The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

Bridlington1

nomorekids said:

Bridlington1 said:

For the RS nerds among you, I thought I'd mention this:

It appears there's been something of a ``RS drought" of late. The eagle-eyed among you might've noticed that that there hasn't been a single RS launched that is eligible to enter p1 of my thread since 14th November.

If I am not mistaken the previous longest gap between eligible RSs being launched was in May, when there were no eligible RSs launched between 15th and 29th May inclusive.

If another RS isn't launched by the end of the month then that'll be the longest I've gone without adding a new RS to the list since I took over the thread, this could well happen given 1st December is Monday and it's rare RSs are launched over the weekend.

Moreover if you look at the accounts that have been added to p1 of the thread in most recent to oldest:
14/11/25- Newcastle & Manchester Festive RSs are branch opening only so most shan't've been able to open them.
11/11/25- The two Skipton RSs exclude those who hold RSs already unless they close their RSs first so I can imagine most shan't've opened them.
10/11/25- Mkt Harborough is branch opening only so again few shall've opened it.

You have to go back to 3rd November before you find a RS being launched that everyone was immediately eligible for and that could be opened online, but even that was only at 5% and its appeal may be limited given that it doesn't allow early withdrawals/closure.

Counting blessings, we were totally spoilt over the summer though weren't we? Those fabulous Monmouthshires that I have quite a few months had raided flexi isa to pay with the £1500 at 7% and another £500 at 6%. Oh those were the days....... and quite a few of us have flown under the Principality radar as well. 
Recently revisited Suffolk "thanks to ever lowering of my minimum worth it to open another regular saver each "with their quirky allowing us to open both online and branch and lovely helpful branch staff.
We've not done badly but I do admit to wondering if I can persuade DH for a road trip via Market Harborough, West Bromwich, Newcastle and Manchester in the new year ........
Can't think why I'm constantly told I'm obsessed 

I too have the ``Monmouthshire hat trick". I shan't comment on my accounts with Principality other than to say I have more money in their RSs than I have with any other bank/building society's RSs, though historically they've been high up for much of the last few years as for quite a while their First Home Steps Online Issue 2 (then with its tiered interest rate) remained low down on my list of RSs but just high enough for me to fully fund.

If you think you're bad, I'm seriously considering having a holiday in Northern Ireland at some point over the next few years, it's no coincidence that this could also allow me to get hold of AIB's RSs.

Section62

nomorekids said:

Recently revisited Suffolk "thanks to ever lowering of my minimum worth it to open another regular saver each "with their quirky allowing us to open both online and branch and lovely helpful branch staff. 

Personally I'd want to insert a "sometimes" into the BiB.

Recently I found myself with unexpected funds in an Everyday saver, which I thought would do as the opening deposit for the latest branch RS.  Vaguely aware you can't do a transfer from a Suffolk account into a Suffolk RS account I asked anyway.  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  "Ok" I said, "in that case can I please withdraw £500 cash from my Everyday saver and fund my new RS with £500 cash".  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  

Not the first time I've encountered an unhelpful exception to the BiB.  Suffolk are not the most customer/member friendly building society.

Kim_13

Bridlington1 said:

clairec666 said:

Bridlington1 said:

For the RS nerds among you, I thought I'd mention this:

It appears there's been something of a ``RS drought" of late. The eagle-eyed among you might've noticed that that there hasn't been a single RS launched that is eligible to enter p1 of my thread since 14th November.

If I am not mistaken the previous longest gap between eligible RSs being launched was in May, when there were no eligible RSs launched between 15th and 29th May inclusive.

If another RS isn't launched by the end of the month then that'll be the longest I've gone without adding a new RS to the list since I took over the thread, this could well happen given 1st December is Monday and it's rare RSs are launched over the weekend.

Moreover if you look at the accounts that have been added to p1 of the thread in most recent to oldest:
14/11/25- Newcastle & Manchester Festive RSs are branch opening only so most shan't've been able to open them.
11/11/25- The two Skipton RSs exclude those who hold RSs already unless they close their RSs first so I can imagine most shan't've opened them.
10/11/25- Mkt Harborough is branch opening only so again few shall've opened it.

