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Managing your Britannia Savings Account

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.

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.

Learn more

What happens if my passbook is lost or stolen?

If you can't find your passbook, or you think it may have been stolen, get in touch with us as soon as you can.

Having your account number ready when you call will help us find your details quicker.

Passbooks

Call us on 0800 132 304 (call charges) to report your passbook missing.

Requesting 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.

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 set up a Direct Debit for my Britannia account?

Setting up a regular monthly direct debit can help your savings to grow. If you would like to pay an affordable amount into your Britannia account each month please complete a direct debit mandate and drop it in at your local branch, or post it to us:

Britannia, Saving Services, Newton House, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5RL

Please note that not all Britannia accounts allow additional investments. Please check your account terms and conditions before submitting your form.

Find our direct debit mandate form below.

How do I change my interest details on my Britannia account?

You can make changes to the way we pay you your interest, if your account terms and conditions allow it. Please call 0800 132 304 (call charges) to discuss.

Please note that some Britannia accounts have restrictions on the way that interest is paid. Please check your account terms and conditions before requesting a change.

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 and Saturday 9am to 12pm.

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.

Where can I learn more about my Personal Savings Allowance?

For more information about the Personal Savings Allowance, and to find out whether you may need to pay tax on your interest, visit gov.uk/apply-tax-free-interest-on-savings

How long does it take for a cheque to clear when I pay it into a Britannia account?

If you pay a cheque into your account, once we receive the cheque, it will clear and credit within two Business Days.

Once the cheque is credited, if applicable, you will then start to earn interest. If a cheque you deposit isn't paid, then a credit won't appear on your account and a letter will be sent to notify you of this.

If you pay a cheque into a Co-operative Bank branch, you should expect to see the cheque clear and credit your account within two Business Days.

If you post a cheque to us, it can depend on how long the post takes to reach us, but once we receive the cheque it will clear and credit the account within two Business Days.

How do I transfer money from another bank to my Britannia account?

You can set up a regular or one off transfer from another UK Bank or Building Society to your Britannia account. However, please check:

  • The terms and conditions of your account as some may not allow additional payments or additional payments by electronic transfer or CHAPS.
  • Your 'Charges' leaflet for any costs which may apply.

To send an electronic payment such as a Faster Payment or standing order to your Britannia account, you will need to provide your Bank or Sender with the following account information:

  • Britannia's sort code: 57-13-27.
  • Account number: 00000000 (always enter 8 zeros here).
  • Reference: Your 9 digit Britannia account number, e.g. 123456789. If you have an 8 digit account number please add a '0' to the front of it. Your Britannia account number can be found on your passbook or statement.

CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System)

CHAPS is a same day transfer of funds. A CHAPS transfer will generally incur a cost from the transferring organisation in the region of £25. A CHAPS payment may also be referred to as a TT (Telegraphic Transfer).

To complete a CHAPS transfer, you will need to provide your bank or the Sender with the information set out below.

  • Britannia's sort code: 08-91-06.
  • Account number: 00000000 (always enter 8 zeros here).
  • Reference: Your 9 digit Britannia account number, e.g. 123456789. If you have an 8 digit account number please add a '0' to the front of it. Your Britannia account number can be found on your passbook or statement.

Please note, when you make a payment into your account by Electronic Transfers or CHAPS the following conditions apply:

  • If your Bank does not have the ability to quote the 'Reference' as described above, you will not be able to instruct transfers. Please do not reduce your Britannia account number by removing digits so it fits as the 'Account Number', as this will cause the transfer to be unsuccessful.
  • The Britannia General Terms and Conditions (attached below) contain more important information about payments into your account such as when they'll start to earn interest, when you can withdraw them and what happens if something goes wrong with the payments.
  • If we receive monies electronically in a currency other than Sterling then this will be converted into Sterling before we credit it to your account and there will be a charge for this.

What is the Faster Payments Service?

The Faster Payments Service is an electronic payment method, which speeds up the way you make and receive electronic payments. Your payment should normally reach the payee's account immediately.

Then maximum you can send via faster payment is £100,000.

How much do you charge for running my account?

While we try at all times to keep costs to a minimum, there may be occasions when we make charges for the day-to-day running of your account.

Details of the charges which may be applied to and deducted from your account are set out in the Specific Terms and Conditions for your Account.

We may change any of our charges, or introduce new charges, from time to time. You can find more details about circumstances which may cause us to make these changes in our General Terms and Conditions for Savings Accounts.

Are there any charges for electronic payments?

Below is a list of charges for administering Electronic Payments on your account.

UK Telegraphic Transfer/CHAPS (Credit Housing Automated Payment System) - £25

CHAPS is a bank telegraphic transfer service which allows money to be transferred from your account to another account quickly and conveniently. If you wish to make a CHAPS transfer within the UK the charge will be payable upon making a withdrawal in this way.

Foreign Telegraphic Transfer/CHAPS - £21

If you wish to transfer money from your account to an account overseas then we will charge you £21. (For urgent transfers outside the EEA the charge will be £25, please ask for details).

Please note that you may also incur agency bank charges (where they apply they will normally be between £5 and £100).

Foreign Deposit Charge - £7.

As specified above, these are charges which apply to Electronic Payments to and from your account. Details of other charges which apply generally to our savings accounts are available on request and details of charges which are specific to the account you open will be contained in the relevant product fact sheet. We may vary these charges and introduce new ones at any time for the reasons set out in the Britannia General Terms and Conditions and we'll tell you about any change in accordance with those conditions.

What other charges are there for a Britannia savings account?

You will need to pay particular, reasonable costs and expenses for tasks outside the day-to-day running of your account. These include charges for making payments by CHAPS from your account. If we intend to make a charge for any specific service or product which falls outside the day-to-day running of your account, we will tell you before we provide the service or product, and whenever you ask us.

We may change our charges or introduce new charges from time to time but we'll always inform you in line with our terms and conditions. 

Tips on managing your finances

If you're looking to find out more about the world of money the MoneyHelper website is a great place to start. It's packed with useful information, tools, calculators and guides to help you get a better understanding of your finances and how to make the most of them.

See all tools and calculators

There are step by step guides offering advice on:

  • Managing your money.
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  • Dealing with debt.

Have a look at the full list

Plus lots, lots more… Go to MoneyHelper website.

Get in touch

For all Britannia Savings enquiries call 0800 132 304.

Lines open: Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm, Saturday - 9am - 12noon (call charges).

Important Documents

Here you can view a copy of the Managing your Britannia Savings Account Guide, which contains information on how to open and manage your account.

Also available is a copy of the Britannia General Terms & Conditions, which apply to all of our Britannia branded savings accounts. Specific Terms and Conditions may apply to different account types, please refer to the information for each account type for full details.

The Britannia Direct Debit mandate allows you to set up Direct Debit payments to your Britannia account. To do this please print out the form, fill it in and return it to us.

Remember you can subscribe to a Co-operative Bank/ Britannia Cash ISA as long as you have not subscribed to another cash ISA with another provider in the current tax year.

If your Britannia Child Trust Fund is maturing

Since September 2020, Child Trust Funds have started to mature. Find out what you can expect from us and what you need to do.

Find out about Child Trust Fund

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 11.59pm 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.

Find out more about Financial Services Compensation Scheme | This will open in a new tab

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.

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