the hell that is british banking

i decided to change banks as im not happy with the current one. so i looked for the bank with happiest customers and good online services. First Direct was a clear winner. ok so i do the online application, great so far. 2 days later i get the starter pack and my card - very clear communication etc - great , i can see why theyve got happy customers! then, i need to call a number to get my account really activated (my account details were in the letter so it already exists, but ok whatever). on the phone we went through the details i had given in the application such as my birthdate, phone, email, address, previous address and probably even underwear size... ok extensive but we are setting up a bank account so i get it. then, she asked me to create a 5-10 letter password which will be used for phone banking. so i need to spell this password to the person over the phone. then, she asks for the city i was born in. then she asks for my mothers maiden name. then a memorable date. then a momorable address. umm. really? i hope she is not working from home, this was really uncomfortable. she said its secure cos she asked me whether anyone can overhear me or if the call is being recorded on my end. on their end it is recorded. i dunno, i think the biggest security risk is giving these details directly to a PERSON. i was certain this was the best scam ever if it wasn't that i'd definitely opened the account on FD website (not following some URL) and the letters in the mail looked really solid.

after the call i start setting up the banking app. the banking app asks for my account details and random letters from my passcode which i set set up over the phone. then:

1. i need to create a username
2 i need to create password
i would say normal up to this point, on the app. then
3. i need to pick another  memorable question like childhood pet name and give answer
4. i need to pick 2 more memorable questions like favourite flower, and give answers.
5. they send me activation code1  by email (it's 8 char long)
6. they send me activation code 2 by text (also 8 char long).
7. i am asked to create a "digital secure key password", which can't be the same as the password i created in step 2.

im sure this is like a 'deep scam', the bank might not even exist, they've just up everything so they can milk your info. cos with all, they can surely get access to almost anything of mine. if i was to ever hack a bank, i'd try First Direct because their database is... dangerous. i also dont know what kind of security checks the customer service have, but with the information she alone asked from me, she could do anything. she also said they have a voice recognition thing when u call them, so i guess that will be set up later. someone needs to tell them its not quantity but quality! FFS i feel less secure now cos it just seems messy and they have too much data. and with so many security questions i need to do the thing youre not supposed to do which is to write them down, im bound to get in trouble with them eventually when i call and they ask me this or that. 

the banking app i admit is pretty neat, so simple. i just transferred myself 20£ to test and in a few weeks they will automatically close my old bank account and move everything over. so should be hassle free. 

UK banking in general is really very 19th century, unbelievably old fashioned. i hope things get better from now. if in a coupel weeks time all my social media accounts are hacked i guess i will know who it was, lol.

went for a walk today just before sunset;