Ulster Bank easy access Saver - 4.5% interest, but is it lost forever if you go under £5k?

janusd

i've never had any trouble withdrawing from Ulster directly to an external current account for the last few years.

though as I opened the Limited Edition Saver very soon after launch, they (multiple real agents on the live chat) were insistent that the account needed a current account to be opened before applying for the savings account... long story short, I did open the current account, then the savings account, then found new customers could open the savings account without current account, made a formal complaint to Ulster (not something I would normally do) and 2 months later got £100 compensation paid into the current account.

HeadScratching

Final update on my little saga with Ulster...
After 5 days (inc 3 working days) I was able to register biometrics and upped my withdrawal limit to the max of £20k. My husband, who had mirrored every transaction/phone call etc immediately following mine, was able to register his biometrics after 7 days (inc 5 working days)    We have now successfully withdrawn the funds needed.... and I've got over my panicked hissy fit and left the requisite £5k in both accounts to retain the 4.5% interest rate - unless and until of course the rate reduces...
Thank you one and all for your suggestions etc, it was supportive to know I wasn't the only one having issues with Ulster but also that all would probably eventually be well 

wmb194

HeadScratching said:

Final update on my little saga with Ulster...
After 5 days (inc 3 working days) I was able to register biometrics and upped my withdrawal limit to the max of £20k. My husband, who had mirrored every transaction/phone call etc immediately following mine, was able to register his biometrics after 7 days (inc 5 working days)    We have now successfully withdrawn the funds needed.... and I've got over my panicked hissy fit and left the requisite £5k in both accounts to retain the 4.5% interest rate - unless and until of course the rate reduces...
Thank you one and all for your suggestions etc, it was supportive to know I wasn't the only one having issues with Ulster but also that all would probably eventually be well 

It's dropping to 4.25% on 06/03/26.

https://www.ulsterbank.co.uk/savings/manage-your-savings/savings-interest-rates-changes.html

HeadScratching

wmb194 said:

HeadScratching said:

Final update on my little saga with Ulster...
After 5 days (inc 3 working days) I was able to register biometrics and upped my withdrawal limit to the max of £20k. My husband, who had mirrored every transaction/phone call etc immediately following mine, was able to register his biometrics after 7 days (inc 5 working days)    We have now successfully withdrawn the funds needed.... and I've got over my panicked hissy fit and left the requisite £5k in both accounts to retain the 4.5% interest rate - unless and until of course the rate reduces...
Thank you one and all for your suggestions etc, it was supportive to know I wasn't the only one having issues with Ulster but also that all would probably eventually be well 

It's dropping to 4.25% on 06/03/26.

https://www.ulsterbank.co.uk/savings/manage-your-savings/savings-interest-rates-changes.html

wmb194 thank you for the heads-up, will evaluate and compare in March.