The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

Bobblehat

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?

Bigwheels1111

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?

Two days ago I got a not so nice surprise from progressive, re WhatsApp message instead of a text.
Took me a few minutes to realise it was a WhatsApp, I don’t have WiFi or data turned on, but WhatsApp is on my pc.
No message arrived on my pc, turned on WiFi and message was delivered to my phone.

Bobblehat

Bigwheels1111 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?

Two days ago I got a not so nice surprise from progressive, re WhatsApp message instead of a text.
Took me a few minutes to realise it was a WhatsApp, I don’t have WiFi or data turned on, but WhatsApp is on my pc.
No message arrived on my pc, turned on WiFi and message was delivered to my phone.

Sorry if I'm being dim, but it seems that your situation is that you have a smart-phone, whereas I don't. So little help for me in this case unless I'm totally mis-reading your post? Please explain if I've got it wrong.

where_are_we

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.

Kim_13

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.

Bigwheels1111

Bobblehat said:

Bigwheels1111 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?

Two days ago I got a not so nice surprise from progressive, re WhatsApp message instead of a text.
Took me a few minutes to realise it was a WhatsApp, I don’t have WiFi or data turned on, but WhatsApp is on my pc.
No message arrived on my pc, turned on WiFi and message was delivered to my phone.

Sorry if I'm being dim, but it seems that your situation is that you have a smart-phone, whereas I don't. So little help for me in this case unless I'm totally mis-reading your post? Please explain if I've got it wrong.

I have 4/5 smart phones, I never get rid of them. But when I ordered my new Poco F6 Pro last year an 8 year old phone got me £62 discount.

Without my glasses I can't always read the code sent, so I take a screen shot on the phone and then blow up the picture.

I taught this to my 78 year old Mum, who is just joining the 20th century, I got her a cheap phone

https://www.mi.com/uk/product/redmi-14-c/?skupanel=1

Plus a sim card. 35g data and unlimited text and calls for £1.10 a month for 9 months

https://www.lebara.co.uk/en/msm/p/44000017?utm_source=impactradius&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=121977&utm_content=BANNER&utm_iradid=1836186&utm_clickref=&default=page&loyalty=&irgwc=1&utm_clickid=w5k0luw3UxycU-EQyh2LbShYUksQDz3Rmx5Hwg0

£89 in total for new phone and sim.

I think you may need to get one, a modern phone that is, as Banks, building society's, Payments etc are all heading this way.

She now has an ipad & loves to see here bank balances etc.

One day she might make a payment.

Who knows.

AmityNeon

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.

flaneurs_lobster

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 login....

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!