Quamzin Kravshera ([info]khyron) wrote in [info]pittsburgh,
@ 2008-04-10 17:25:00
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Entry tags:money: banking

best online banking in Pittsburgh?
Greets again Steel City, this is that intrepid n00b again who's getting ready to move up there. I read carefully through all the previously tagged banking posts and got a lot of useful feedback but I have one outstanding specific question to ask you - between PNC, Citizens, and National City who has the best online banking interface?

I'm a former web developer and also former financial services technology strategist, so I've worked on the dark side (oops I meant to say "behind the scenes") of these kinds of things before and it makes me pretty unreasonably picky. I'm also use Bank Of America currently (whose web site rocks completely over all possible options down here in Virginia, including one I've worked on) which makes me even more of a snob about web banking.

Here's a summary of my ridiculous wish list, for feedback or just laughing at:

- good user interface, don't care about pretty, care about function and ease
- savings, cards, checking, every line of business the bank has through one site
- works 100% in any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, or a computer from mars
- multi-factor authentication (the little "see the picture" type stuff that asks you questions)
- secured messaging (ability to contact customer service with the site, not by e-mail)
- downtime isn't in their vocabulary (think Amazon, craigslist, ebay, etc)

I've been playing with online demos and looking at screenshots and stuff, but I don't see a clear winner yet so I'm really eager to hear your opinions - especially from those who may have used more than one of the above and can compare. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

P.S. feel free to add other commentary on these banks as well if you like


(Post a new comment)


[info]talldean
2008-04-10 09:24 pm UTC (link)
Dear lord, how I wish I could shut off multi-factor authentication. Without user training, it's useless, and you cannot expect users to learn this lesson.

Then again, as long as I'm wishing, getting an email that I have a "secured message" would be awful nice.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]khyron
2008-04-10 09:31 pm UTC (link)
Oh some places actually will let you turn it off, or at least will let people "opt in" to it. But in the end, someone down in the Fraud department screams bloody murder and goes on a hunger strike begging the company to stop.

I totally understand how people can find it sort of confounding when they don't want it at first, but it makes so much sense that eventually when older folks die off (sorry, cruel, but it's how the Internet eventually gets to do better stuff) younger customers who have been used to it forever won't mind it at all (and will likely react with fear if it's not offered, especially if they understand identity theft).

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]talldean, 2008-04-10 09:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-10 09:40 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]talldean, 2008-04-10 09:43 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]amergina, 2008-04-11 02:09 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 02:30 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]talldean, 2008-04-10 09:53 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 02:32 am UTC

[info]_orz
2008-04-10 11:32 pm UTC (link)
Since Jan 2007, Federal law has mandated that all online banking use multi-factor authentication.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-10 11:35 pm UTC

[info]7_21_70
2008-04-10 09:34 pm UTC (link)
I've had really good luck w/National City.

(Reply to this)


[info]equusdraco
2008-04-10 09:38 pm UTC (link)
National City has been pulling my dick quite a bit. I am just to lazy to switch over to Citizen`s right now.



btw, Bank of America rocks my socks off, but alas, not here in the `burgh. for shame.

(Reply to this)


[info]allthingsnoisy
2008-04-10 09:43 pm UTC (link)
I love First Commonwealth's online banking system. They never pull surprises, it looks clean, runs fast, and has all of the features you are looking for (not sure on being able to view it from Mars, however). I've been with FCFC for 12 years and wouldn't dream of going elsewhere.

(Reply to this)


[info]r0b0tafflicti0n
2008-04-10 09:47 pm UTC (link)
I use First Commonwealth (checking) and ING (savings). No complaints, LOVE ING.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]khyron
2008-04-10 10:05 pm UTC (link)
ING is the undisputed pimp masta of all direct Internet banking where savings is concerned, for sure. I'm resistant only because I adore having all my junk with one financial, but if we ever split things up I'll be all over them.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]r0b0tafflicti0n, 2008-04-11 12:36 am UTC

[info]t3knomanser
2008-04-10 09:47 pm UTC (link)
Citizens is pretty good.

* User interface is fine.
* Savings, cards and checking yes. Every line of business, no. Investment services, for example, are separate.
* I've used it on a Mac, Safari, Camino and Firefox.
* Multi-factor is a go
* Haven't checked. Probably.
* I haven't checked uptime stats or anything, but it's never been down when I needed it.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]31337zeke
2008-04-10 11:09 pm UTC (link)
I like Citizens as well. I have seen their online banking be down for maintenance, though. I forget when, but it was an oddball hour, like 7 AM on a Sunday morning or something like that. I don't have a credit card with them, but my two checking accounts (one of which is a joint account) and savings accounts interoperate very well and I really like the bill pay service. The only bad thing is that I don't think the other person on the joint account can't see my scheduled bill payments and such, but I'm the payer of bills for our household, so it doesn't much matter.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]ras2883, 2008-04-11 12:55 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]sekkie, 2008-04-11 01:16 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 01:27 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]cpdavngr, 2008-04-11 02:50 pm UTC

[info]grace_is_gone
2008-04-10 09:56 pm UTC (link)
Dollar Bank.

