Charter Savings Bank Reviews

It was very easy to set up the new account. Clear instructions were given on transferring money into the account. Managing the account looks straight forward. Overall, excellent!

Very helpful staff

The account was easy to set up and add funds to. However, the verification process for the linked account has now failed 4 times and the phone support have no idea how to fix the issue - IT error. People are very helpful but do not have the knowledge to fix the issue or even know who does.

I have an online Easy Access Cash ISA. Charter regularly launches new issues of the same account. It then cuts rates on old issues. This means existing customers get poorer rates than new customers. To switch to a new issue you have to use online banking to open a new isa account and then transfer funds across yourself. All this means having to constantly monitor new issues and repeatedly switch which is a huge admin hassle. Charter obviously hope you won't bother so they can rip you off. FCA guidance says this type of practice is more likely to breach the Consumer Duty so why is Charter persisting with this sludge practice? AVOID

On maturity of a fixed rate 12 month bond, I am told it will take two days for the money to be released into my nominated account. In the meantime CSB will earn interest on my money for which I will not receive a penny in benefit. In this modern and digital world with fast payments between banks taking two hours or so to transfer money, this is an annoying aspect of their trading practice which will prevent me using them again

Appalling service overall Compliance department don't know their own rules (2 pieces of ID from their own list not accepted!) Complaints don't answer calls or respond to complaints Disappointed and distressed

Absolutely terrible company. I am currently with them for my ISA. I had to chase both companies with how my ISA transfer was going, both were terrible. Charter Savings Bank took 12 days to allocate my funds to my ISA, their investigation into my complaint was awful and tardy. I am only staying with them as the interest rate is good. Heaven help me when I transfer away to another company. My complaint is with the FOS currently.

They acknowledged receipt of the ISA form to transfer the proceeds when my account with them was about to mature and the fact that I had requested this to take place on maturity. I had given the account roll number on the form, so Charter transferred instead to their easy access ISA account and when the bank to which I wanted to transfer contacted them on the maturity date, giving the roll number of the matured account, they replied that the account had expired. I had been unable to give the roll number of the easy access account because I didn’t know this when I completed the transfer form. This is clearly a sharp practice, designed to deter customers from transferring their savings to other banks. I notice that another reviewer has complained about this on here. I sent a message to Charter yesterday but they say on one area of their website that messages will receive replies in 2 days although when I sent mine the message stated that it could take up to 5 days. I have already received a message and had a reply from the bank I am transferring to, which I know from experience is much more efficient. This transfer still hasn’t gone through on 7 July. They want more details. I sent them a secure message on 1 July. They know who I am and what the problem is. They are just trying to keep my funds for as long as possible.

I had a postal savings account with Charter and wanted to transfer in to an online savings account. I contacted Customer Services and spoke to an Officer called Dan for advice about doing this. The help and support which I received was of the highest standard and very impressive. I was guided through the whole process by Dan as I wasn’t that confident about setting the account up. I was conscious of taking up his time, but was reassured that it was fine, he was there to help. It all went smoothly and I not only had an excellent savings account set up, but also felt that the service I had received was outstanding for supportive, friendly and knowledgeable service.

I put some savings into this Bank due to the interest rates offered but have to say after just over 3 months with them I am going to sacrifice the higher interest for ease of getting money in and out of the account. Paying in is difficult but withdrawing is almost impossible. Money disappears for days at a time during evert transaction especially if a weekend or bank holiday is involved. The fact there is not app feels like banking in the 90s. If you are in no rush to pay in or withdraw then take the higher interest but if you need any fluidity in your cash flow give a wide berth to this Bank

All good, have used you before re my husbands savings, he recently passed away that was also dealt with very easily.

I switched my ISA to Charter. The set up process was very efficient and the transfer went through smoothly and quickly.

Good online and interest rates, at least for a while. Unfortunately if they close your account on a Friday, they don't refund you until Monday- so you lose interest- over £20 in my case- and this is unacceptable!

The application process was very easy and my savings account was set up very swiftly. The payments into the account have also been applied very quickly and an acknowledgment email sent which is very reassuring. Very happy so far as a new customer to Charter Savings Bank.

The interest rate was my key reason for opening an account with CSB as it is very good. The initial process was straightforward. I got stuck in a 'verification' issue. However, once resolved things moved quickly. The Internet access is fine although, at this stage, there is no specific app. The security seems strong and certainly tests my memory. The only reason I have dropped one star is the speed of transferring funds back to my main account. Because of the slight delay, I have to keep some monies in a different account, paying less interest, for immediate access. We're only talking 24h or so but I do like to have some emergency funds instantly available.

Charter are delaying the transfer of an ISA. they have had the correct forms for over a month, the transfer bank has contacted them six times and they are not acknowledging receipt of the transfer forms. they have only responded to one communication. Deliberately obstructive or just poor at admin - who knows? not acceptable in any circumstances

Misinformed about changing email address. Also emails requesting information were not clear

Not particularly easy to set up a savings account and very slow to respond to forwarded information in that respect.

Easy to select an online ISA with Charter Savings Bank. Excellent communication and service. Would recommend.

Although I am a new customer and the security information required is a bit laborious ( Although thorough and understandable) I have so far found that dealing with this bank an extremely pleasent experience and would recommend it to others. I hope that future dealings will be at the same standard as those I have already experienced.