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Harpenden Building Society reviews

Harpenden Building Society Logo
Rated Good 4.16/5

Harpenden Building Society reviews

Verified business Last reviewed within 7 days

Review summary

People rate this company as Good based on 456 product reviews

Average score of 4.16/5
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.
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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
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Reviews for Harpenden Building Society

Showing 11 of 456 company reviews Last reviewed within 7 days

Great product and branch

Savings 11th April 2026

I have recently visited my local branch in Harpenden to open a new Hart savings account available. The ladies dealing with my enquiry and account... I have recently visited my local branch in Harpenden to open a new Hart savings account available. The ladies dealing with my enquiry and account opening were knowledgeable about the product and very helpful in setting it all up for me. Great product and excellent experience, thank you Harpenden. Read more Read less

Rated Excellent 5/5
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New joint accounts and making transfers very difficult

Savings 8th April 2026

We were trying to close two accounts and transfer the monies to new accounts paying better rates. Process had to be done on-line, but were... We were trying to close two accounts and transfer the monies to new accounts paying better rates. Process had to be done on-line, but were unable to do this as error came up. We wrote to HO to ask them to open the accounts, and transfer the monies. A call was received and it was explained this was not possible we had to do it ourselves. The assistant was helpful but had to check herself what to do next as she didn't know. After some trying it turned out there was a problem as only one of us was registered for on-line access. Now have to register the second person and once approved can open the two new accounts. So have to go through it all again - twice, not to mention 30 days notice on one account. Did persist, but rather complicated, got thrown out a couple of times, and access is now locked for one of us. Spent considerable time trying to carry out a fairly simple task to still not be much closer. Have to wait 7 days for second registration to come through and can then try again. To be honest, so complicated will probably just close both accounts and move to a new provider, I don't have this issues with other on-line savings. I do understand the problems faced, having worked in the Finances in The City ourselves for numerous years, but this is frustrating, annoying and time wasting. We've been customers for probably 30 years, but this is so disappointing. Read more Read less

Rated Poor 2/5
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Reply from Harpenden Building Society
Dear Mrs J, Thank you for taking the time to set out your experience in such detail. I'm very sorry for the frustration and inconvenience you’ve encountered while trying to close and open accounts, and fully appreciate how time‑consuming and disappointing this has been for you. I recognise that what should have been a relatively straightforward process became unnecessarily complicated, particularly around joint account access, online registration and the resulting system errors and lockouts. We are aware of these shortcomings and are working closely with our software provider to improve the system and make these journeys clearer, more robust and less frustrating for our customers. I'm also sorry that, despite speaking with our colleague, you had to spend so much time repeating steps and waiting for registrations to be approved. I can completely understand how this, alongside the notice period on one of your accounts, has only added to the frustration. Above all, I want to acknowledge and thank you for your loyalty over such a long period, members such as you, with decades of experience both with us and within financial services, provide invaluable feedback. We’re genuinely disappointed that this experience has left you feeling let down, and your comments will be used to help drive improvements going forward. Thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback so candidly and if I can be of any further assistance in this matter then please do not hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected] Kind regards, Jon Sweeting Commercial Manager
9th April 2026
Harpenden Building Society
  • 5/5

    I visited last Monday wanting to open some ISA accou...

    I visited last Monday wanting to open some ISA accounts. It was extremely busy inside and very noisy. I was assisted by Astrid who was... I visited last Monday wanting to open some ISA accounts. It was extremely busy inside and very noisy. I was assisted by Astrid who was very friendly and engaging. She also put me at ease, as I didn't have any idea of what I needed to do to open the ISA's and was slightly nervous about committing my money. She's a credit to the business. I tried to complete the form but decided to take them home (also some forms for my husband and son) as there was no where to write as there were so many customers and the table was too low to use when it became free. Once we have completed everything we will be back. The branch is really nice but the noise was overwhelming. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Marion H","full_name":"Marion H","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Marion H 7th April 2026
  • 4/5

    Registering a Trust account.

    I wanted to register my father’s Trust account. Easy to fill in the online form but it did ask for the account number which it... I wanted to register my father’s Trust account. Easy to fill in the online form but it did ask for the account number which it rejected as not long enough. I entered the Roll number which it accepted. I hope that was correct. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Gill W","full_name":"Gill W","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Gill W 1st April 2026
  • 2/5

    Lacking in Customer Service

    Went into branch to ask for a Cash ISA to be transferred in to Harpenden BS. Just given a form to fill in, no help... Went into branch to ask for a Cash ISA to be transferred in to Harpenden BS. Just given a form to fill in, no help or real engagement. Meanwhile, someone dressed in casual clothing who was busy playing with his iPad turned out to be staff. Not sure what he was doing but it wasn't helping customers. Given no receipt or copy of the application form when handed in. Next a few days laterwas an email from Harpenden BS saying attachment enclosed - it wasn't. Then, much later, a letter through the post to say Cash ISA transferred. But I still haven't had anything to say the account was actually opened and what the account details are. Obviously a society that is trying to get more modern with some online services but still a lot through the post. It's confusing for the customer. I don't think I will be sending any more of my savings in this direction until they sort out systems and their way forward - paper or online. It could be either, but not a mix for one product. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Derek S","full_name":"Derek S","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Derek S 30th March 2026
  • 5/5

    My local Harpenden Building Society

    Harpenden Building Society is my local building society, offers great products and excellent service to customers. I particularly like how they communicate with customers via... Harpenden Building Society is my local building society, offers great products and excellent service to customers. I particularly like how they communicate with customers via email. Their messages are clear as they use simple language whilst being succinct. When I go into the branch, I always feel welcome and overall I have confidence in investing my money with HBS Read more Read less

    {"display":"Sylvia Gomes","full_name":"Sylvia Gomes","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Sylvia Gomes 27th March 2026
  • 5/5

    This is a short note to express our gratitude

    This is a short note to express our gratitude for the warm and helpful assistance we received when trying to set up our Savings ISAs... This is a short note to express our gratitude for the warm and helpful assistance we received when trying to set up our Savings ISAs at the Harpenden store. We were particularly grateful for the way the staff patiently took us through the paperwork with such good humour Read more Read less

    {"display":"Charles P","full_name":"Charles P","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Charles P 20th March 2026
  • 3/5

    I closed a 45 day notice account.

    I closed a 45 day notice account. I was asked for my bank details, which I sent, expecting the money to be directly transferred to... I closed a 45 day notice account. I was asked for my bank details, which I sent, expecting the money to be directly transferred to my account. Instead I received a cheque, which meant I had to travel to Milton Keynes to take my cheque to a bank. This was a real nuisance as I had to make a special journey to MK. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Frank","full_name":"Frank","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Frank 7th March 2026
  • 5/5

    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.... 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 helpful and it was a relaxed experience in pleasant surroundings. Read more Read less

    {"display":"John G","full_name":"John G","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    John G 11th February 2026
  • 5/5

    Great local banking branch

    Great to have a local branch to go into and speak to a human. Good product and lovely people.

    {"display":"Steve","full_name":"Steve","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Steve 9th February 2026
  • 5/5

    Exceptional telephone Staff.

    I would like to express how extremely helpful the staff members were on the telephone when dealing with Cash ISA questions, namely Jane, Laura and... I would like to express how extremely helpful the staff members were on the telephone when dealing with Cash ISA questions, namely Jane, Laura and Catherine. They were all very knowledgeable with an excellent manner, and a credit to Harpenden Building Society which I highly recommend. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Jacqueline ","full_name":"Jacqueline ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Savings
    Jacqueline 2nd February 2026

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