My primary bank is First Investment Bank.
I chose a quite a while ago because it had the reputation of a bank that was the first in everything.
It's e-banking was uncomparable with the competitition - outrageously ugly, but accepted smartcards and did all I wanted it to do.
Now it's getting different - they changed their system with a new one. Something called FlexCube. Weirdly enough owned by Oracle.
From internal sources I know that the new system sucks and they failed to deploy it for more than a year. And when they finally made it last week during the weekend - my bank card was not working, meaning me without access to my money just before I went to Serbia. I had to take a loan to be able to go - not a pleasant thing to do.
So about the new e-banking interface - it sucks, all my preferences and beneficients are gone. It's ugly and hard to learn.
So I'm looking for a new bank with a decent e-banking services.
I have experience with SG Expressbank and Postbank - they suck too.
Update: the comments following that post reminded me of a story:
I was in the Netherlands. Once talking to one of the guys we discussed how much cash does each of us carry. I did carry a lot, he counted on the cards he had. My case: bank cards don't work on the road, on the street, they can fail, cash cannot fail.
Later that week:
There was this friend with which we drank quite a few drinks and on the way back to the hotel (I was in an apartment, the friend in a hotel) they said the employer forgot to pay the room, so it couldn't be used. We tried all the credit/debit cards we had - no luck - none of them worked. He had to sleep at my place. Cash is bulletproof !
Are you sure the problem with your card comes from the change of the software? I have two Maestro debit cards and one Visa classic credit card in FiBank - I'm using them without problem with the new system. Well, yesterday evening I lost an hour trying to cope with the form for creating an internal bank transfer - the problem comes from usability issues so the next time I think I'll manage it in no time /as usual/.
Are you sure the problem with your card comes from the change of the software? I have two Maestro debit cards and one Visa classic credit card in FiBank - I'm using them without problem with the new system. Well, yesterday evening I lost an hour trying to cope with the form for creating an internal bank transfer - the problem comes from usability issues so the next time I think I'll manage it in no time /as usual/.
Well, count me as the next irritated costumer! A transaction with my Visa classic was just refused in "Mr. Bricolage" store. I called the bank - they claim to have a communication problem on which their IT team is working and which, according to the latest information, will be fixed until 2 pm.
This is the first refused transaction I've ever had!
First, replying to your first post:
I know for sure (internal info) that while the upgrade (maybe not an upgrade) was made, the whole system was down. So my bank card was useless at that time.
That's why they chose so long a holiday to do the switch.
The new software does not provide any new feature. It has the same (maybe less) features implemented in a worse way.
One thing I can't do well is transfer reports - there's a limit for max 15 transfers back - why's that?
Replying to your second post:
I had a similar issue in a Kaufland store. I was really frustrated and had to borrow money again.
The solution: I carry enough cash.