Internet Banking
Customer View

Business Internet Banking gives you the time and space to do the important things. Like running your business. Available when you want it, wherever you happen to be, it puts you in control of your banking.

Read what one of our customers has to say about this service.

Nicki Barnett, co-founder, Highland Lodges

Offering bespoke holiday packages to corporate and public groups has become much easier for Nicki Barnett once she discovered all that Business Internet Banking has to offer.

Consider if you will, what the primary objective of a banking service for business should be. Is offering customers a unique experience imperative? Perhaps you want to improve relationships with your suppliers. What about a facility that saves you time, or money or both? Is security paramount?

Nicki Barnett, co-founder of holiday company Highland Lodges, has a service that ticks all of these boxes, Bank of Scotland Business Internet Banking. "It does everything I need it to," she says approvingly.

Highland Lodges offers special holiday experiences in Scotland with accommodation in country houses, castles and estate lodges. Nicki and her business partner, Sarah-Jane Fraser, construct bespoke packages for customers using their extensive knowledge and networks in the industry. The very nature of how the business operates is ideally suited to Bank of Scotland's online service.

"In order to provide our clients with their desired package, we have to deal with numerous other companies or individuals for the accommodation itself, food, transport and any other specific activities which have been requested," Nicki explains.

"We can't pay them until the client pays us. Before we got into Business Internet Banking, this was a lengthy process; waiting for cheques to arrive or for someone to go to their local branch."

"Now it's instantaneous! The moment we receive payment I can transfer the money down the supply chain easily. It is hassle-free for everyone. Our customer has an easy experience paying Highland Lodges and the service provider likes us because their payment comes through quickly. That goodwill generates repeat business on both sides so it's a win-win situation for us."

The economic downturn has changed the way people choose to spend their holidays but, yet again, Highland Lodges is ideally placed to capitalise.

"More and more groups of friends or family are choosing not to go abroad to save some money and looking to companies like us," Nicki expands. "However, unlike our corporate clients, where there is usually one point of contact for payment, it's unlikely that one person is willing to pay the entire cost and be liable for everyone else."

Nicki is able to reassure these friends and family groups that, by using Business Internet Banking, Highland Lodges is able to manage and monitor payments from 10 or 12 sources. This relieves some of the stress of a group holiday, offering the client something they may not get elsewhere.

"Customers are saying it is easier for them. That's great because it's also easier for us," Nicki laughs. "We can track these payments without losing ourselves in endless reams of paper."

Highland Lodges is increasingly looking to target these groups, adapting to the changing face of the marketplace and the worldwide economy. However, while having these plans is one thing, implementing them requires that most precious commodity, time.

Since moving to the online service Nicki claims she has saved "endless amounts of time". International Payments, kept in a holding account, which were previously monitored by daily trips to the bank are now moved at the click of a mouse. Payments relating to a particular client can be processed together, making the entire company accounting system neater.

"I used to spend most of my time managing the accounts and finance," remembers Nicki. "Now I am able to travel around the country, use my marketing experience, and get more clients instead."

Not only can accounts be accessed when travelling around the country, but the secure key code access system means this happens safely. "That is really important," Nicki states. "I don't always have a lockable office on the road and I'm dealing with other people's money. The high level of security gives me real peace of mind."

Nicki certainly can see a bright future ahead for Highland Lodges, thanks, in part to Business Internet Banking. "We now have a system that is sleek, efficient, and fast. It's a comfortable fit with a young, vibrant company such as us."

Find out more

For more information on Internet Banking please visit our Internet Banking and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

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