- good user interface, don't care about pretty, care about function and ease

Check.

- savings, cards, checking, every line of business the bank has through one site

Check.

- works 100% in any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, or a computer from mars

Every computer I've tried it on. I don't get to Mars much.


- multi-factor authentication (the little "see the picture" type stuff that asks you questions)

Check.


- secured messaging (ability to contact customer service with the site, not by e-mail)

Check.


- downtime isn't in their vocabulary (think Amazon, craigslist, ebay, etc)

Downtime for an hour, MAYBE once a month, if that.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]adelheid_p
2008-04-10 11:09 pm UTC (link)
I've run into downtime on Dollar Banks online site but usually at 10 pm on a Sunday and not very often. Any accounts associated with your SS# are available in the interface. I've never used the messaging feature. They also have a cute little calculator app but I don't use it. I've used the interface in both Firefox and IE. I don't have a basis for comparison with other banks. I've been quite happy with Dollar Bank for many years. My daughter uses National City and has had issues with them but the branch office that she deals with has been good to her.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]relena_wolf, 2008-04-11 01:04 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 01:09 am UTC

[info]uglybracelets
2008-04-10 10:27 pm UTC (link)
I have used both National City and PNC, and I like PNC better, but also I just like them over all as a bank. Their customer service is very helpful, and sometimes will even refund an overdraft or other charges depending on the circumstances. Where as with National city, they just say.. sorry not our problem in so many words.

I don't know that they have "secured messaging", but they have everything else you are looking for.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]ls56
2008-04-11 02:18 am UTC (link)
they do, but it's faster to call the 800 number.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 02:38 am UTC

[info]_orz
2008-04-10 11:29 pm UTC (link)
Have you considered using an online-only bank?

I personally use INGdirect (www.ingdirect.com). Very user friendly website, works in Opera and Firefox, multi-factor authentication, and friendly customer service. The interest rates beat anything you can find at brick and mortar banks (I'm also quite fond of their "no minimum balances" policy). I have used them for years and have been very satisfied. Have never experienced any problems, either.

You can also find several online banks at www.bankrate.com. I'm only mentioning INGdirect because I have personal experience with them.

Concerning banks in the area, I keep a checking account open at PNC. Their online banking meets your needs--multi-factor authentication, non-clunky or eyesore-inducing interace, works in different browsers. The only reason I don't use them for more is because I can get better deals at ING.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]khyron
2008-04-10 11:33 pm UTC (link)
I have considered it, and I probably should have mentioned that but my post already felt sort of obnoxiously long and I didn't want to cut it and have nobody read it, so...oops.

Basically for all my geekery, when it comes to money matters I just really like going to talk to meatware. I know it seems silly, but it's just how I am. The one thing a web site can't do well is parse out a multi-variable inquiry you have about various services or financial vehicles, and I seem to have a lot of those.

Even a place that gives great phone kind of underwhelms me. It's a silly personal preference.

If we were to go online, however, ING or USAA (military in-laws) would be top choices I think.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]bojojohn
2008-04-11 12:31 am UTC (link)
I use Charles Schwab (which rocks in that they reimburse you for ATM fees and pay you a high APY rate) for checking. Our brick and mortar bank is a Federal Credit Union that needs major help in their online interface.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]khyron, 2008-04-11 12:54 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]bojojohn, 2008-04-11 01:33 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]mrfishes, 2008-04-19 02:56 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dreamalynn, 2008-04-11 09:07 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]bojojohn, 2008-04-11 01:37 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]dreamalynn, 2008-04-11 04:08 pm UTC

[info]deadinplastic
2008-04-10 11:36 pm UTC (link)
PNC has really awful setup that is desingned to make you fail. They hold checks longer than any bank I have dealt with and fees are quite excessive when compared to smaller banks or credit unions. I used it very carefully, but it is really no fun when you have to be afraid of your bank.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]khyron
2008-04-10 11:42 pm UTC (link)
When you say hold checks, what exactly do you mean - checks you deposited from someone else like a paycheck, or checks you wrote to another party?

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]deadinplastic, 2008-04-11 02:19 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]unixd0rk, 2008-04-11 05:56 pm UTC
PNC
[info]dharmagrrrl
2008-04-11 12:36 am UTC (link)
I just moved to town and needed to find a local bank quickly, so I signed up at PNC after grilling them about their online access. I was living in Alaska before here, so I need to be able to transfer funds to myself online. They failed to mention that though there is online banking that met my needs, I would not actually be able to activate my online account until I received the debit card in the mail in a week or so. Very frustrating.

On top of that, they hold all out of state checks being deposited for four days after the first month, but longer during the first month. This includes my checks to myself. I've come across this problem at banks before and have been able to get a waiver on the hold time because ALL of my checks being deposited are from out of state, but I have not tried with PNC yet. I'm not sure I'm going to keep the account there.

