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

Harpenden Building Society reviews

Harpenden Building Society Logo
Rated Good • 4.14/5

Harpenden Building Society reviews

Verified businesses always have up to date contact details and can respond to reviews.

Verified business Last reviewed within 7 days
See more on their website Write a review

Review summary

People rate this company as Good based on 432 product reviews

Average score of 4.14/5
5 star
80%
4 star
8%
3 star
4%
2 star
2%
1 star
6%
Reviews for Harpenden Building Society have trended negatively over the past 90 days

Harpenden Building Society shines with its friendly, helpful staff and the comfort of local branches offering personal service. Many appreciate the traditional passbook and face-to-face contact, which feels like a proper community. However, the online experience often frustrates users with clunky systems and poor support. Interest rates and mortgage handling also draw mixed feelings, with some finding them uncompetitive or slow to adjust.

Positive themes

  • Harpenden Building Society’s staff are consistently friendly, helpful and make you feel valued.
  • Having a local branch with face-to-face service and passbooks is a big plus for Harpenden Building Society.
  • Harpenden Building Society offers competitive interest rates and good savings products.

Negative themes

  • The online system is clunky and frustrating with activation and login issues at Harpenden Building Society.
  • Interest rates on mortgages are slow to drop and savings rates often get cut without proper notice.
  • Opening hours and branch closures cause inconvenience for some Harpenden Building Society customers.
Summarised by AI
Was this helpful?

About Harpenden Building Society

Harpenden Building Society was founded in 1953 and is a mutual organisation. This means it’s run for the benefit of members and not shareholders.

Since 2023 it’s provided savings products on a national scale that includes easy access, ISAs, notice accounts and fixed rate bonds.

Harpenden Building Society also provides mortgages via intermediaries to borrowers turned away by the high street who have complex income or unusual properties.

Harpenden Building Society at a glance

Contact details

Website
Visit provider website

Reviews for Harpenden Building Society

Showing 11 of 432 company reviews • Last reviewed within 7 days

Surprise interest rate drop

Savings • 17th December 2025

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 other societies.

{"display":"Valerie B","full_name":"Valerie B","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Terrible • 1/5
Read more product reviews
Reply from Harpenden Building Society
Hi Valerie, Thank you for your note, and I apologise if there has been any confusion regarding the interest rate on your account. From your message, it appears that you applied for an Online Single Access ISA in October. This account offers a higher rate if you make one or fewer withdrawals per calendar year, and a lower rate if you make more than one. Interest is accrued at the lower rate throughout the year, and provided that no more than one withdrawal has been made, the higher rate will be applied when interest is compounded on 31st December. If you would like me to check the status of your account or if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager
18th December 2025
Harpenden Building Society

I received a telephone call yesterday for a request...

Savings • 12th December 2025

I received a telephone call yesterday for a request regarding a charity donation nomination Found this quite surprising but if you do need an answer... I received a telephone call yesterday for a request regarding a charity donation nomination Found this quite surprising but if you do need an answer anything to do with young people (boys and girls ) especially if they play football would be good. If you do not have that any organisation that's close will be OK. You can choose. Regards Charles Forrester Read more Read less

{"display":"C W F","full_name":"C W F","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Rated Good • 4/5
Read more product reviews
Reply from Harpenden Building Society
Dear Mr Forrester, Thank you for your kind note. For context, we encourage customers to provide feedback (both positive and negative) to help us continue delivering outstanding customer service and accounts that meet our customers’ needs while offering fair value. To encourage this, customers who are happy to leave their details are entered into a prize draw to choose one of our selected charities for a £100 donation. Following your note, we have made a donation to a youth-based charity. Once again, may I thank you for your feedback (both this time and previously). If I can be of any further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager
18th December 2025
Harpenden Building Society
  • 1/5

    I am unable to log in

    I am unable to log in as I have the wrong internet browser. This seems to be an ongoing problem which needs to be addressed ASAP. Please get it sorted.

    {"display":"N RAT","full_name":"N RAT","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    N RAT 10th December 2025
  • 5/5

    In branch service review

    It is small and friendly with knowledgeable staff.

    Savings
    Verified source 4th November 2025
  • 5/5

    Very good Customer Service

    Quick to respond to queries whether by email or by telephone. Friendly and helpful when I called to ask for assistance.

    {"display":"Katharine K","full_name":"Katharine K","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Katharine K 10th October 2025
  • 2/5

    Suspended before I start!

    I received my activation detals 2 days ago; I have used them this morning and told my user ID is suspended. Not a great start... I received my activation detals 2 days ago; I have used them this morning and told my user ID is suspended. Not a great start and now I have to waste time next week whena t work phoning you as your helpline is not open at weekends. Not user-friendly. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Peter H","full_name":"Peter H","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Peter H 4th October 2025
  • 3/5

    ISA Account opening

    I have just applied to open an ISA and the process was straight forward. However, I feel the Form which needs to be completed to... I have just applied to open an ISA and the process was straight forward. However, I feel the Form which needs to be completed to fund my account from another provider is not in my opinion user friendly. Rather than completing an extensive Form, I feel it would be a better customer service experience, if as part of the application process, there were far fewer fields for populate. Most other financial service providers, only request a sort code, account number, name of provider where the funds are to be requested from and whether this is to be released immediately or the end of a notice period/upon maturity. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Handy Andy","full_name":"Handy Andy","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Handy Andy 3rd October 2025
  • 5/5

    In branch service review

    The main reason I wanted to complete this review is the paience and attention I was given recently in opening an ISA - Jill was outstanding.

    Savings
    Verified source 2nd October 2025
  • 4/5

    ISA tax free status transfer requirement

    Wishing to keep savings in an ISA. I question about a nominated account, it should also state that account (or/plus transfer to another ISA account)... Wishing to keep savings in an ISA. I question about a nominated account, it should also state that account (or/plus transfer to another ISA account) to keep funds tax free. Read more Read less

    {"display":"C W F","full_name":"C W F","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    C W F 27th September 2025
  • 3/5

    hard to understand their products

    hard to understand their products

    {"display":"rodger h","full_name":"rodger h","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    rodger h 5th September 2025
  • 5/5

    In branch service review

    The new lady was very friendly and helpful.

    Savings
    Verified source 4th September 2025

    Products from Harpenden Building Society

    Showing all products offered by Harpenden Building Society

    We are Smart Money People

    Join 2 million active users who make better financial decisions with the power of reviews.

    Create an account

    Protecting trust by verifying companies and reviewers

    The only site that specialises in financial services

    Providing everyday people with a voice