The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

cricidmuslibale

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

flaneurs_lobster

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

....which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

...especially here

Bridlington1

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

allegro120

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Building societies use various restriction methods to control their cash flow, but this one looks like a policy to increase the number of branch visitors. 
Few months ago I visited the new branch of my local BS.  I've asked the lady who was closing my account - why did you move, literally round he corner.  She said - the old branch was too large for us, but the main reason was to be in the spot where more people are likely to visit.  It could be an emerging trend to make branches look busy???

Kim_13

allegro120 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Building societies use various restriction methods to control their cash flow, but this one looks like a policy to increase the number of branch visitors. 
Few months ago I visited the new branch of my local BS.  I've asked the lady who was closing my account - why did you move, literally round he corner.  She said - the old branch was too large for us, but the main reason was to be in the spot where more people are likely to visit.  It could be an emerging trend to make branches look busy???

I suspect it was the lower business rates on the new premises. Better a smaller, open branch than a larger, closed one.

cricidmuslibale

Bridlington1 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

Thank you @Bridlington1 for your very kind thoughts on my return to actively contributing to the MSE Forum again in general, and in particular the Savings and Investments section, which, with no disrespect whatsoever to any other part of the Forum, is my absolute favourite area so far, and the one which has helped me the most in learning how to manage my rather modest finances over several years now!

Whilst I fully agree with all that you’ve said in your 2nd paragraph above, may I suggest that what you’ve said there is even more pertinent to the Manchester BS version of this regular saver because there is literally only one branch of Manchester Building Society that is open and available at the moment, and that branch is right in the centre of Manchester itself and thus not easily accessible to anyone who lives outside the city centre with e.g. limited mobility or severe time constraints!

I’m genuinely sorry that the term festive has to some folk so clearly become associated with the negative aspects so vividly described by you in your 3rd and final paragraph above! This term can, at least in my experience, also have much more positive and uplifting connotations when it refers to open heartedness, unadulterated joy, generosity of spirit and having fun with, and not at the expense of, other people!

Dizzycap

Bridlington1 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

I couldn't have expressed that statement better myself     

flaneurs_lobster

Dizzycap said:

Bridlington1 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

I couldn't have expressed that statement better myself     

 Seconded.

trickydicky14

flaneurs_lobster said:

Dizzycap said:

Bridlington1 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

I couldn't have expressed that statement better myself     

 Seconded.

Thirded....

Bridlington1

trickydicky14 said:

flaneurs_lobster said:

Dizzycap said:

Bridlington1 said:

cricidmuslibale said:

Newcastle BS Festive Regular Saver & Manchester BS Festive Regular Saver

To me at least, it is not really in keeping with the term festive and the spirit of openness and generosity that normally goes along with it to release a new seasonal regular savings account and then restrict it to branch opening only, especially when there’s literally only one branch that currently exists as is the case with the Manchester BS version of this account. I’m more than a little surprised that these two regular savers were not at least made available to ‘locals’ with suitable postcodes within a certain radius from Newcastle and Manchester respectively, which to me is an obvious and fair expression of appropriate festive generosity without allowing an overwhelming deluge of interest from here, there and everywhere!

Firstly it's been rather a while since I've seen you round these parts @cricidmuslibale, so it's nice to have you back.

I think it might've been rather more generous if they'd not restricted it to branch opening and instead opened up the Newcastle one at least to online applications for locals and existing members of however long, but it is what it is.

As an aside I think we have very different ideas of the term festive and what usually accompanies it though. In my experience the term festive is often accompanied by selfishness, greed, waste and more often than not bringing out the worst in people, mixed in with a shear intolerance of anyone who would rather not have to contend with it all.

I couldn't have expressed that statement better myself     

 Seconded.

Thirded....

But to bring us back to the scope of this thread, the one silver lining is that we often get decent Christmas regular savers out of it all, some of which make up my own collection of accounts.

Admittedly these are accounts that might well've been launched anyway but with a different name had it not been for Christmas but at least it's something I suppose.