Macquarie Bank
Service: Macquarie Bank
Technology: Browser-based with 128 bit SSL encryption, based on a Netscape Enterprise Server Web server. Macquarie opted for a custom built in-house security system, Web site designed to work on dial-up through to broadband connections.
Balances/transaction updates: Account balance and transaction details are updated (refreshed) every 15 minutes.
Average downtime for 2002: 0.43 percent.
Average transaction time: Varies depending on transaction being performed (ie. trade, funds transfer, BPay, etc). Overall average is approx. 30 seconds.
Account integration: myhome@macquarie provides an aggregated view of clients' investments with Macquarie Bank across cash, managed funds, super, ASX-traded holdings (broker sponsored), and mortgages. For cash accounts held, this aggregated view includes account number(s), last five transactions, balances, available funds and interest paid last financial year.
Consumer services:
- Transaction details
- Statement view and order
- BPay
- Funds transfer
- Change account details
- Unit prices and prospectus orders for cash accounts
- Mortgage and margin lending details are also available online
- Share trading is available online via Macquarie DirecTrade
Company services: Macquarie Research is available to corporates covering equities, debt markets, metals & mining, futures, foreign exchange and economics & strategy. Advisers have access to a WRAP service, online trading, transactional access to clients' cash accounts, and Macquarie's technical library. Small businesses have access to desktop banking and DEFT payments.
Extras: Live stock quotes, investment portfolio, market indices, Macquarie daily commentaries and Macquarie research.
Unfortunately, the reviews only give the features of the banking sites. I have an HSBC, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ and UK based First Direct bank account.
I can say for a fact that the HSBC online banking facility is very poor in comparison to the others with possibly the worst most cryptic transaction list of all the institutions I know of! Looking at the transaction list is totally cryptic and users have to click on every transaction to see what it is - even an ATM withdrawal!!! Not only that but HSBC is extremely slow. However, their online savings account is excellent and offers me the most attractive interest rates.
My favourite is Commonwealth Bank Netbank for it's simplicity and speed. ANZ is also good but has far more clutter on the screen.