You have to go back to 3rd November before you find a RS being launched that everyone was immediately eligible for and that could be opened online, but even that was only at 5% and its appeal may be limited given that it doesn't allow early withdrawals/closure.

Yes, I was thinking it had been quiet. Which is quite useful for me actually, because I don't really have the capacity for any extra accounts right now. Hopefully there'll be some good accounts that pop up in January, as my TSB 6% is maturing and their current offer is only 5%.

From a mathematical/statistical viewpoint, there will always be natural peaks and troughs in activity throughout the year, but it might also be influenced by the upcoming base rate review.

I must confess I'm running short of spare funds. I currently have a lot of capacity at 6% (driven largely by having Loughborough's 1YSS at 6% gobbling up £2k/mth) which is drawing a lot of funds out of my lower RSs to the point where I am now nibbling into the NatWest/RBS DRSs.

December's RSs are proving to be a difficult balancing act in my case. I've just about managed to fund my accounts north of 5.5% this month but with next month's maturities I have are only enough to cover those north of 6% and about half of those at 6%. Then there's the complication that the BOE base rate could fall again next month, if it does then I'll be needing to speculate which accounts shall fall and by how much, possibly choosing to fund marginally lower RSs speculatively (as I sometimes did when interest rates were on the rise a few years back).

It's a nice problem to have though.

It is indeed. I haven't funded Melton 6% for a while now, as with circa £2,425 in it isn't a bad amount to have maturing on 30th September (and it will definitely be funded again in August and probably early September as well when Monmouthshire matures and I have more money than I know what to do with.) For that reason I am choosing to fund NatWest DRS ahead of it next month, the 0.5% less interest now saving a potential headache later as it doesn't mature whereas the end of next year will also be busy (Progressive shortly after Melton, then Principality, HEBS and Scottish all at around the same time 3 weeks later.)

As it stands Melton Issue 5 will be getting a fair bit of funding next year 🤣

Kim_13

Section62 said:

nomorekids said:

Recently revisited Suffolk "thanks to ever lowering of my minimum worth it to open another regular saver each "with their quirky allowing us to open both online and branch and lovely helpful branch staff. 

Personally I'd want to insert a "sometimes" into the BiB.

Recently I found myself with unexpected funds in an Everyday saver, which I thought would do as the opening deposit for the latest branch RS.  Vaguely aware you can't do a transfer from a Suffolk account into a Suffolk RS account I asked anyway.  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  "Ok" I said, "in that case can I please withdraw £500 cash from my Everyday saver and fund my new RS with £500 cash".  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  

Not the first time I've encountered an unhelpful exception to the BiB.  Suffolk are not the most customer/member friendly building society.

Notice required for £500 cash? I can't see any other reason for them to say no.

I have a speculatively opened ISA with them but am yet to start on their RS, and am unlikely to be near any of their branches. 

Section62

Kim_13 said:

Section62 said:

nomorekids said:

Recently revisited Suffolk "thanks to ever lowering of my minimum worth it to open another regular saver each "with their quirky allowing us to open both online and branch and lovely helpful branch staff. 

Personally I'd want to insert a "sometimes" into the BiB.

Recently I found myself with unexpected funds in an Everyday saver, which I thought would do as the opening deposit for the latest branch RS.  Vaguely aware you can't do a transfer from a Suffolk account into a Suffolk RS account I asked anyway.  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  "Ok" I said, "in that case can I please withdraw £500 cash from my Everyday saver and fund my new RS with £500 cash".  "You can't do that" was the short reply.  

Not the first time I've encountered an unhelpful exception to the BiB.  Suffolk are not the most customer/member friendly building society.

Notice required for £500 cash? I can't see any other reason for them to say no.

I have a speculatively opened ISA with them but am yet to start on their RS, and am unlikely to be near any of their branches. 

