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Harpenden Building Society: Savings reviews

Name: Savings
Rating: 4.63 (430 reviews)

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4.28

Based on 430 reviews, last reviewed 11th Feb 2026

100% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

83%

Latest highest rating:

5

Helpful staff made for a pleasant experience. The account I wanted, which had one of the best interest rates I could find, was easily set up when I called into Harpenden branch. Tabitha was most h... Read more Reviewed on: 11th February 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Surprise interest rate drop I opened an ISA this October, understanding it was an interest rate of 4.35%. Just checked today and it is 1.6%. Was not told about this, unlike othe... Read more Reviewed on: 17th December 2025

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About this product

Our Harpenden Building Society savings account reviews can help you to find out what life as a Harpenden Building Society customer is really like. And if you have experience of using this product, why not write your review on Smart Money People today?

Harpenden Building Society Savings reviews (430)

Review of the Harpenden Building Society, Savings:

A friendly helpful building society with a personal touch

Harpenden BS are always friendly and helpful and go the extra mile for their customers. My whole family have used them for many years as they have a personal touch which other buildibng societies lack. Reviewed on: 3rd August 2023

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback, this is great to to read and we fully agree how important the personal touch is! Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 4th August 2023

In branch service review

Competitive rates and I like that it is a building society. Reviewed on: 31st August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your review. It's always nice to read positive feedback. Kind Regards, Emma Sinclair Senior Savings Operations Manager Response date: 3rd September 2024

In branch service review

Very good personal service. Would be useful if Harpenden BS could open a branch in central London to allow commuters to use the society in the working day. Reviewed on: 24th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your review, it's always nice to read when good service has been provided! Thank you for your feedback on potential locations of branches. Kind regards, Emma Sinclair Senior Savings Operations Manager Response date: 3rd September 2024

Very competitive interest rates but

Very competitive interest rates but far too many accounts including closed accounts. Why when a newer version is opened are existing account holders not automatically transferred into the new account? Reviewed on: 23rd August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Tiddy, Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review, and we're delighted you are pleased with your interest rate. If I may, I would like to address each of your other points individually. 1. I take on board the sheer number of accounts (both open and closed). This is always a trade off to ensure we have the right accounts for our members to achieve their financial objectives vs simplicity of the book. 2. Over the last couple of years, we have launched new products, however these have materially differed (in either product design or distribution) to our previous core products. We have, and will continue to signpost customers to review their accounts to make sure it still suit their needs, and have also improved the process for an existing member to apply for a new account without the need to complete a full application form. Where we have launched a new version, or issue of an account our existing members will have the same, or sometimes better headline rate than the new issue. We have, and will continue to monitor closed accounts to ensure that these provide our members with fair value. I hope that this has addressed your queries, however if you do have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 27th August 2024

In branch service review

Very polite staff. Helpful to an older person. Explained well. Reviewed on: 19th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback. I will pass it on to our Branch Team. Kind Regards, Emma Sinclair Senior Savings Operations Manager Response date: 3rd September 2024

Not straightforward to open an account

Not as straightforward to open an account as it should be. No details provided on initial communication about what sort code and account number to use. Also, poor information on how to register for an online account, and misleading details given about account number. Reviewed on: 16th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Ron, Thank you for your feedback, and I can empathise with your frustrations, especially regarding sort codes and account numbers. In a nutshell- Harpenden Building Society is not a 'clearing bank' and as such, we do not have a unique Sort Code. Instead (and similar to other smaller Building Societies) we use our bank to receive deposits and ask customers to quote their Harpenden Building Society roll number to ensure funds are credited to the correct account. I will review the signposting on our application journey to look for further opportunities to make this clearer. In the meantime, if i can be of any further assistance to you in this matter then please do not hesitate to contact me. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 19th August 2024

Friendly and helpful staff at the Tring Branch.

Friendly and helpful staff at the Tring Branch. Branch within easy distance from my home and I hope it remains open for years to come. Reviewed on: 15th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Ian, Thank you for your feedback- this is great to read and I will pass this to Gill and the team at Tring branch. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 16th August 2024

Very thorough.

Very thorough. Good levels of security used. A little daunting at first but if time is taken to read through all information, it's quite straightforward. Reviewed on: 11th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Angelica, Thank you for your feedback. It's always a delicate balance to ensure proportionate security, and an user friendly experience, and i'm glad on this occasion that we have met your expectations. We really appreciate your review. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 12th August 2024

In branch service review

Straightforward to use. Quick response and paperwork sent promptly. Reviewed on: 10th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read, thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 9th September 2024

I'm not great with online account opening so phoned...

I'm not great with online account opening so phoned 3 times to get advice, each time speaking to someone different. All extremely helpful to me. Lovely to actually speak to a human being who was happy to help! 10 out of 10, give those ladies a pay rise! Reviewed on: 7th August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi LJB, Thanks for your feedback and i'm sure the ladies who spoke to you will be delighted with your review... especially your thoughts regarding a pay rise! If we can be of any further assistance to you then please do not hesitate to contact us. Yours sincerely, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 8th August 2024

Customer service

In every interaction I have had with them, the staff at the Leighton Buzzard branch of Harpenden Building Society have been extremely professional, helpful and friendly. They have answered my queries and dealt with any enquiries very promptly and efficiently. Reviewed on: 3rd August 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read and thank you for your review. I will make sure that this is passed to Isabel and the team at Leighton Buzzard. Thanks once again, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th August 2024

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Harpenden Building Society: Savings reviews

100% increase in 5 star reviews

100% increase in 1 star reviews

Latest highest rating:

5

Latest lowest rating:

1

About this product

Harpenden Building Society Savings reviews (430)

A friendly helpful building society with a personal touch

In branch service review

In branch service review

Very competitive interest rates but

In branch service review

Not straightforward to open an account

Friendly and helpful staff at the Tring Branch.

Very thorough.

In branch service review

I'm not great with online account opening so phoned...

Customer service

Do you have a different Harpenden Building Society product?

Want to see more from Harpenden Building Society?

Mortgages

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