The proponents of on-line banking seem to regard it as the panacea for all ills. It is, when and if it works, but today’s interaction proves it has many hidden flaws.
I wanted to pay an invoice for some work done, simple I thought. Open the app, enter the BACS details as per the invoice’s text and for some reason the HSBC on-line banking system couldn’t find their account. Tried the name in both upper and lower case to no avail.
I emailed the trader, he rang back and confirmed the details with me over the phone. That HSBC couldn’t find the account, even after ensuring the correct details had gone in, is somewhat weird in that they also bank with them.
I then used one of my other accounts using the Halifax banking app and it went straight through first time without a problem.