First Direct Macs up with customers

First Direct is sending out a letter to users of Apple's Safari web browser, explaining why they can't currently use it to access their online banking accounts.

A spokeswoman for the bank told silicon.com it is sending a letter to inform users of Safari - which is supplied as standard with Macs - it is "actively trying to resolve the situation as quickly as possible".

Last Thursday, First Direct started moving its 700,000 internet banking customers to a new, more secure system. Safari users subsequently found they were unable to access the bank's website - despite being able to so before the changeover.

The spokeswoman said problems arose with the Safari browser because it is not an "official browser" so was not tested to see how the switch affected usability.

According to the spokeswoman, First Direct sent a letter to customers about the switch but did not tell customers unofficial browsers may have problems.

She added that less than three per cent of First Direct's online customers are Safari users.

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First Direct does not yet have a timescale for when Mac users can use Safari again, the spokeswoman said.

When trying to log on to the First Direct site via Safari, users are recommended to install Firefox to access the internet banking service.

All First Direct's online customers have also been told they must set a new username and some must also change their password and personal questions as the bank tries to make its internet service more secure, said the spokeswoman.