Barclays PINsentry – is it really a simpler way to login?

I seem to be picking on my bank a bit at the moment, so in case they’re watching I’d like to say I think they’re ok (I think that counts as high praise for any bank at the current time).

This time I’d like to pick them up on their recent changes to the online banking log in process. It’s a two-step process, as it was before, however they have now changed the information the customer has to enter.

The information needed on the first screen (shown below) remains the same:
• my surname (pretty easy)
• a twelve digit membership number, which I have to find from some piece of paper I was sent years ago

The information needed on the second screen, however, has changed

Previously, the information needed was:
• a four digit number, which was the same each time, much like a PIN number
• two letters from a password (which in my case was six letters long)

In the new login process, the information needed is:
• the last four digits of my card
• a random eight digit number which generated by putting my bank card into my PINsentry reader (which looks like a calculator with some buttons missing) and entering my PIN number.

So, my question is this: is the new login any simpler?

In my opinion, as a user I don’t think it is, and here’s two reasons why:

Firstly, the one piece of information I always struggled to remember wasn’t the fou digit number or my password, it was the twelve digit membership number, but unfortunately this remains. Not only is it a long number but it’s also not easily available on my statements. I have to find the original letter I was sent many moons ago.

Secondly, although I have to remember two less pieces on information (the four digits and a password) I am restricted by the need to have my PINsentry reader with me.

Ironically, the simplest means to access details is just to claim you don’t have your reader and whack in your card details – simple, mobile and no memory needed.