Ok, I admit it... I've been busy recently!! But I'm back now... and writing on Ciao whenever I can! ...
Ok, I admit it... I've been busy recently!! But I'm back now... and writing on Ciao whenever I can! David.
Member since:31.10.2001
Reviews:28
Members who trust:10
I would like to share with you my opinion of the Halifax Websaver.
What is it? ~~~~~~~~~~~ The Halifax websaver is an online based savings account from (funnily enough) the Halifax.
What are it's features? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The websaver has many interesting features. Firstly you can give yourself different "pots" which you can name individually. This is basically like having several different accounts, but named which makes it more personal. How about "Bills Bread Budget" or "Pat's Pogo Pot"?? Se if you can come up with some better ideas!!
Another feature is that you can easily set up different length bonds. Bonds are basically savings which are put in for certain amounts of years and the Halifax offers 3 month, 6 month, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, 4 year and 5 year bonds. The rates for the bonds are quite good too (See rates)
Lastly transfering money is very easy and you an also set up standing orders online. If you are transfering between two halifax accounts it is even easier and is done almost instantly.
How fast is it? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transactions always seem to be completed very quickly, especially if you a re transferring between two Halifax accounts. You can expect most transactions to be done well within an hour if it is a weekday.
The site operates at a fairly reasonable speed - It really depends on what speed access you have. I have a 56k modem and the site seems okay.
But I rather a cashcard. Is this possible? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yes, this is possible but you get a slightly lower rate of interest for the privilidge. To avoid the problem of a lower rate of interest I reccomend you keep very little in your Cashcard "pot" and only transfer money across when you need it. The cashcards are part of the "Link" network, meaning you have access to your money from THOUSANDS of cashpoints accross the U.K including Natwest's and Woolwich's
What are the interest rates like? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The interest rates are VERY competitive and feature highly on the "Money Supermarket(.com)"'s list of reccomended rates. As previously mentioned, the rates are lower for a cashcard account, but you can overcome this problem.
Where can I access/put in the money? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can access the money online (obviously), through thousands of cashpoints and/or via their 100's of branches.
What about if I need help - Fast!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Halifax have a dedicated helpline which can help solve all of your problems. When I have used it they have been fast to answer and have always sorted out my problems. The good news is that it is a national rate number, not a premium rate number so the call charges won't add up!
Any Drawbacks? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yes, as with most online banks. There are still many forms that you have to fill in, so it is not entirely "Online".
Conclusion ~~~~~~~~~~ The websaver is a great service, especially for children as it is easy to use, fast and reliable. There are no monthly charges and they have excellent rates of interest.
I would reccomend it highly to anyone with £10+ to save who wants easy online and highstreet access to your money.
Advantages: Plenty of articles, has some messageboards, excellant quotes facilities Disadvantages: They've just ditched their Shares portfolio service, which was light years better than any similar service on the 'net
Apr 17th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