As far as the online access goes, it's decent now that I have it set up. The delay was annoying. There is multi-factor authentication and a way to send messages through the site. I use Mac, it works fine in Camino and Safari. However, they do start you out with a default user ID of your SSN, but to their credit the opening screen suggests changing it.

The in-bank service was excellent at the East Liberty branch. They also have a fancy coffee/tea/etc machine available for you to stop in and use any time as well as computers.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: PNC
[info]khyron
2008-04-11 01:01 am UTC (link)
Thanks, that's good advice about the out-of-state stuff.

If we go PNC, I already figured out that we have a really easy option for switching things around (that I'm sure wouldn't have been as easy in Alaska). It just so happens that there are a small handful of PNC branches right here in Virginia on the way between our place and my brother-in-law's. So if we decide to go to PNC, we can go to a BoA branch up there when we visit soon and then just walk some bank (not personal) checks down the street to PNC in person and get everything switched on the spot between the two without even waiting for wires.

I'm sure mailing debit/credit cards takes several days no matter what, but we'll just have some cash on hand for the transition week and make sure nothing automated (like EZ Pass or Netflix) that hits our cards is forgotten.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: PNC - [info]dharmagrrrl, 2008-04-11 01:28 am UTC
Re: PNC - [info]svisconti, 2008-04-11 01:51 am UTC

[info]erimaria
2008-04-11 01:00 am UTC (link)
Other people have mentioned Citizens, but I wanted to add that my credit card through them is NOT on the same site as my checking and savings. It drives me crazy, not to be able to check everything all at once.

And UI is okay, but I do find myself clicking on "view" checking account and going to my monthly history. I have to click on "checking account" to see my statement. I'm sure the site clarifies this, but if it's not written into the hyperlink, I generally don't pay much attention. It's a really small issue, not enough to bug me, but I thought I'd let you know.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]khyron
2008-04-11 01:02 am UTC (link)
Wow, thanks! That's a huge deal for me, I mean I hear all the voices touting their customer service and that's awesome, but I've dealt before with a bank that has someone else (not a division of their own company) do their credit cards and it was totally a hassle (single web site integration or not).

If that's the case for all of Citizens card products, I'm afraid it takes them off the shelf for us.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]erimaria, 2008-04-11 01:34 am UTC

[info]kathasdied
2008-04-11 06:54 am UTC (link)
Ehh, in the end.. after seeing/using PNC, NCB, Bank One, this that and everything else - I stick with National City.
They're actually growing, and new NCB locations are popping up all over the country. I am perhaps a bit biased, because I grew up in Cleveland and the only bank I dealt with was Nation City until I was 20.
Other banks took my app to open a new account, and said "nope, sorry... can let you open an account" (long story - xhusband writing back checks all over Ohio with my checking accounts). But NCB said "Well, this is what we can see. Here is what your options are.." I could have gone with one of those "virtual checking" accounts, that charges you for certain things.. or wait until those 'bad things' on my credit/bank report to go away. NCB was nice enough to notify me when I was cleared to open a normal checking/savings account.
I got the notice after waiting (several f***ing years) and now I have a free checking with a linked free savings with them.
Totally kick ass of them, above and beyond helpful. They recently opened a branch in FL by my family there, and they were able to send them (my family) a "ATM only" card so we could easily transfer money between us w/out having to go into the bank or send checks back and forth. The ATM card they have has limits, and I can cancel it or limit it as I wish. The pin # for that card also different from any PIN I use for my account/debit card.

SO... I'd vote for NCB, and be sure to stick with the local branches. The people working there are nice and helpful, and have always gone above and beyond to help me out with issues (like getting an ATM card sent to someone else, in another state, to my checking account, with limits - it actually required faxing forms/signatures back and forth between the Sq. Hill branch and the branch in FL).
Ooo. and the online NCB = good. I like being able to transfer my money between checking and savings (I have it set to auto-transfer X amount every month into savings). Paying bills on NCB is easy and simple. Exporting my account activity is easy, and they even have several export options - which is nice for me, since I have a Mac and don't use the typical MicroShit apps for money management.
Anything else?

(Reply to this)


[info]unixd0rk
2008-04-11 12:27 pm UTC (link)
check out dollar bank. not only is their online banking pretty useful (pay all of your bills, do transfers), they aren't loaning your money over to huge corporations to slap their name on another unneeded sports venue. they seem to support smaller businesses and families, for the most part.

they do have occasional scheduled downtime, but it's never really been a problem for me. they give you pretty much everything in your bullet points except 100% uptime.

admittedly, they have a limited number of atms, but they are part of the freedom alliance.

i've never had a single problem with DB's customer service either.

(Reply to this)


[info]titania_le_fey
2008-04-11 01:43 pm UTC (link)
I have been using Citizens for the past ten years and have had no problems at all. They have a great online interface and it is very easy to set up auto payments for bills and such. Also, I have found that every Citizens bank I have been to in the area has had wonderful staff. The same goes for their phone help and online help.

(Reply to this)

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