online banking

Top 5 Common Online Banking Enquiries of 2019

Many of us have not only one financial question and answer so here the full list of the most popular ones this year. This basic information refers to most banks. Still, it is recommended to check out all the details and updates at your particular bank before any proceeding any financial operations, creating new accounts, etc.

How do I register for the online banking service?

When you open an account or saver account, you are automatically registered for Online Banking. Your Customer ID and Access Code will be sent to you in the post. For security reasons, these are sent to you separately. You can also register for the Online Banking service by contacting the bank’s helpdesk. 

Please note that usually, you must have the Current Account or Saver Account at your bank to be eligible for Online Banking.

What do I need to be able to activate my account?

In order to activate your account, you must have received your unique Customer ID and your 5 digit Access Code in the post. Only then can you activate your account by clicking on the «Activate Now» button.

How do I pay a utility bill? 

To pay a utility bill (ESB, gas, etc), as with any payment, the first thing you need to do is to set up a payment mandate for that utility by selecting the ‘Create’ button on the main Payments screen. Once set up, you can use this payment for all future payments.

You will need to know the sort code and account number of the utility, as well as your customer account number, and enter the information as follows:

Payee Name: Utility Name (so that you will recognize it in your list of payment mandates) 

Reference: Your unique customer account number with the utility Sort Code: The sort code for the utility (6 digits) 

Account Number: The bank account number for the utility (8 digits)

Click ‘Continue’ and check to make sure all the details of the mandate are correct. Answer your security question, and click ‘Confirm’. You will be brought to a confirmation screen. If you have an email address registered with your bank, it will send you an email to confirm that your payment mandate has been set up. When you click ‘Continue’, you will be returned to your list of payment mandates and your new utility/payment details will appear in the list.

Once the payment mandate has been set up, you can select it from the list at any time and use the ‘Make Payment ‘ button to pay your bill. Just select the Payment Date and enter the amount to be paid. Once you are sure that the amount and date are correct, answer your security question and click ‘ Confirm ‘.

Please note that it may take up to 5 days for your payment to reach your utility.

How do I cancel a Standing Order?

To cancel a Standing Order, select the Standing Order you wish to cancel by clicking on the Payee Name. Select the date on which you want the Standing Order to end. Please note that you must give them at least 5 business days notice if you want to cancel a Standing Order, or the bank will not be able to guarantee that the funds will not be withdrawn from your account.

You will need to answer your chosen security question. Once you have entered the correct answer and click ‘ Confirm ’ your Standing Order will be deleted.

I have switched my current account but I can’t see all my Direct Debits in my online banking list. Will I miss a payment?

Several companies, including insurance companies, finance houses, local authorities, utilities, financial institutions, suppliers, and any other organizations which receive regular recurring payments, use a scheme called Direct Debit Plus to manage their Direct Debits i. e. they sign customers up to their Direct Debit scheme over the phone or via the internet rather than by asking the customer to sign a paper mandate.

These Direct Debits usually appear on your statement with the narrative OP/ & the company name. Under this scheme, when you switch your current account, these Direct Debits will not appear on your online list until the company requests the first payment from your new account. Once the first payment is made, the Direct Debit will appear on your online list.