Whenever I go to a website and am asked to register, I usually close down the browser. But this time I decided to go ahead and test out Bankmonitor.co.za, a site that claims to provide an authoritative and independent source of information on banking products and services.
The site says it has ‘introduced powerful, personalised comparison calculators to help you work out the best financial products for your personal needs”. Lofty ideals, especially in South Africa where, to a cynic, it would seem banks just think up a figure and add three zeros.
The site allows you to compare the transaction fees for different banking products and gives you key information on the basic features and benefits of these products.
Marije Pierson from Infochoice said the website relaunched recently and is ‘running fine”. She said Bank Monitor has a good working relationship with the banks, which it invited to submit comments.
The site has a list of bank products, from savings accounts to comparisons of home loans. For example, based on the information provided on money market funds, Standard Bank offers an attractive entry product into the money market in terms of its low opening balance requirement and good interest rates.
James Fowle, pricing executive at FNB, said his bank fully supports the concept of a website that enables customers to compare bank pricing — and gave Bank Monitor the thumbs up.
He did, however, have some concerns that information of great value to consumers is not featured. For instance, he said, FNB’s electronic pricing option, a service he described as one of the most popular and cost-effective options, is not featured.
Despite its limited reach and shortcomings, the website is important because it is an independent monitor of the banks. The registration process does not take long and the first three visits are free. Thereafter, though, you have to pay for the service.