Cash withdrawals of up to £1000 per member per day are allowed without notice, for this account.

The reason seemed to be just applying rules for the sake of rules.  Like allowing online debit card deposits for 'online' accounts but not allowing online/phone DC deposits into branch accounts (although allowing them in-branch).  They've also introduced an AI-based process for in-branch applications, which is glacially slow.  If you are an existing customer you ask nicely, they will open your account using the previous non-AI process which goes straight through.

To be fair though, some of the branch staff are lovely and helpful.  Just that it seems to be down to the individual staff members, rather than a corporate expectation/standard of how to interact with members.

surreysaver

shirley999 said:

happybagger said:

shirley999 said:

Bridlington1 said:

With regards to the Manchester BS Regular Saver Issue 1 at 5.5%, I just thought I'd mention my experience below in case anyone's interested in refreshing their account:

I requested this account be closed yesterday at around 8pm, the account was closed this morning and the funds arrived in my nominated account at some point today, I don't know precisely when they arrived as I was at work.

I have now been able to open a new account at around 5:30pm today, the account now shows in online banking, therefore it would seem their systems behave near identically to Newcastle BS with respect to refreshing accounts.

A warning did pop up when closing the account saying that if it is my only account, online banking would be disabled, so if refreshing the account I would be inclined to ensure you have another account with them before closing your account (in my case I've retained a rainy day saver with £1) to save having to set up online banking again.

I'm going into branch to open the festive saver, weather permitting, at which the gentleman advised me I would get a free colourful umbrella if I open their rainy day saver.

I'm heading there next week. did you make an appointment? not sure if be able to as I've got to work around other stuff. Debated opening the RDS too, to collect the maturity funds.

MANCHESTER FESTIVE SAVER

I tried to make an appointment but they rang me to say it wasn't necessary and I was seen as soon as I arrived.  I paid just £1 into the rainy day saver for which I received the umbrella, which came in useful straight away.  I think the maturity funds go to your nominated account, worth checking though.  When you go, take along photo ID and proof of residence; a bill dated in the last 3 months.

MANCHESTER FESTIVE SAVER

I intent to pop up to open mine this coming week.  I already have the other Regular Saver with them - I hope I won't need a recent bill, all I'll have is online bank statements and my Driving Licence?

I was hoping I'll get away with not having an appointment, as I could not guarantee to be there at a particular time or day!

kermchem

surreysaver said:

shirley999 said:

happybagger said:

shirley999 said:

Bridlington1 said:

With regards to the Manchester BS Regular Saver Issue 1 at 5.5%, I just thought I'd mention my experience below in case anyone's interested in refreshing their account:

I requested this account be closed yesterday at around 8pm, the account was closed this morning and the funds arrived in my nominated account at some point today, I don't know precisely when they arrived as I was at work.

I have now been able to open a new account at around 5:30pm today, the account now shows in online banking, therefore it would seem their systems behave near identically to Newcastle BS with respect to refreshing accounts.

A warning did pop up when closing the account saying that if it is my only account, online banking would be disabled, so if refreshing the account I would be inclined to ensure you have another account with them before closing your account (in my case I've retained a rainy day saver with £1) to save having to set up online banking again.

I'm going into branch to open the festive saver, weather permitting, at which the gentleman advised me I would get a free colourful umbrella if I open their rainy day saver.

I'm heading there next week. did you make an appointment? not sure if be able to as I've got to work around other stuff. Debated opening the RDS too, to collect the maturity funds.

MANCHESTER FESTIVE SAVER

I tried to make an appointment but they rang me to say it wasn't necessary and I was seen as soon as I arrived.  I paid just £1 into the rainy day saver for which I received the umbrella, which came in useful straight away.  I think the maturity funds go to your nominated account, worth checking though.  When you go, take along photo ID and proof of residence; a bill dated in the last 3 months.

MANCHESTER FESTIVE SAVER

I intent to pop up to open mine this coming week.  I already have the other Regular Saver with them - I hope I won't need a recent bill, all I'll have is online bank statements and my Driving Licence?

