Banks clash over Citibank site security

NEWS UK banks Abbey National and Halifax have clashed with Citibank over its online service which allows users to access all their various accounts via one website. Citibank's My Accounts offering brings together all a customer's financial interests - credit card, current accounts, savings accounts, share schemes and even Air Miles - and makes them accessible via the one site. However, Abbey National and Halifax have reacted angrily to the pioneering aggregation service, claiming it presents security risks. Abbey National and Halifax are among the third party institutions whose offerings can be accessed via Citibank's My Accounts facility. However they are angry that their customers are required to submit all their PIN codes and passwords in order to use the Citibank service. Both banks insist they did not endorse the service or agree to be included and, according to the Guardian Halifax is now demanding its name be removed from Citibank's site despite assurances its customers' details are safe.