Citibank
Service: Citibank Online, Citibank Australia
Technology: Citibank does not provide security specifications to external any parties for security reasons. This ensures minimal exposure and protection for customers. The Web site works best with a Pentium 133 Mhz or higher; 33.6 Kbps or higher modem; 32 megabytes of RAM; Microsoft Windows95 or NT version 4.0 or higher and a browser that supports 128-bit encryption and JavaScript.
Balances/transaction updates: All online financial balances and transactions are live, so are updated in real time.
Average downtime for 2002: Average time unavailable, Citibank has had very little down time over the last 12 months.
Average transaction time: Average time to access an account summary and simple information is four seconds, average time for secure mail is 20 seconds.
Account integration: Ability to view Citibank accounts such as Credit Cards, Personal loans, Revolving Mortgages, Cheque Accounts, Rewards account, Online Cash Management Account.
Consumer services:
- Purchase bank drafts/cheques
- Account and bank transfers
- BPay
- Overseas payments
- Order cheque/deposit book, order statements, electronic statements
- Download transactions in various formats including Microsoft Money, Intuit Quicken, CSV/Excel and OFX.
Company services: A range of services provided through Citibank's corporate banking Web site.
Extras: Market Watch, Message (e-mail service), Change ATM PIN, Change address. Citibank is also currently working on the following enhancements: the ability to customise and personalise the following features according to customer's preference-- Quote Finder (check share prices), Market Watch (chart up to 4 indices), news update (read the latest world, business, top & financial news items), share portfolio tracker and e-mail based event reminder.
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.