The Top Regular Savers Discussion Thread

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046697#Comment_82046697

Blocked payments

I've had it with First Direct, Lloyds, Al Rayan. TSB and few more (can't remember all, it was a while ago). The only reasonable one was Al Rayan, they just asked me to confirm, the call took about 3 minutes. Other calls took between 30 minutes and 1 hour. The most ridiculous question I can remember was "After this transaction you will have no money left in your account, how are going to support yourself?". Another one didn't believe that Chase is the real bank - "when and where did you hear about Chase, are you sure this is not a scam?". I urged them to have a closer look at my transactions, so they can see a string of transactions to my Chase CA. All I was doing was trying to set up payee directly to my Chase Saver. Tells that some of these "fraud investigators" don't know much about the industry they are working for.

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046738#Comment_82046738

Both. First payment will be on New Year's eve and the second when it is matured.

chris_the_bee

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046897#Comment_82046897

I think that after their frontal lobotomies, the fraud team purely follow their script with no added humour.

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046759#Comment_82046759

I used to have Santander EA as my main RS distribution hub when they paid the top rate. Never had any stoppages from them.

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046761#Comment_82046761

You're not the only one. It took me a while to spot eligibility date and then I remembered seeing 1117 before, which I'm not eligible for. I even started inserting some details in my spreadsheet as I was reading the content😀

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046771#Comment_82046771

Last time I've asked Dudley for three application forms and envelopes, so I still have two spare ready to be posted. I didn't know you can e-mail it. When I opened 1225 in April e-mail option wasn't there, at least what I was told by CS rep.

Andystriker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046697#Comment_82046697

I was happy to co-operate with Nat West. I have been a customer of theirs with my current account for over 35 years (same account), and I fund about 20 regular savers per month. Over the last 10 years I can count on one hand how many times their fraud department have rang me, and I was happy to comply with their questions.

However this month (June 2026) I have had so far 4 phone calls from them. The first 3 calls were for 3 payments I made over 3 consecutive days from 5th June. I opened a fixed bond with Hodge and sent £8,000 then £9,000 then £7,000 all to the same account number and sort code. The fact that they had released the payment(s) did not stop them ringing again twice, and asking the same questions. It took in total over 90 minutes of my life away. As I am not putting any more money into this bond, I thought that was it.

But yesterday I sent my Bucks £250. The phone call came 3pm. I was then kept on hold for 16 minutes. Then a lady came on and asked me to hold again, and I was kept waiting for another 10 minutes. When she came back I asked where she had been, and she said she was getting my account details.

Then I had the usual conversation for another 10 minutes and eventually, she said she was releasing the money. Now I appreciate they are looking after my money, but I am getting a bit frustrated about this.

Anyone think a complaint would do any good??

janusd

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046942#Comment_82046942

I sent them a secure message to ask whether emailing the application form was an option, their CS said that it was fine - this must have been towards the end of April as i've made 3 full deposits so far.

also, make a note to chase them if the passbook doesn't arrive within a month.

Kim_13

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046958#Comment_82046958

Well they ought to have the details of anything they wish to query at hand, since they are the ones in control of when the call takes place. They are presumably often phoning mobile numbers during working hours. The customer might get away with it if it is a to the point urgent call (which the bank obviously think it is) but they clearly cannot be spending longer on hold than the questions need to take on work time.

allegro120

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82046892#Comment_82046892

This prompted me to take a look at the list of UK banks that offer current accounts. The only ones I don't have current accounts with are Monzo, Starling and Metro. Monzo and Starling because the've never offered any competitive rates. I used to have EA with Metro, but was kicked out and permanently banned (they didn't provide with any specific reason)⛔️ All my current accounts were opened for good reasons. Switch offers, gateways to RSs, CA itself paying the top interest rate, bribe from TCB etc. The only one that didn't offer any incentives was First Direct (that was before they've launched their first 8% RS). I joined FD for convenience, they offered telephone banking which was exactly what I needed at that time.