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 has been really efficient.
Their web site is easy to use on the whole but some of the pages can be a little slow to load. On a few occasions, I’ve not been able to access my account details as the log-in has timed out but things seemed to have improved in more recent times. Either that or I’ve been accessing my account at quieter times when web traffic isn’t as busy!
Accessing my account online means I can keep a better track of transactions. I can get a detailed summary or simply acquire a balance whenever I need it. I had always been wary about banking online because of security but I have been able to use the service with confidence and am satisfied with the facility.
In 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 service. However, since using the online banking facility, the service has been much more efficient and streamlined.
I still get a monthly paper statement sent through and although Alliance Leicester offers some great services such as low interest rate loans (current 6.9 typical online APR), I’ve never been bombarded with junk mail. The one thing I do miss is their customer magazine! They used to send one out on a quarterly basis and I always found this informative.
Other services: You can apply for a mortgage online (current 5.7% APR) or save 391 pounds with balance transfers when applying for an Aliance Leicester credit card. Other services include commercial banking, share dealing, car finance, insurance and investment banking.
With a Premier Current Account (for over 21s), you can get up to 20 times more credit interest and the lowest overdraft rate on the high street! Plus there's free annual worldwide travel insurance worth 80 pounds on offer!
On the whole, I’d recommend banking with Alliance Leicester for an efficient service. They have certainly worked for me.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Good interest if you keep on-top of their offers Disadvantages: churning: lowering interest & changing account names. Avoid Commercial Bank.
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.
Advantages: Good interest if you keep on-top of their offers Disadvantages: churning: lowering interest & changing account names. Avoid Commercial Bank.
Jan 4th, 2004
very helpful by (17%):
helpful by (72%):
somewhat helpful by (11%):
