Abbey

Posted on 9 Apr 2008 at 14:47

www.abbey.com

Rating: 2/6

While Abbey has revamped the publicly accessible part of its website several times in the past couple of years, thee-banking service has seen far fewer updates. Until February, accessing the site with any browser other than Internet Explorer resulted in users being given a warning that their browser was unsuitable and possibly unsafe. Firefox and Safari users could still access the site, but having to click and disregard a security warning when banking online doesn't breed confidence.

Fortunately, Abbey has finally joined the 21st century. The updates made to the site have smartened up the interface and menus: whereas before it appeared basic and clunky, it now looks, for the most part, straightforward. However, it's not the quickest or most responsive banking website, and the menu options aren't always entirely logical. For example, the Move Money option only refers to shuffling cash between Abbey accounts; you need to click on Payments if you want to move money to a non-Abbey savings or current account.

Logging in requires a card number and two other pieces of information:an alpha-numeric passcode and a registration number. Using the card number saves time because you don't need to remember a separate login ID, and you can change both passcode and registration number via the site.

You can also change your email and phone contacts online, but to alter your address you need to visit a branch or provide written details to Abbey. This can be a pain when you're moving house, but it does at least mean your online login doesn't have complete control over your bank account.

Statements can be downloaded, either as CSV files suitable for Excel and other spreadsheet programs, or as QIF files for Quicken and Microsoft Money. You can also apply for overdrafts and manage multiple Abbey accounts, but the bank doesn't offer anything in the way of email/text message alerts or mobile access.

Recent changes have improved Abbey's online banking site, but it still lacks features that others have offered for years. It covers the basics of statements and money movement well, but the slow interface is a concern.

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