Smart Money People Logo
Go to business site
Share this page
Link copied

Harpenden Building Society: Savings reviews

View other Harpenden Building Society products
4.29
Based on 430 reviews, last reviewed 11th Feb 2026
27% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
200% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
83%
See only 4 star reviews
8%
See only 3 star reviews
4%
See only 2 star reviews
1%
See only 1 star reviews
4%

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
John G's avatar
John G

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
Valerie B's avatar
Valerie B
Visit provider site Read all reviews Write a review

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?

Review Harpenden Building Society: Savings now

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience.
Give a 1 star rating Give a 2 star rating Give a 3 star rating Give a 4 star rating Give a 5 star rating
Write a review

Harpenden Building Society Savings reviews (430)

bit steam powered at times but nice people.

3
bit steam powered at times but nice people. The website is clunky and an awful lot has to be done on paper, usually by filling in forms with the tiniest boxes imaginable. You get to know the tricks eventually. Interest rates were insultingly bad for many years (always lower than others) but currently are surprisingly good. Branch staff always helpful as are the contact centre, assuming they answer the phone, that is... Reviewed on: 30th January 2024
distance's avatar
distance
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your note and lot's of feedback to digest. I'll try and respond to each point as best i can. Website and paper- Yes, we get that and agree. We are working hard to improve the online experience including the website. With regards to the paper, I also agree although I would stress that we have made massive progress in improving on this over the last twelve months. We have introduced our Digital On-boarding service which means that customer can apply for an account without completing a paper application, we have also amalgamated many of the paper applications into one simple form to try and reduce the amount of unnecessary paperwork you (and we) have to process. I'm delighted that you are pleased with the rates, we have some great products available and more up our sleeve too! I also agree regarding the branch teams and contact centre. They are the backbone of the Harpenden Building Society. They have experienced and unprecedented amount of applications following the launch of a market leading ISA last week. As such, service levels have been impacted, however we have assigned additional resource to help with account processing and we are confident that we will return to our normal service levels soon. We appreciate your feedback and if I can be of any further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 31st January 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

I've been hanging on the phone for over 20 minutes.

2
I've been hanging on the phone for over 20 minutes. They just do not answer calls. Dont tell me this is a one man outfit? Reviewed on: 30th January 2024
Leyla D's avatar
Leyla D
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Leyla, Thanks for your feedback. As an explanation (and not an excuse) our teams are processing an unprecedented amount of applications following the launch of a market leading ISA product last week, and as such we have experienced a spike in customer queries which has resulted in longer waiting times than we would like. We have added extra resource to our processing team and are confident that this will return us our normal service levels. I'm hoping you were able to get through in the end, but if not please contact me at [email protected] and I will do my best to answer your query. With kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 31st January 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Online log in doesn't work

1
Not a great start, opened a new savings account with Harpenden. I've apparently been registered for online banking and need to manage the account from here but the log in details sent to me don't work. My only option is to call the 'help' desk. I've been on hold for 20 minutes and still no answer, no indication of que length. Reviewed on: 29th January 2024
Lhia984's avatar
Lhia984
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Lhia, I'm sorry to understand that you have been experiencing issues with our online system. I hope my colleagues were able to assist, however if not please do not hesitate to contact me on [email protected] and I will do my best to assist. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 30th January 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Upon discovering your online ISA

1
Upon discovering your webpage https://www.harpendenbs.co.uk/savings/personal-savings-accounts/online-isa/ I decided to open your online ISA account issue 1. Clicked to apply which took me to another page, selected 'new customer', this took me to another product selection page (https://online.harpendenbs.co.uk/Registration?type=personal&?ReturnUrl=%2f), which to my dismay did not list the online ISA account issue 1, anywhere! Reviewed on: 24th January 2024
Alan O's avatar
Alan O
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Alan, Thanks for your review and i'm sorry to understand that you are disappointed with the application journey. We made the decision yesterday evening to withdraw the Online ISA (Issue 1) as a result of high demand and to maintain our service levels. The withdrawal from the website and our online banking platform can take a few minutes as these are hosted by different providers. We are hoping to launch a new issue Online ISA very soon, and if you would like further details on this please either contact me directly or sign up for our newsletter on our website. If i can be of any further assistance to you in this matter then please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Response date: 25th January 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
Love the thoroughness and innovation. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback- it is appreciated. We are launching some additional niche and innovative products in the near future, so please sign up to our newsletter via our website so that we can keep you up-to-date. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
I like the fact that the staff in the Harpenden branch are in informative and friendly and help on the end of the phone. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read, thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
Friendly and efficient staff. It feels like a family service that is lacking in so many other financial institutions. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback- this is really great to read. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
Courteous, efficient, helpful service. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read. Thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 7th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
Friendly staff with good opening hours. Cannot think of any improvements that are needed. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read, thank you for your feedback. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society Branch Review

5
Everything is hunky-dory. Interest on savings needs to improve though. Reviewed on: 19th January 2024
Verified Member's avatar
Verified Member
Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback and I'm delighted to understand that everything is hunky-dory (one of my go-to expressions too!). I did want to address your point with regards to interest rates. We have and are continuing to make significant changes across the savings range, and as a result 99% of our savers are getting a higher than average rate. Please sign up to our newsletter via our website where we can keep you up-to-date on new products and information on how to apply. In the meantime, if you have any further queries then please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 5th February 2024
Harpenden Building Society Logo
Harpenden Building Society

Do you have a different Harpenden Building Society product?

Share your experiences with products to help others make smarter financial decisions and learn more about different products available. Write a review

Want to see more from Harpenden Building Society?

    View all products

    Join Smart Money People

    Keep up to date on ratings of your favourite businesses. Find out about our awards and write new reviews with ease

    Create an account
    Man on beach

    News, guides and insight from our team

    View resource hub
    UK money news stories - 24 July 2024
    UK money news stories - 24 July 2024
    24th July 2024
    Posted in Money Talks by Errolyn Smith
    Your Money, Your Voice: Have your say
    Your Money, Your Voice: Have your say
    24th July 2024
    Posted in Our insights by Errolyn Smith
    Our latest research - customers see little impact of FCA's Consumer Duty one year on
    Our latest research - customers see little impact of FCA's Consumer Duty one year on
    24th July 2024
    Posted in Our insights by Darryl Barkwill
    Consumer credit awards winners 2024
    Consumer credit awards winners 2024
    11th July 2024
    Posted in Awards by Darryl Barkwill