The New Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

GOTfan

KevinG said:

GOTfan said:

Hi, I haven't commented on the Forum for a long time but I wanted to drop in to give some feedback about "Sidekick", as still being advertised in the Top Savings Accounts list. I tried opening an account with them - went through the ID checks, etc - and then at the last step discovered that they only have a limited range of banks that they allow as the "linked" current account. My current account is with Smile (= Co-Op Bank / Coventry Building Society), hardly "exotic" but they don't support it. Bah. So just a warning for anyone else thinking of opening an account with Sidekick - you'll need one of these current accounts: Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Chelsea BS, Danske Bank, first direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Starling, Tesco Bank, TSB, Ulster Bank, Virgin Money, Wise, YBS.

Just don't. Sidekick was a nightmare that I've only just recovered from!

Oh? Good job I couldn't open an account then 

dcs34

ircE said:

For existing/previous Chase/Chip customers, Chetwood remains the top True EA account, while cahoot takes the lead for those in need of instant access.

It may be worth noting that existing Chase customers may be eligible to open the Chase Saver with Boosted Rate at 4.8% - which beats the rate offered to new customers as well as Cahoot?

KevinG

dcs34 said:

ircE said:

For existing/previous Chase/Chip customers, Chetwood remains the top True EA account, while cahoot takes the lead for those in need of instant access.

It may be worth noting that existing Chase customers may be eligible to open the Chase Saver with Boosted Rate at 4.8% - which beats the rate offered to new customers as well as Cahoot?

Indeed, my wife and I have both opened one and moved the bulk of our savings to it.

ircE

dcs34 said:

ircE said:

For existing/previous Chase/Chip customers, Chetwood remains the top True EA account, while cahoot takes the lead for those in need of instant access.

It may be worth noting that existing Chase customers may be eligible to open the Chase Saver with Boosted Rate at 4.8% - which beats the rate offered to new customers as well as Cahoot?

Thanks, I've edited the comment to include a more general note about both Chip and Chase.

Zaul22

Not relevant to top rates but Tandem are now removing the multiple connected accounts to just use one nominated. That's a nice security upgrade. 

pecunianonolet

Zaul22 said:

Not relevant to top rates but Tandem are now removing the multiple connected accounts to just use one nominated. That's a nice security upgrade. 

Some see it as positive, I see it as a disadvantage. 

Bridlington1

@soulsaver

Saffron BS E-Saver Account (Issue 22) 4.50% £10 min NLA ~~~ Replaced by issue at 4.25%

Malchester

Bridlington1 said:

@soulsaver

Saffron BS E-Saver Account (Issue 22) 4.50% £10 min NLA ~~~ Replaced by issue at 4.25%

Interesting. I have this account (Issue 22). On their website this has been replaced by Issue 21 at 4.25%. Is the issue number a mistake, or have they brought back Issue 21? Probably not be long before Issue 22 drops to 4.25%

nottsphil

GOTfan said:

Hi, I haven't commented on the Forum for a long time but I wanted to drop in to give some feedback about "Sidekick", as still being advertised in the Top Savings Accounts list. I tried opening an account with them - went through the ID checks, etc - and then at the last step discovered that they only have a limited range of banks that they allow as the "linked" current account. My current account is with Smile (= Co-Op Bank / Coventry Building Society), hardly "exotic" but they don't support it. Bah. So just a warning for anyone else thinking of opening an account with Sidekick - you'll need one of these current accounts: Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Chelsea BS, Danske Bank, first direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Starling, Tesco Bank, TSB, Ulster Bank, Virgin Money, Wise, YBS.

YBS don't offer current accounts.
What have they got against the Co-operative Bank?

nottsphil

ircE said:

True EA accounts are easy access savings accounts which can be opened (and the headline interest rate earned) from £1 and allow for unlimited deposits and withdrawals. This excludes accounts that are limited to smaller balances, accounts with fees, and accounts only available via savings platforms. Instant True EA accounts are those True EA accounts which advertise immediate deposit and withdrawal times 24/7. Highlighted entries show changes since last time: blue for new entries to the respective table, and red for rate reductions.

cahoot and Hampshire Trust Bank return to the scorecard with their latest offerings. Newcastle BS makes a somewhat unusual debut with an account that matures in 6 months - just in time for Christmas.

A note on Chip/Chase: their battle continues more than what is shown on the scorecard, which only goes by what I see on moneyfacts for my selected filters. Chip is offering a 4.76% account with limited access to new customers, and Chase is offering selected existing customers a boosted rate of 4.80%. DYOR etc.

For those who care neither for Chip nor Chase, Chetwood provides the leading account for True EA accounts, and cahoot takes the lead for those who would like instant access.

The MPC announces its next decision next Thursday, 8th May.

My instant access money is earning 4.75% AER  but it doesn't qualify for the list as it contravenes two of the criteria, the reason I am looking for a second one. At the time you compiled it however, the Saffron Building Society was offering its E-Saver at 4.5%, so was its exclusions solely because of its £10 minimum balance? 
Does anyone know of any other accounts that would make this list but for a petty minimum balance requirement?