The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

RG2015

jwelly said:

I just opened an Atom account and the process was seamless. The security checks were not an issue, just be patient when setting up the photo ID.

I transferred funds from my Halifax current account, no issues at all. The funds appeared in my Atom account immediately.

So far so good. I'll hopefully have an update once I get my first interest payment in.

Just done the same in a matter of minutes. Also, the photo was also easy but maybe because I did it on my iPad.

I was surprised that Virgin Money gave me a successful confirmation of payee, as I had not realised that either bank was signed up to CoP.

I also got instant confirmation from Atom of my transfer from Virgin Money.

UncleK

murphydavid said:

UncleK said:

Anyone had any experience or can offer the best way to deal with Sainsbury’s Bank? We sent them two letters (in the same envelope) so we know they got them – one from my wife and one from me to close her account and our joint account in early June. They eventually wrote to me asking me to call them which I did – that was painful and after a bit of to and fro I asked why the letter wasn’t sufficient to close the account as it has the details they needed. Geezer said he’d call back – that’s was a week ago. And my wife has heard nothing at all.

Tried calling again yesterday and listened to half an hour of their music, which of course is why we wrote letters, as our online access is not working.

So, is (or should) a letter be sufficient to close an account? I know they are being careful, but even so, the account details are the ones they already have on record.

And are Sainsbury’s Bank always like this?

You say "online access is not working" for two separate accounts. Did this happen after the letters were received or before?
As a rule of thumb for the future. In addition to opening accounts with £1 deposit I always reduce the capital in my accounts to £1 before closing them. That way access should remain in place till there is only £1 left to loose track of.
Sorry not to be of any immediate help but if I had a significant sum in an account and lost access and could get no suitable response from the provider I would issue a written complaint ASAP thus paving the way to going to the ombudsman. Unless you know of a good reason why you lost access.
What was the to and fro? Were they unable to close the accounts when you rang?

To close this one out - the key question I wanted answering was whether accounts could be closed by letter (and apologies for not stating that as the nub of my posting). After finally getting through to them again yesterday and another "yes, but, no, but" to that question from the person answering the phone, finally got onto a supervisor who was very clear that letters are NOT sufficient to close accounts and you can only close via a phone call. Which I couldn't do previously but could do this time as my wife was with me this time. What galls is that the letter my wife wrote over a month ago had been ignored. Anyway, got our money back and lodged elsewhere now. Phew!

intalex

.Does an Atom maintenance downtime advance notice usually imply a rate change... at least lately??

refluxer

intalex said:

.Does an Atom maintenance downtime advance notice usually imply a rate change... at least lately??

Nope, not as far as I'm aware. Banks can implement rate changes without the need for any online downtime.

Thumbs_Up

Up dating the app, hopefully keeps the software spec compatible for my phone.

RG2015

Thumbs_Up said:

Up dating the app, hopefully keeps the software spec compatible for my phone.

I doubt they would make you phone incompatible. That would mean you would no longer be able to access your savings.

refluxer

RG2015 said:

Thumbs_Up said:

Up dating the app, hopefully keeps the software spec compatible for my phone.

I doubt they would make you phone incompatible. That would mean you would no longer be able to access your savings.

That's inevitable at some point but presumably they would give notice of any increase to the minimum phone spec required by the app.

RG2015

refluxer said:

RG2015 said:

Thumbs_Up said:

Up dating the app, hopefully keeps the software spec compatible for my phone.

I doubt they would make you phone incompatible. That would mean you would no longer be able to access your savings.

That's inevitable at some point but presumably they would give notice of any increase to the minimum phone spec required by the app.

I guess so.

Until this year I didn’t have any app only accounts. Now I have three, Chase, Atom and the Virgin Money credit card.

I access all three on my iPad and at the moment, Apple are applying all IOS upgrades to my version.

Nevertheless, I do feel vulnerable to the risks of app only accounts.

hgt

Looks like the Zopa smart saver is now up to 1.5% for the access account (or 1.85% for the 95 day boosted pot).

soulsaver

hgt said:

Looks like the Zopa smart saver is now up to 1.5% for the access account (or 1.85% for the 95 day boosted pot).

That must be hot off the press - I looked at mine pm today and they were the 'old' rates...

eta ToTP edited to include. And a 'wow!' ... :Thumb: