iSky Research has successfully applied for a Current Account with Tesco Bank (UK), via the bank's desktop web digital banking channel as a non-account holder. The process for application was straight forward, commencing with a screen that notified us that there would be five steps involved, as well as listing the terms and conditions for the account, the bank's privacy policy and other pertinent information, including a contact number if required.
The application process involves multiple personal information questions, including some that are typically unique to United Kingdom Current Account applications such as employment and wage information (Step 2 Your Finances), and the details of other accounts held in the UK. During the process the applicant is also provided an application number, and asked to create a password for their application - allowing them to return to it at a later date if necessary.
All steps are shown in screenshots below.
At the end of the digital application process we were advised that the bank would "need to carry out some additional checks" to complete our application. What followed was an application pack in the post, and an email shortly thereafter confirming that it had been sent. Having completed the paperwork and sent it back in the prepaid envelope, iSky Research was notified a few days later via SMS that the account had been approved, and further information including a debit card and further account information arrived shortly thereafter via post.
On the same day that we were alerted to the opening of our new Tesco account, we received an email from the bank highlighting some of the features available to us as new Tesco's account holders (screenshot number ten below) - including desktop and mobile banking, and Tesco Clubcard points. Somewhat oddly, the email we received encouraged us to 'Log In Now', despite the fact that we did not yet have the necessary account information to do so.
However, once we held the necessary information we were able to commence the digital banking registration. Due to an error with our browser at the time of registration we are only able to show you one screenshot from the registration process (which is preceded by a screenshot of the bank's website homepage - demonstrating the registration link).
Importantly, Tesco uses a unique security measure wherein the customer's digital banking customer account is logged against the computer or device they are using when they login to a web based digital banking channel. This means that the bank is able to add an extra layer of security when the customer is logging in for the first time (post-registration) from a new machine. Demonstrated in the final five screenshots below, the bank requires the customer to complete an SMS one time password process to then link their digital banking customer account to the machine. This is a process or security layer iSky Research have witnessed in a number of mobile applications provided by a variety of banks from different countries - but it is the first time we have seen it applied to a web based digital banking channel.
If you'd like to see more digital banking intelligence from iSky research, get in touch with us today to trial our Cumulus service - with hundreds more blog posts just like this one, and a purpose designed digital banking infographic that contains over 5,000 more screenshots and explanations - we're sure you will agree that it is the world's best digital banking research resource.
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