I was hoping I'll get away with not having an appointment, as I could not guarantee to be there at a particular time or day!

My experience of opening the Newcastle BS version of the Festive Saver, given that I already held a Monument RS account with them, was that I used name and e-mail address to make appointment, and then with DoB and postcode in branch I met their identity checks. I suspect that Manchester BS will not need ID if you can match with the records they already have for you.

PowerSavingMode

Bridlington1 said:

clairec666 said:

Bridlington1 said:

For the RS nerds among you, I thought I'd mention this:

It appears there's been something of a ``RS drought" of late. The eagle-eyed among you might've noticed that that there hasn't been a single RS launched that is eligible to enter p1 of my thread since 14th November.

If I am not mistaken the previous longest gap between eligible RSs being launched was in May, when there were no eligible RSs launched between 15th and 29th May inclusive.

If another RS isn't launched by the end of the month then that'll be the longest I've gone without adding a new RS to the list since I took over the thread, this could well happen given 1st December is Monday and it's rare RSs are launched over the weekend.

Moreover if you look at the accounts that have been added to p1 of the thread in most recent to oldest:
14/11/25- Newcastle & Manchester Festive RSs are branch opening only so most shan't've been able to open them.
11/11/25- The two Skipton RSs exclude those who hold RSs already unless they close their RSs first so I can imagine most shan't've opened them.
10/11/25- Mkt Harborough is branch opening only so again few shall've opened it.

You have to go back to 3rd November before you find a RS being launched that everyone was immediately eligible for and that could be opened online, but even that was only at 5% and its appeal may be limited given that it doesn't allow early withdrawals/closure.

Yes, I was thinking it had been quiet. Which is quite useful for me actually, because I don't really have the capacity for any extra accounts right now. Hopefully there'll be some good accounts that pop up in January, as my TSB 6% is maturing and their current offer is only 5%.

From a mathematical/statistical viewpoint, there will always be natural peaks and troughs in activity throughout the year, but it might also be influenced by the upcoming base rate review.

I must confess I'm running short of spare funds. I currently have a lot of capacity at 6% (driven largely by having Loughborough's 1YSS at 6% gobbling up £2k/mth) which is drawing a lot of funds out of my lower RSs to the point where I am now nibbling into the NatWest/RBS DRSs.

December's RSs are proving to be a difficult balancing act in my case. I've just about managed to fund my accounts north of 5.5% this month but with next month's maturities I have are only enough to cover those north of 6% and about half of those at 6%. Then there's the complication that the BOE base rate could fall again next month, if it does then I'll be needing to speculate which accounts shall fall and by how much, possibly choosing to fund marginally lower RSs speculatively (as I sometimes did when interest rates were on the rise a few years back).

It's a nice problem to have though.

Yes, indeed. 

Might I ask if anyone is bothering to fund cash ISAs — whether to fund regular savers or not?

At present, I am mostly using a flexible CASH ISA to fund my regular savers. As a F/T (unpaid) carer now, I only have income from regular savers and as much tax-free income from my small private pension as I can afford, plus occasional income withdrawn from a considerably smaller S&S ISA.

As the equivalent (accessible) savings product with a savings rate to beat the CASH ISA I have is 4.975%, I am wondering whether it is worth bothering transfer out to another flexible ISA with a higher rate (one that offer the equivalent of a 5.525% non-ISA saver -- for now!) as my bonus rate ends mid-Feb 2026. But I think I am overthinking and confusing myself...

Perhaps it makes more sense to just fund save RS accounts at 5% and above, as I often dip down to £0 in the CASH ISA funding RS accounts at the beginning of each month and then replacing said funds as others mature.

Pickledonionlover

PowerSavingMode said:

Bridlington1 said:

clairec666 said:

Bridlington1 said:

For the RS nerds among you, I thought I'd mention this:

It appears there's been something of a ``RS drought" of late. The eagle-eyed among you might've noticed that that there hasn't been a single RS launched that is eligible to enter p1 of my thread since 14th November.

