Firstly, this is a very good service. I have used this service for just over a year and I find myself using it regularly.
Registration.
To use this service you have to be registered. To register all you need to do is visit there webpage and input some simple details, (Name, Address, Ect) and then choose a password. They will then send out a pack within four or five days which contains all the instructions for using the online banking and also your customer number.
To log on
To log on you need your customer number, your password and your pin number and you will need to input these details every time you visit the page and want to view your details. Your customer number is fairly easy to remember as it is only your date of birth (ddmmyy) followed by a 4 digit number which is used for the bank to recognise you. They will then ask for 3 digits of your pin number and three letters of your password. You are then shown a screen which gives the date and time the account was last viewed online. If you did not use it at that time and date then you are advised to call the NatWest helpdesk on 0845 60 50 789 and get it sorted.
Once you’ve logged on.
Once you have passed through the security checks which all in all last about 45 seconds, (depending on internet speed) you are taken to the main page, balances and mini statements. Once you are logged in there is a timer. If you do not click anything on the page within 5 minutes, you are automatically logged out. From the main screen, Balances and Mini statements you can see you current balance and the moneys that’s available, your account name and account number, You can choose to edit you account name and view details from this page as well. It is easy to change your account name although it will only change it for Online Banking. If you click through to the View Details you can find out your sort code, branch address and account description. Back to the main page. You also have the last 6 transactions and the amount as if you got a mini statement from a cash machine. Whilst using the page there is no annoying pop ups or page adverts but on every page you can see the natwest logo. On the left hand side of the page there is a menu. From here you can navigate the site.
Account Info
The first option is the balances and mini statements which I have described above. You can choose to look at your statement and the details on here go back up to 6 months so you can see a fair range of data. You can download your statements for use for example in Microsoft Money. This is a good feature which I use and update it about once a week. This way you can see where all your money goes!! The next option is a transaction search where you can search for transactions by the date they cleared your account. The final option on the account info list is a list of all open credit cards and there balances.
Manage Money
From this list there are several things you can do. If you have two appropriate accounts you can transfer money. You can pay bills, make payments to third parties, control you direct debits. You are able to view or cancel the direct debits and also view the payee, when it was last payed and the amount. You can view and create standing orders, and access the financial planner all from the manage money list. The financial calendar is very useful as you can use it to budget and enter money you are expecting to get and I will say what you balance should be.
Finally from the maintenance menu you can change you password and pin number, order a cheque or paying in book and activate any cards you may which to activate.
Overall I would recommend NatWest Online Banking to anyone who has or is going to get an account with them.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Time saving,instant access and availability Disadvantages: Unable to transfer monies from all types of accounts including international payments
Advantages: Great online banking, good bonuses with student account, problems dealt with perfectly Disadvantages: Problems with Maestro card, long queues at peak times, not all branches have extended opening
rugbyleaguefan 11.10.2009 (11.10.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of NatWest
Jul 8th, 2003
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