The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

Hattie627

Kim_13 said:

jameseonline said:

Are Darlington better than Monmouthshire BS?🤔

Having just opened it as a new customer, I would say it was as simple as MHBS (perhaps even simpler as it did not ask for nominated account details during application, or ask for answers to pre-determined security questions while allowing very few characters.)

If you want regular withdrawals, Monmouthshire would be better as the Darlington account is limited to 2. Debit card funding, ease of opening and being more likely to hold the rate as it has (I think) launched since the base rate cut with no more expected in the immediate future, Darlington.

Screenshot the confirmation screen, though - the account details were there but haven’t been emailed to me. I’m certain I entered it correctly due to copying and pasting it from an email in my email box.

I've just gone through the Darlington opening process as a new customer. No email received but it did say during the opening process that account opening welcome pack would arrive by email within 5 working days. I managed to sign up for online access (really easy) so I have been able to check my new account number there. COP not recognising the new account so far, probably tomorrow or Monday, 

schiff

I can't see anything in the T&Cs of the new Darlington that indicates that the maximum balance can't be £3250?

Hattie627

Darlington BS 12 month Regular Saver Issue 2

A wee quirk to note is that the account doesn't mature on the anniversary date but on the last day of the month during which the anniversary date falls. So all accounts opened in August 2025 will mature on 31 August 2026. So it's one of those mass maturity dates which sometimes give rise to issues at maturity. Don't know if the same applies to Issue 1 as I don't have that one.

Kim_13

Hattie627 said:

Kim_13 said:

jameseonline said:

Are Darlington better than Monmouthshire BS?🤔

Having just opened it as a new customer, I would say it was as simple as MHBS (perhaps even simpler as it did not ask for nominated account details during application, or ask for answers to pre-determined security questions while allowing very few characters.)

If you want regular withdrawals, Monmouthshire would be better as the Darlington account is limited to 2. Debit card funding, ease of opening and being more likely to hold the rate as it has (I think) launched since the base rate cut with no more expected in the immediate future, Darlington.

Screenshot the confirmation screen, though - the account details were there but haven’t been emailed to me. I’m certain I entered it correctly due to copying and pasting it from an email in my email box.

I've just gone through the Darlington opening process as a new customer. No email received but it did say during the opening process that account opening welcome pack would arrive by email within 5 working days. I managed to sign up for online access (really easy) so I have been able to check my new account number there. COP not recognising the new account so far, probably tomorrow or Monday, 

I took the screenshot myself so could have deposited by FP if I’d wanted to, but opted for Debit Card having signed up for online access as you say. The account number is in there so I suspect the rest of the details needed would be obtainable from Darlington’s website. I will top up by FP when my Skipton RS matures next week, by which time COP should work.

You have to click to create login details from the confirmation page, so the only other advice I’d give others opening is to be careful not to close the page too early.

I missed the 5 days, but it is indeed detailed on the screenshot I took.

clairec666

Hattie627 said:

Darlington BS 12 month Regular Saver Issue 2

A wee quirk to note is that the account doesn't mature on the anniversary date but on the last day of the month during which the anniversary date falls. So all accounts opened in August 2025 will mature on 31 August 2026. So it's one of those mass maturity dates which sometimes give rise to issues at maturity. Don't know if the same applies to Issue 1 as I don't have that one.

My crystal ball foresees the topic of discussion on this thread on 31/8/2026... rather similar to the last few days, but substitute "Darlington" for "Virgin" 

Looks like a good account to have, given that it was released after the base rate cut so (fingers crossed) should stay at 6% for a while. What are people's experiences with Darlington? Do they offer good member/loyalty accounts? I don't really have the funds for another regular saver this month, but am tempted to shuffle some money around to open this one.

schiff

schiff said:

I can't see anything in the T&Cs of the new Darlington that indicates that the maximum balance can't be £3250?

Update - the introductory page for the earlier version did say 'up to a maximum of £3000'. The equivalent page for the new one doesn't. That will be a SO query now but if not a July 2026 question.  

Kim_13

clairec666 said:

Hattie627 said:

Darlington BS 12 month Regular Saver Issue 2

A wee quirk to note is that the account doesn't mature on the anniversary date but on the last day of the month during which the anniversary date falls. So all accounts opened in August 2025 will mature on 31 August 2026. So it's one of those mass maturity dates which sometimes give rise to issues at maturity. Don't know if the same applies to Issue 1 as I don't have that one.

My crystal ball foresees the topic of discussion on this thread on 31/8/2026... rather similar to the last few days, but substitute "Darlington" for "Virgin" 

Looks like a good account to have, given that it was released after the base rate cut so (fingers crossed) should stay at 6% for a while. What are people's experiences with Darlington? Do they offer good member/loyalty accounts? I don't really have the funds for another regular saver this month, but am tempted to shuffle some money around to open this one.

As it matures on 31/8/26 regardless of when in August it is opened, I did a £1.01 NatWest DC payment. I figure it’s unlikely to still be around on September 1 so I don’t lose anything by opening it with the minimum today.

Hattie627

schiff said:

schiff said:

I can't see anything in the T&Cs of the new Darlington that indicates that the maximum balance can't be £3250?

Update - the introductory page for the earlier version did say 'up to a maximum of £3000'. The equivalent page for the new one doesn't. That will be a SO query now but if not a July 2026 question.  

On the basis of the Issue 2 Darlington terms not mentioning a max account balance, I'm going to set my SO to run from 1 September 25 to 1 August 26 inclusive which will take it to £3250 after allowing for the initial payment in Aug 25. 

s71hj

Kim_13 said:

clairec666 said:

Hattie627 said:

Darlington BS 12 month Regular Saver Issue 2

A wee quirk to note is that the account doesn't mature on the anniversary date but on the last day of the month during which the anniversary date falls. So all accounts opened in August 2025 will mature on 31 August 2026. So it's one of those mass maturity dates which sometimes give rise to issues at maturity. Don't know if the same applies to Issue 1 as I don't have that one.

My crystal ball foresees the topic of discussion on this thread on 31/8/2026... rather similar to the last few days, but substitute "Darlington" for "Virgin" 

Looks like a good account to have, given that it was released after the base rate cut so (fingers crossed) should stay at 6% for a while. What are people's experiences with Darlington? Do they offer good member/loyalty accounts? I don't really have the funds for another regular saver this month, but am tempted to shuffle some money around to open this one.

As it matures on 31/8/26 regardless of when in August it is opened, I did a £1.01 NatWest DC payment. I figure it’s unlikely to still be around on September 1 so I don’t lose anything by opening it with the minimum today.

Once opened I believe I read you have 28 days to fund so if so inclined could fund 1st Sept and get interest for all of Sept 2026. I know some like this approach though must say I tend to just get the money in earning the money ASAP. 

Gers

Darlington RS - I got stuck at online registration - they system said that the details I entered don't match their records!  I'll phone them tomorrow morning. 

For @Kim - pay in details