The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

happybagger

What a performance. You'd think they'd announce a change as significant as this. Not sure when mine matures but I won't be using what's app. I don't need to access it otherwise.

They were good on the phone to open the account for me without the selfie nonsense and I think they will be flexible when needed.

Bobblehat

AmityNeon said:

Bobblehat said:

AmityNeon said:

Whilst Progressive BS have handled their system upgrade atrociously, they are more 'progressive' in terms of moving away from SMS OTPs. Passkeys and hardware security keys may still be too niche for widespread adoption, but authenticator apps—which exist as desktop apps too, e.g. Ente Auth, OneAuth, KeePassXC (guide)—aren't something to actively resist if you prefer web banking.

I don't actively resist anything techy that my eyes can read! So, would Progressive BS allow me to use PC versions of the Apps you mention above to logon? Or is it something either I and/or Progressive would have to enable asap?

You should be able to enable it yourself as long as you're able to log in (via phone support if SMS codes aren't being received). Once logged in, head to your Progressive BS profile (top right), Edit (My Details), Edit (2nd Factor Authentication) and choose Authenticator Application.

Thank you, most helpful. A solution that doesn't cost £89 and wipe out the lion's share of the interest from the RS. 
 

With the very odd exception, my dumb-mobile, landline and PC have enabled me to operate many scores of accounts from dozens of Banks/BS's over the last decade and a half. When I took out the Progressive RS, I was able to use the same equipment I own to manage it. Progressive BS in their wisdom decided to change the way customers manage the account, with no advance notice (to me at least). If I had known in advance that they were going to do this I would have put my deposits elsewhere .... there are so many accounts to choose from, so there is always a similar enough one to pick that better suits me! All is not lost, just a few adjustments to make it work!
 

soulsaver

where_are_we said:

soulsaver said:

charlie12525 said:

Hanley Economic Building Society

Received an email detailing interest rate cuts w.e.f. 01/07/25.

The one that affects me is the Online Reg Saver which drops from 4.7% to 4.4%.

This was one of my best reg savers due to the high monthly pay in allowance but I have now changed my standing order from the max of 1000 to the min of 250. Might close it later this month.

When I got to the stage that cash flow'd mean I'd have to take money from a same rate/better ac to fund the Hanleys I decided not to add any more. That was 2 months ago.

After the rate notification I've reduced the bal to £1k and I'll wait for the 60 day notice of closure (or rates everywhere else fall to make 4.40 competitive) before deciding whether to close it.

As you say, an open ended RS with a high deposit is NTH.. if the rate is even 'just OK'.

And the Skipton 5% EA needs funding....

HEBS online regular saver - "60 day notice of closure" - I was unaware of this. My notes state 5 penalty free withdrawals allowed each year which does not tally with 60 day closure notice. I all but emptied my account a few months ago and stopped my monthly payments at the beginning of the year. Interest rate reduction email today states -

What can I do if I am not happy with the new interest rate?

You will have a period of 30 days from the date you receive this email during which you may close or switch your account without notice, loss of interest or having to pay any penalties. Please note that depending on the balance of your account additional identification or bank transfer fees may apply.

So no notice of closure is necessary and I have closed my account today by secure message.

It's the Hanley that has to give ME 60days notice to unilaterally close the account for me missing paying in.

soulsaver

Kim_13 said:

where_are_we said:

soulsaver said:

charlie12525 said:

Hanley Economic Building Society

Received an email detailing interest rate cuts w.e.f. 01/07/25.

The one that affects me is the Online Reg Saver which drops from 4.7% to 4.4%.

This was one of my best reg savers due to the high monthly pay in allowance but I have now changed my standing order from the max of 1000 to the min of 250. Might close it later this month.

When I got to the stage that cash flow'd mean I'd have to take money from a same rate/better ac to fund the Hanleys I decided not to add any more. That was 2 months ago.

After the rate notification I've reduced the bal to £1k and I'll wait for the 60 day notice of closure (or rates everywhere else fall to make 4.40 competitive) before deciding whether to close it.

As you say, an open ended RS with a high deposit is NTH.. if the rate is even 'just OK'.

And the Skipton 5% EA needs funding....

HEBS online regular saver - "60 day notice of closure" - I was unaware of this. My notes state 5 penalty free withdrawals allowed each year which does not tally with 60 day closure notice. I all but emptied my account a few months ago and stopped my monthly payments at the beginning of the year. Interest rate reduction email today states -

What can I do if I am not happy with the new interest rate?

You will have a period of 30 days from the date you receive this email during which you may close or switch your account without notice, loss of interest or having to pay any penalties. Please note that depending on the balance of your account additional identification or bank transfer fees may apply.

So no notice of closure is necessary and I have closed my account today by secure message.

I think they mean HEBS will give the customer 60 days notice to close if 3 deposits are missed.

