Feedback on Close, Shawbrook, Investec

caveman38

I have seen some good fixed rate deals on some of these not so well known banks (to me that is).
Close Brothers for example have 5 year 3% at the moment. Although not earth shattering, good at todays rates.
It is hard to find reviews / customer feedback on these institutions. Can anyone pass any opinions on their dealings with these banks.

ChesterDog

I have had a few fixed-rate bonds with Close Brothers, including one that came to an end last week. It does what it says on the tin, without any problems.

joe134

Close bros are very good. Been with them years
Shawbrook at this particular moment, I,m finding problems with, but, that probably just my beginners bad luck

buffman

I have used all three over the years and never have had a problem.

MarkFromCornwall

I've had good experiences with Investec over several years, both online and telephone. I wish they'd bring back that account that paid the average of the top five savings accounts.

alanq

I have been dealing with Close Bros by post for several years and everything has gone very well.

The only issue that I had was that when I applied to open an account online I was required to submit documents to prove my identity. Every other financial institution has managed to verify me electronically and as an existing customer this was totally unexpected and unexplained. I cancelled my online application and applied as previously by post and there was no requirement to provide identity documentation.

ChiefGrasscutter

MarkFromMullion wrote: »

I've had good experiences with Investec over several years, both online and telephone. I wish they'd bring back that account that paid the average of the top five savings accounts.

Ah but you forget that the "average" in their case excluded any 1 year bonus rate type accounts which revert to the base interest rate after 1 year: which pulled the quoted interest rate figure right down as they were using the base rate and not the bonus rate.

Ifts

Ive used both Close Brothers and Shawbrook over the years - very happy with the service received from both providers and would recommend.

Got one fixed rate bond with Close Brothers at the moment and in the process of opening the Shawbrook 18 month fix.

eskbanker

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

Ah but you forget that the "average" in their case excluded any 1 year bonus rate type accounts which revert to the base interest rate after 1 year: which pulled the quoted interest rate figure right down as they were using the base rate and not the bonus rate.

Even so, their current rate of 1.46% is still not far short of the best buy instant access savings accounts (1.52% according to the MSE piece) - obviously by design it'll always be below the very best but equally it saves shifting funds around chasing the best buys constantly. As ever, better rates are of course available from current accounts, regular savers, etc, anyway....

Investec are the only institution I've used that uses the one-time password text message even for routine online balance enquiries, which seems overkill, not that that should be an issue for anyone signing up to a long-term fixed rate product.

caveman38

Thanks for the feedback.