The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

t1redmonkey

pearl123 said:

Is this worth going for Harpenden BS 3.69% £100 min or do you think it won't be long at the top? 
I've not long opened a Family Building Society savings acount only to cull it, as it wasn't competative. 

Depends how much hassle you feel it would be to open it and fund it.  I mean technically it's not at the top now anyway, with the Chip account at 3.71% and the new Hanley Economic BS one at 4.25% (but that one seems very restrictive and not really 'easy access').

Most likely this game of 'leapfrog' will continue a while longer with easy access accounts anyway, they seem to be steadily creeping up all the time so you might need to get used to opening new accounts if you want to stay on a leading rate!

Having said all that, depending on the amounts of money we're talking about, a few decimal points increases here and there may not actually mean much anyway in the grand scheme of things.

TiVo_Lad

t1redmonkey said:

pearl123 said:

Is this worth going for Harpenden BS 3.69% £100 min or do you think it won't be long at the top? 
I've not long opened a Family Building Society savings acount only to cull it, as it wasn't competative. 

Depends how much hassle you feel it would be to open it and fund it.  I mean technically it's not at the top now anyway, with the Chip account at 3.71% and the new Hanley Economic BS one at 4.25% (but that one seems very restrictive and not really 'easy access').

Most likely this game of 'leapfrog' will continue a while longer with easy access accounts anyway, they seem to be steadily creeping up all the time so you might need to get used to opening new accounts if you want to stay on a leading rate!

Having said all that, depending on the amounts of money we're talking about, a few decimal points increases here and there may not actually mean much anyway in the grand scheme of things.

The application process was straightforward, albeit slightly weird that they make you electronically sign an actual application form rather than just tick some boxes. I've not had the ID or Account details yet (opened on Monday), so maybe they're coming via snail mail. Even if the account is only suitable for a few weeks, there's no harm in opening it and then moving your money on. I've just binned a Charter EA Account that I opened only a week ago after they didn't raise the rate and the Family BS Account has moved on too.

The amount you have to invest and the incremental rate will influence you own decision; I generally can't be bothered for 0.01% either.

flobbalobbalob

Zopa withdrawals seem instant now !

SeriousHoax

flobbalobbalob said:

Zopa withdrawals seem instant now !

I withdrew £100 on Friday and it was there within seconds.🙂

karlie88

Opened a Hanley Economic branch saver instore. Took 15 minutes. Even received online banking details within an hour via email. They have a mobile app too which is good to see.

Deposits can be made via debit card as well FP, SO, cheques etc. Withdrawals are not as bad as I thought; you can set up a nominated account and ask for payments to be sent across over the phone.

Overall very good service especially with such a big gap to the next best rate.

ForumUser7

karlie88 said:

Opened a Hanley Economic branch saver instore. Took 15 minutes. Even received online banking details within an hour via email. They have a mobile app too which is good to see.

Deposits can be made via debit card as well FP, SO, cheques etc. Withdrawals are not as bad as I thought; you can set up a nominated account and ask for payments to be sent across over the phone.

Overall very good service especially with such a big gap to the next best rate.

I'm chancing my luck by posting in the forms - hoping they'll open it for me. Did they tell you which number to call to request withdrawals over the phone please? They told me that the passbook must be present for the branch saver withdrawals to be processed, but I'm wondering if perhaps I need to speak to a different team to organise that.

refluxer

karlie88 said:

Opened a Hanley Economic branch saver instore. Took 15 minutes. Even received online banking details within an hour via email. They have a mobile app too which is good to see.

As the account is branch/post-based, do you get any form of online access to it ? I was presuming not, but even being to view the balance would be better than nothing and would help with confirming that deposits have arrived.

karlie88 said:

Withdrawals are not as bad as I thought; you can set up a nominated account and ask for payments to be sent across over the phone.

That is definitely much less restrictive than the cash or cheque via branch or post options listed. Presumably you'd then be able to update the passbook at your leisure ?

Bridlington1

ForumUser7 said:

karlie88 said:

Opened a Hanley Economic branch saver instore. Took 15 minutes. Even received online banking details within an hour via email. They have a mobile app too which is good to see.

Deposits can be made via debit card as well FP, SO, cheques etc. Withdrawals are not as bad as I thought; you can set up a nominated account and ask for payments to be sent across over the phone.

Overall very good service especially with such a big gap to the next best rate.

I'm chancing my luck by posting in the forms - hoping they'll open it for me. Did they tell you which number to call to request withdrawals over the phone please? They told me that the passbook must be present for the branch saver withdrawals to be processed, but I'm wondering if perhaps I need to speak to a different team to organise that.

I suspect you have a very good chance of being able to open it. From their savings product guide (page 3):

To open an account you must be permanently resident in the UK. Simply call into your local branch, download and complete an application form from our website thehanley.co.uk or contact us on 01782 255000 to request a savings pack.

Bridlington1

refluxer said:

karlie88 said:

Opened a Hanley Economic branch saver instore. Took 15 minutes. Even received online banking details within an hour via email. They have a mobile app too which is good to see.

As the account is branch/post-based, do you get any form of online access to it ? I was presuming not, but even being to view the balance would be better than nothing and would help with confirming that deposits have arrived.

karlie88 said:

Withdrawals are not as bad as I thought; you can set up a nominated account and ask for payments to be sent across over the phone.

That is definitely much less restrictive than the cash or cheque via branch or post options listed. Presumably you'd then be able to update the passbook at your leisure ?

I have 2 post/branch based accounts with Mansfield BS and both of them can be viewed online so I wouldn't be that surprised if you could get online access. I believe the same is true for Beverley BS. 

MichaelAP

ForumUser7 said:

Have you contacted the companies specifically and told them the ID you have and asked if anything can be done? Sometimes it says at the bottom of the lists that they may accept other non-listed items at their discretion. Might be worth a try, but no guarantees of course. Good luck

My sincere apologies is continuing with this but to answer your acceptable question:-
Indeed yes I tried; 

After not being able to provide Chase with the Photo ID requirements they requested I contacted them direct and tried to explain my situation. 

I explained I was in the Armed Forces for 27 years but invalided out after an injury that left me 80% disabled.
Now no longer able to legally drive and medically unable to travel abroad I do not have in possession Driving Licence or Passport.
Whilst I could purchase said Passport I would be doing so not for what it is issued for but to prove whom I was.
As I already have two legal documents that show all details required for proof of ID I fail to understand why I should pay for the Passport when only used for identification where again I already have two other documents.
I even offered to show them my Ex-Forces Passport now clipped at the top.

Chase reply was they do not offer any other means other than the items listed.
In other words, totally disinterested.
I have mentioned this to my MP whom has taken my details and hopes to raise questions at a later date.

Being Ex-Forces and disabled my principles are paramount especially as I fight daily with authorities on disability and Veteran’s welfare matters. As such the idea of purchasing a Passport simply to appease some unknown pen-pusher is the furthest from my requirement.

Thank you kindly for your interjection of “Good Luck”. Appreciated. 🫡