Best Building Society/Banks

sv511

badger09 said:

sv511 said:

If you are in Wales or the west of England there is Principality Building Socity.   They pay 4.75% on a cash ISA and 4.75% on a 3-access saver.     They go as far east as Shrewbury and Ross on Wye.   There is a Branch in Chester too.

Both are on-line accounts however.  If you live within a reasonable distance, you could open an on-line with them knowing you could drive to a branch if needed. 

Pricipality pay. 5.5% on a 1-year fixed bond and  4.35% on a 5-access account opened in Branch. 

Another one to consider is Leek Building Society.  They are quite small with only a few branches.   Rates are slighly lower than some of the others.   


All of the above have the £85,000 FSCS protection. 

Your BIB
Do you gave a link? Or name of the account please 

 The one year 5.5%  is a regular saver bond limited to £250/month deposit.  My error. I confused two lines.   They have several high interest regular savers.   The highest is  7.58% but only runs for 6 months. 

https://www.principality.co.uk/savings-accounts/fixed-term-savings-and-bonds/1-year-regular-saver-bond

4.35% 5-Access Saver Opened in Branch --> https://www.principality.co.uk/savings-accounts/everyday-savings-accounts/Branch-5-Access-Bonus-Saver


On line 4.75% Cash ISA --> https://www.principality.co.uk/savings-accounts/isas/Online-Bonus-5-Access-Cash-ISA

Online 4.75  3 Access Saver. --> https://www.principality.co.uk/savings-accounts/everyday-savings-accounts/Online-Double-Access



Disclaimer: This is not financial advice.  I'm merely passing on information that is on their website.    

sv511

Albermarle said:

I have opened numerous savings accounts on line, and never been asked to provide any photo id or any additional id for that matter.

Most online providers will run an automatic check in the background once they have your basic details. Only if this flags up an issue ( and possibly there are some random checks as well) will they ask for more info, photo etc .
I understand a few providers are more rigorous/pedantic about these things than the majority.

Banks and building societies are required to carry out immigration checks on anyone applying for current account. 

My most recent savings account applications asked for details about a current account in my name and my national insurance number. 
 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-status-checks-guidance-for-banks/guidance-for-banks-and-building-societies-on-carrying-out-immigration-checks-on-current-account-holders-immigration-act-2014-accessible

UKX69

In my experience Virgin Money has been the worst to deal with. Many years ago a (for me), substantial sum I was transferring to a Virgin account went walkabout and took two and a half days to be returned to my bank account and that was due to my bank, NatWest, stepping in.