If I am not mistaken the previous longest gap between eligible RSs being launched was in May, when there were no eligible RSs launched between 15th and 29th May inclusive.

If another RS isn't launched by the end of the month then that'll be the longest I've gone without adding a new RS to the list since I took over the thread, this could well happen given 1st December is Monday and it's rare RSs are launched over the weekend.

Moreover if you look at the accounts that have been added to p1 of the thread in most recent to oldest:
14/11/25- Newcastle & Manchester Festive RSs are branch opening only so most shan't've been able to open them.
11/11/25- The two Skipton RSs exclude those who hold RSs already unless they close their RSs first so I can imagine most shan't've opened them.
10/11/25- Mkt Harborough is branch opening only so again few shall've opened it.

You have to go back to 3rd November before you find a RS being launched that everyone was immediately eligible for and that could be opened online, but even that was only at 5% and its appeal may be limited given that it doesn't allow early withdrawals/closure.

Yes, I was thinking it had been quiet. Which is quite useful for me actually, because I don't really have the capacity for any extra accounts right now. Hopefully there'll be some good accounts that pop up in January, as my TSB 6% is maturing and their current offer is only 5%.

From a mathematical/statistical viewpoint, there will always be natural peaks and troughs in activity throughout the year, but it might also be influenced by the upcoming base rate review.

I must confess I'm running short of spare funds. I currently have a lot of capacity at 6% (driven largely by having Loughborough's 1YSS at 6% gobbling up £2k/mth) which is drawing a lot of funds out of my lower RSs to the point where I am now nibbling into the NatWest/RBS DRSs.

December's RSs are proving to be a difficult balancing act in my case. I've just about managed to fund my accounts north of 5.5% this month but with next month's maturities I have are only enough to cover those north of 6% and about half of those at 6%. Then there's the complication that the BOE base rate could fall again next month, if it does then I'll be needing to speculate which accounts shall fall and by how much, possibly choosing to fund marginally lower RSs speculatively (as I sometimes did when interest rates were on the rise a few years back).

It's a nice problem to have though.

Yes, indeed. 

Might I ask if anyone is bothering to fund cash ISAs — whether to fund regular savers or not?

At present, I am mostly using a flexible CASH ISA to fund my regular savers. As a F/T (unpaid) carer now, I only have income from regular savers and as much tax-free income from my small private pension as I can afford, plus occasional income withdrawn from a considerably smaller S&S ISA.

As the equivalent (accessible) savings product with a savings rate to beat the CASH ISA I have is 4.975%, I am wondering whether it is worth bothering transfer out to another flexible ISA with a higher rate (one that offer the equivalent of a 5.525% non-ISA saver -- for now!) as my bonus rate ends mid-Feb 2026. But I think I am overthinking and confusing myself...

Perhaps it makes more sense to just fund save RS accounts at 5% and above, as I often dip down to £0 in the CASH ISA funding RS accounts at the beginning of each month and then replacing said funds as others mature.

Exactly what I do.

I pay circa £13k each month from a Virgin flexible ISA at 4.11% (equivalent to 5.13%) to a third party C/A to cover the RS.

So my threshold for new (and current ) RS is this 5.13%.

On Monday I'll have £50 left in the ISA but that'll get bumped up to circa £12k with maturities this next month.

👍 

Kim_13

I have about £10k in Cash ISAs, but so far haven’t used it to fund Regular Savers as I would sooner not be forced to start raiding Regular Savers in an emergency. I will likely start making more use of ISAs once NatWest DRS and Melton Issue 5 are full, as I think I’ll have enough circling around other Regular Savers by then. 

With rates as they are I’m starting to think I’ll be withdrawing on maturity and then redepositing into the Suffolk fixed ISA I opened in the Spring. NLA so it means using this year’s allowance as transfers are no longer accepted, but I don’t think I’ll be needing it for anything else.

Hopefully with certainty over what will be happening to Cash ISAs, we’ll now see Regular Saver ISAs making a return in April.