy and accesible to use. Security seems to be spot on with plenty of security questions and codes to enter. The information to set up the account was sent by post within a couple of days and the transfer of money was also problem free in setting up. The interest seems to be at the higher end of what is being offered by other banks and building societies and you dont have to pay in on a regular basis if you dont want to, one off payments can be made. The website works well and is easy to understand, use and find your way around - excellent overall. ...
aliceellen1974 06.09.2008
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Quick review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
We have had an online a/c with Alliance and Leicester for about six months. I greatly preferred 'The One Account' which was friendly and efficient, but circumstances meant we needed to change accounts.
Incidentally, why do British banks always act as if they are doing you a favour?!!
Would I recommend the Allliance & Leicester?? No. Even though it seems to have good security, it never comes across as a bank that really values your custom ...
JohnWinlow 22.04.2008 (18.04.2008)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Alliance & Leicester Online Banking
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Alliance & Leicester Online Banking"
Advantages: Market leading financial products, good online banking Disadvantages: Poor customer service in branch, over selling of products
about the latest mortgage offer available or the current offer on credit cards or savings accounts. I appreciate that banks are a business and need to maximise profits but it is irritating being targeted in this fashion (particularly as the offers promoted are rarely market-leading and I could almost certainly find a better offer elsewhere.)
Thankfully, Halifax current accounts can be accessed online. The whole setting up and accessing of the onlinebanking service is very straightforward and I have never had any issues or difficulties with the online service. I also use Alliance & Leicesteronlinebanking and, of the two, I much prefer Halifax. For one reason, my log-in details include letters and numbers and I find that much easier to remember rather than the totally random eight digit number provided by A&L.
As well as my own ...
Advantages: high interest and easy access Disadvantages: none
This bank account is one of the best around not only because of the high interest rates involved (6.85% for balances of under £3000 and 7% for balances of over £3000) but also because of the service it provides.
I know that there are other banks that may offer slightly higher interest rates but these are usually onlinebanks. With an account from the Alliance & Leicester you have instant access to your cash whenever you need it via a handy cash card. It is also easy to lodge money in your local branch. ...
Advantages: Good customer service, competitive rates of interest Disadvantages: I'm still pretty much skint
? Children receive a passbook in their own name (whoopdeedoo)
? Minimum opening balance of £1
Interest rates - £1+ = 4.40%
WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM?
Yes I certainly would. Service was very fast, and staff are incredibly helpful. A telephone helpline is always there ready to help you if you need it, and I?ve only ever been on hold for about two minutes, although in that time they did play this really annoying AllianceLeicester song over and over until I was ready to throw the phone at the wall. On the positive side, the interest rates are pretty competitive, and the onlinebanking facility is kinda cool (I?m only little, leave me be).
AllianceLeicester do a huge range of different accounts, as well as mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and motor finance.
Website: www.Alliance-Leicester.co.uk
Any comments are very welcome. ...
