Easy access savings account – easy to set up? In branch or online? Recommendations?

stg123

I’ve been trying to set up an easy access savings account, based on the recommended ones in the savings section, but keep on being stymied.

I set up the Bank of Ireland one that was meant to be 3.05% - this was really easy to do online – they used my credit check rather than requesting lots of evidence/passports etc, but when it was finally set up and they’d got my pound I checked the interest rate and was told 1.8%.

Then I went for the 3.15% Saffron account, and dutifully photocopied, had signed off by an accountant as correct copies, and waited to hear back. On calling them up today, they have no record of my account – apparently there was a problem with their systems. But if they have a record of your application you’ll still get it, as the 3.15% rate has now been discontinued. But they have no record of my application. Bah!

So. Can anyone please recommend me an account that I can easily set up (go into the branch/do online without having to post ID etc etc), that will just work, easy access, as high interest as possible? As I seem to be spending hours trying to make about £20 more a year.

1Amigo

Just go for the Santander E-Saver paying 3.1%. Whilst I might be the exception, I applied online for that account and their current account and within a week I had all the documents through the post and the application was completed.

joerugby

We opened two Newcastle easy saver accounts online two weeks ago. The process was very straightforward. Everything went fine, online identity checks were ok. Cash was transferred from our current account without difficulty

We received our first monthly interest payments today!

Interest rate (for monthly interest) is 2.75%

calypso_rhapsody

I agree with 1Amigo - i set a Santander esaver up yesterday on line in about 2 or 3 minutes (not got the paperwork yet of course). Am an exisitng customer which helps so no need for extra identity checks.

And despite their reputation i have always found the service in branch to be extremely good. Can't be quite so positive about the phone customer service though. Had a bit of nightmare trying to set up a CHAPS payment because the chap on the phone gave the wrong advice - the in-branch staff sorted as quickly as they could

noh

Derbyshire BS NetSaver worked for me with no problem.
Electronic ID check currently paying 3.16%.
http://www.thederbyshire.co.uk/Savings_Portfolio.aspx?id=3491

RedfordML

Northern Rock here, very easy to set up, good rate that stays as no initial bonus, just set rate!

iAMaLONDONER

RedfordML wrote: »

Northern Rock here, very easy to set up, good rate that stays as no initial bonus, just set rate!

Loool the irony!

isofa

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

Loool the irony!

In what way? No irony there as far as I can see. NR they collapsed in 2007, and were nationalised. RedfordML's post in 2011 was correct, it was a good rate and was still under the NR name, and by that time they were either just becoming, already, part of Virgin...