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Harpenden Building Society: Savings reviews

Name: Savings
Rating: 4.67 (354 reviews)

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4.42

Based on 354 reviews, last reviewed 14th Apr 2025

9% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

100% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

84%

Latest highest rating:

4

Opening hours not so good, but staff are very helpful Opening hours not so good, but staff are very helpful Reviewed on: 27th March 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Failure to make a deposit into a new ISA account. Registered and opened an account. Failed to transfer the first deposit from my bank because an additional reference is incorrect. Sort code and acct n... Read more Reviewed on: 14th April 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 (354)

Review of the Harpenden Building Society, Savings:

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

Poor interest

The interest rate has eroded over time, even when BOE base rate was going up! Reviewed on: 23rd November 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Robert, thank you for your feedback, it is appreciated. I'm sorry to understand you feel your interest has eroded over time- specifically mirroring movements in the Bank of England Base rate. We have worked hard to ensure that all our products provide good outcomes, fair value and assists customers in achieving their financial objectives. Currently the vast majority of our savers receive better than the UK average savings rate. In addition to this, our closed issue products are priced to match their open book equivalent. We have, and will continue to signpost customers to new products so they can make an informed choice to decide is a new product would be suitable. We have made also the process to switch accounts much simpler and without the need to submit a full application number. Your feedback is appreciated, and id we can be of any further assistance then please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 25th November 2024

Very quick and easy to set up an account online.

Very quick and easy to set up an account online. Email notifications when rates change. Reviewed on: 22nd November 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Katie, This is really good to read. Thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 25th November 2024

Excellent and helpful customer-facing staff.

Excellent and helpful customer-facing staff. I was led through registering online with great patience and not hurried through the process. Very much appreciated! Thank you to the 2 ladies who dealt with me, Catherine and ? Reviewed on: 31st October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Thank you for your feedback, and I'm delighted to read that my colleagues were able to to help. I will pass your feedback onto Catherine and her Line Manager. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 1st November 2024

In branch service review

Staff always very friendly and helpful. Reviewed on: 31st October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read. Thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 1st November 2024

In branch service review

The personal service is excellent. Staff are always helpful, efficient and personable. Reviewed on: 31st October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read. Thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 1st November 2024

In branch service review

Very helpful, friendly and local. Reviewed on: 31st October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read, thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 1st November 2024

Excellent customer service

I have called Harpenden a few times for different things. They have always been very helpful and knowledgeable. It has been easy to speak to someone, rather than stuck in a queue. Each time I called the problem or question was dealt with promptly and with great information. Reviewed on: 26th October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Stephen, This is great to read and we really appreciate your feedback. I'll pass this on to the team. Thanks once again, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 28th October 2024

In branch service review

Rates now seem competitive, and the society is local. Service is always excellent. Great as it is. Reviewed on: 22nd October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society This is great to read. Thank you for your feedback. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 1st November 2024

Applying on line a bit long winded

Applying on line a bit cumbersome having to scroll through loads of job titles etc. Old fashioned having to download a transfer isa form, to sign and then post, many now do this online. Reviewed on: 14th October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Hi Robert, Thanks for your feedback- it is really appreciated. I couldn't agree with you more about the ISA transfer form.... it seems odd that you can apply for an ISA through our online portal, but still require an ISA form to be downloaded. We are hoping to digitalise this process in the not too distant future. We take on board your comments regarding the cumbersome journey, specifically scrolling though many job titles. We are also working hard with our software provider to improve this. Once again, thank you for taking the time to give us some valuable feedback, and if I can be of any further assistance in future then please do not hesitate to contact me. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 15th October 2024

The company failed to inform Me of several savings...

The company failed to inform Me of several savings rate reductions throughout 2024 and when i complained they were arrogant and totally un - understanding and unhelpful Reviewed on: 1st October 2024

Reply from Harpenden Building Society Dear Simon, Thank you for your review and I’m sorry to understand that you are unhappy with the service you have received- specifically relating to communications regarding interest rate reductions. We monitor all electronic communications to establish if any messages are ‘undelivered’ or ‘suppressed’ and will look to contact these customers through a different channel. We have fully reviewed and investigated your complaint and have sent you our final response on the 1st of October. This details how to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint, however we would welcome further discussion if anything in our final response is factually incorrect. Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager Response date: 2nd October 2024

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Harpenden Building Society: Savings reviews

9% increase in 5 star reviews

100% increase in 1 star reviews

Latest highest rating:

4

Latest lowest rating:

1

About this product

Harpenden Building Society Savings reviews (354)

Not straightforward to open an account

Poor interest

Very quick and easy to set up an account online.

Excellent and helpful customer-facing staff.

In branch service review

In branch service review

In branch service review

Excellent customer service

In branch service review

Applying on line a bit long winded

The company failed to inform Me of several savings...

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