Managing your Britannia Savings Account
We're switching Britannia customers to Co-operative Bank savings accounts
If you're an existing Britannia customer, find out more about the changes and how they may impact you.
Summary
We want your experience of Britannia to be as positive as possible, but we also understand that circumstances can change. That's why we're committed to providing you with honest, helpful information, so we can help you find what you need – when you need it.
I've lost or forgotten the details for a Britannia account. What do I do?
At Britannia (as part of The Co-operative Bank plc), we're dedicated to reuniting our customers, or their legal representatives, with any accounts or funds which may have been forgotten or lost.
If you think you've got an account with us that you haven't used for a while, we can check to see if one exists. You don't need to give us an account number, though we will need some identification and additional information, like:
- Your full name, or full name of the account holder.
- Other names by which you or the account holder has been known (e.g. before marriage).
- Date of birth.
- Details of any previous addresses lived at since the account was opened.
- The name or names of any other account holders.
- Estimated date when the account was opened.
You can contact us by:
- Visiting your local branch.
- Calling us on 0800 132 304 (call charges).
If we're unsuccessful in tracing a particular account, we'll assess the next steps we can take. Alternatively, you can visit the free 'my lost account' website where you can also get help tracing your lost accounts and savings.
Please note: if you have money in a lost or forgotten account, it will always be yours - no matter how old it is.
Does Britannia participate in the Unclaimed Assets Scheme?
Britannia (as part of The Co-operative Bank plc) is proud to be part of the statute-backed Unclaimed Assets Scheme, who works to close inactive accounts and reunite customers with unclaimed funds.
We'll attempt to contact the account holder if an account has been inactive for 15 years or more, even if no other related customer activity has taken place. We will write to the account holder at their last known address, provided any mail we send hasn't been returned as ‘addressee gone away’. In some cases, we might widen the search to reunite customers with their accounts.
Despite our best efforts, some inactive accounts might still become dormant. If your account's classed as dormant and attempts to contact you have failed, the balances may transfer to Reclaim Fund Ltd (RFL). This not-for-profit fund holds money from the dormant accounts (also known as unclaimed assets) of customers, then distributes it to good causes in the UK.
There are some types of accounts, like Child Trust Funds, where the 15 year dormancy period will only begin once any fixed term comes to an end.
You'll also have the right to reclaim your money after the funds have been sent to the Reclaim Fund. We retain customer records for dormant accounts, so all accounts reinstated will include any interest due. All transferred account money will still be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Britannia is a trading name of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. (“the Bank”), registered number 990937, whose registered office is P.O. Box 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP. References to “we”, “us” or “our” means Britannia and/or the Bank.
How do I request a statement?
You can request a statement for your savings account by calling us on 0800 132 304 (call charges). We'll ask you to confirm your account number and some personal information.
How do I request a statement of interest?
Following the introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance on 6th April 2016, we pay interest without deducting income tax. If you earn more interest than the amount permitted as tax-free income, you’ll have to pay tax on the interest directly to HMRC.
If you need a statement detailing any interest paid since the 6th April 2016, please call 0800 132 304 (call charges) and we'll send a statement to your registered correspondence address.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
Please note: Interest from Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) doesn’t count towards your Personal Savings Allowance because it’s already tax-free
Interest paid prior to 6th April 2016
A Statement of Deduction of Tax (Section 975 Certificate) can be issued for interest paid and tax deducted prior to 6th April 2016. The certificate illustrates the gross amount of interest paid, tax deducted and the amount paid into your account.
If you need a certificate, please call us on the number above and we'll send one to your registered correspondence address.
Savings terms explained
AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and shows what the interest rate would be if interest were paid and added to your account each year.
Business day is usually Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
Calendar month means from midnight on the first day of a month to 11.59:59pm on the last day of the month.
Fixed interest means the rate stays the same until the account matures.
Gross is the rate of interest payable before any tax is taken off.
Tax-free means you will not pay any tax on your interest.
Tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April.
Variable interest means that it could go up or down.
Please note: any reference to tax is based on our understanding of current tax regulations which may change in the future and depend on the customer's individual financial circumstances.
The Co-operative Bank reserves the right to decline or accept any application and/or deposit.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Your eligible deposits held by a UK establishment of The Co-operative Bank plc are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. This limit is applied to the total of any deposits you have with the following: The Co-operative Bank, Britannia and smile. Any total deposits you hold above the limit between these brands are unlikely to be covered.
Please read further information on the FSCS scheme here or visit their website.
Not found what you're looking for?
Contact our support team