Correct. Thanks

35har1old

jameseonline said:

dcs34 said:

Saffron Member's Month Regular Saver

It looks like a new issue of the Members Month Regular Saver is being added to their website, though currently hidden:

https://www.saffronbs.co.uk/savings/regular-savings-accounts/members-month-loyalty-saver

When I checked on Friday this instead led to a 'page not found' error message.

I've managed to apply via online banking. I do have an existing MM RS which will mature on Tuesday 3rd June.

Good luck because you not supposed to have 2 members month at the same time.

Don't worry they'll blame it on the computer if it's noticed 

35har1old

flaneurs_lobster said:

Bobblehat said:

AmityNeon said:

Whilst Progressive BS have handled their system upgrade atrociously, they are more 'progressive' in terms of moving away from SMS OTPs. Passkeys and hardware security keys may still be too niche for widespread adoption, but authenticator apps—which exist as desktop apps too, e.g. Ente Auth, OneAuth, KeePassXC (guide)—aren't something to actively resist if you prefer web banking.

I don't actively resist anything techy that my eyes can read! So, would Progressive BS allow me to use PC versions of the Apps you mention above to logon? Or is it something either I and/or Progressive would have to enable asap?

I've used authenticator apps on a smartphone for years but never one running on a PC, so thought I'd try one of these out and try and swap my ProgBS account from Google Authenticator to EnteAuth.

EnteAuth download and setup on a laptop is straightforward, trying to change authenticator app in my Progressive profile (there's a button for this) produces spinning dots which have been spinning for 20 minutes, so I'm assuming that's broken.

In theory it should display a code either as a QR code (usually for reading with a smartphone authenticator app) or the same code as a long text string which I could cut'n'paste into EnteAuth.

Well I tried.

Might work for someone who is setting up an authenticator from scratch but I can well understand that anyone who has cash in ProgBS and a working login method may not want to muck with their setup at the moment.

And, of course, in order to try to change your authentication method you need to be able to logintntn....

. My authenticator app with progressive only requires me to open the phone it brings up the approval screen instantly and with one swipe  it's approved

MarkFromCornwall

Aidanmc said:

Progressive BS,

Today is Thursday 5th June and it's currently displaying this:

Progressive Building Society’s online service is currently unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. If you need to contact us during this time, please call our online support team on 0800 0294 997, lines open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.

I think that's stretching the use of the word 'scheduled'.

Stargunner

[Quoted post removed by Forum Team]

Same for me. 2nd issue 3 now open.

I mistakenly made a 7th payment of £200 to my issue 2 on the 1st June. I expected the money to be returned to me, but it was credited to the account which gave me a total of £1400.

£200 is now sitting in my issue 3 and £1228 is being paid to my nominated bank acc.

MisterMotivated

Stargunner said:

[Quoted post removed by Forum Team]

Same for me. 2nd issue 3 now open.

I mistakenly made a 7th payment of £200 to my issue 2 on the 1st June. I expected the money to be returned to me, but it was credited to the account which gave me a total of £1400.

£200 is now sitting in my issue 3 and £1228 is being paid to my nominated bank acc.

Hopefully when some of their interest rates drop on 19th, they'll release a 6 Month Regular Saver Issue 4

flaneurs_lobster

35har1old said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

Bobblehat said:

AmityNeon said:

Whilst Progressive BS have handled their system upgrade atrociously, they are more 'progressive' in terms of moving away from SMS OTPs. Passkeys and hardware security keys may still be too niche for widespread adoption, but authenticator apps—which exist as desktop apps too, e.g. Ente Auth, OneAuth, KeePassXC (guide)—aren't something to actively resist if you prefer web banking.

I don't actively resist anything techy that my eyes can read! So, would Progressive BS allow me to use PC versions of the Apps you mention above to logon? Or is it something either I and/or Progressive would have to enable asap?

I've used authenticator apps on a smartphone for years but never one running on a PC, so thought I'd try one of these out and try and swap my ProgBS account from Google Authenticator to EnteAuth.

EnteAuth download and setup on a laptop is straightforward, trying to change authenticator app in my Progressive profile (there's a button for this) produces spinning dots which have been spinning for 20 minutes, so I'm assuming that's broken.

In theory it should display a code either as a QR code (usually for reading with a smartphone authenticator app) or the same code as a long text string which I could cut'n'paste into EnteAuth.

Well I tried.

Might work for someone who is setting up an authenticator from scratch but I can well understand that anyone who has cash in ProgBS and a working login method may not want to muck with their setup at the moment.

And, of course, in order to try to change your authentication method you need to be able to logintntn....

. My authenticator app with progressive only requires me to open the phone it brings up the approval screen instantly and with one swipe  it's approved

Very good. I was trying to use an authenticator installed on a laptop rather than a smartphone.

Which app do you have?