1 Year Fixed Rate Saving Accounts With Smartsave

Justiceforme

Was trying to open a new 1 year fixed rate account but they have shut the site down, for what ever reason.  I expect they will no longer offer the same rate or remove the account altogether?   I was not familiar with this bank, so I needed to do some research, sending money to a company you have no knowledge of is very risky.   Within a couple of hours of doing this the site closed down.  I know those who hesitate are lost but I needed to check things out for a couple of hours my own peace of mind.

xylophone

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-7209785/SmartSave-launches-table-topping-one-year-fixed-rate-savings-account.html
This?

wiseonesomeofthetime

The tab says "Offline for Maintenance", though I suspect, like you, it is buying itself time to relaunch a fixed term saver at a lower rate (and, perhaps, other accounts).

The above article states that it is a small digital bank based in Wrexham, so no doubt would be unable to handle a flood of applications if they offer a rate considered high in the current market.

Jim431

You are lucky you didn't get through. Yesterday I spent ages going through the application process but it failed at the linked bank account verification stage.

I tried Santander and Halifax bank accounts both opened within the last 15 years. Their system doesn't work with old accounts.

You have to enter your name as it appears on your bank card. You only have three goes before the application is cancelled. So I started again and went around several times trying all combinations.
MR A B NAME
mr a b name
A B NAME
a b name

Also tried the account name which was FIRST MIDDLE SURNAME.  Nothing worked.

Then opened an account with another savings provider with the same Santander details, no problem at the verification stage, and I didn't have to provide the card name.

So I give Smartsave 0 stars out of 5 - needs to do better
Check out https://www.trustpilot.com/review/smartsavebank.co.uk

Justiceforme

Nightmare:

Jim431

Just got this email which I think is good customer support...

We’re getting in touch to say sorry.

When you recently tried to open a SmartSave account, we experienced a temporary technical issue which prevented us from being able to review and verify the bank details you shared online, and continue your application. 

We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused. We designed our online savings application to be quick and simple so we completely appreciate that this wasn’t the experience you were promised.

We’re currently fixing the issue and as soon as it’s resolved, we’ll get back in touch with you to let you know you can apply for a SmartSave account again, if you wish to, on the same great rate you were applying for during your last application.

We apologise again for the experience you had with us recently. We hope you can give us the opportunity to make it right and help you open a savings account very shortly.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime.

SmartSave

Justiceforme

At least they contacted you, which is good CS.  You cannot contact them via phone only web chat!
Thanks

Justiceforme

This is what the site is saying at present.  But no rates showing?

Our great rates have been snapped up!

We’re not offering Fixed Rate Saver accounts to new customers right now but don’t worry, we’ll be back soon.

In the meantime, you can take a look around our website to learn more about our savings accounts.

Existing customer? Log in as usual

All eligible deposits with us are protected up to £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.Learn more about the FSCS

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colsten

What AER did they offer?

Justiceforme

1 year fixed rate at 1.37.

iburt

This organisation acted like scammers.

When I tried to open an account, They Harvested all my Data: Name, Address, First School, Password, DOB, etc..etc....

Right at the end of the process, they said they could not give me an account because my linked account had been open for too long ?? !  

They could easily have established that at  the  start of the process (even if it was a valid excuse ).

This organisation exhibited classic scamming behaviour-  avoid them, and save your hard-earned money elsewhere !