Review Time
How I wish I had read these reviews before trying to open a fixed rate bond with this bank. Having filled in the online application form, I received an email asking for a photo of my driving licence or passport. Concerned about the potential dangers of sending such information via an email I asked whether they had a secure method of sending documents via their website. No, they did not, but they told me to send it as a password-protected document and then to telephone with the password. This I did - but I then started receiving messages saying I hadn't sent the required documentation. I telephoned and was told someone would 'look into it'. Nothing happened and I continued to receive emails telling me I hadn't sent the documentation, so I cancelled my application. Dreadful service.
Similar with me. I got through to the end of the process with similar growing doubts about the integrity of this entity.I tried then to access their portal before submitting funds only to be told the login details were incorrect. Total rubbish. Then the paying in sort code and account number Conister sent me by email were declared invalid by my nominated account, even before I could enter the reference number.That was enough for me and I informed Conister that I wanted out and that all the many, many personal details they now hold on me be expunged and they then send me a wet signature letter confirming they had done this.Tonight I get a BS email saying they have no intention of doing this quoting AML legislation.You decide, would you trust this outfit? Note: this is the UK FCA registered, FSCS protected, branch I am talking about, not its international operation.
I was thinking of opening a fixed rate account with Conister Bank UK as their recent 9 month rate offering (4.7% AER) was very good. And then I saw the awful reviews on here and on other review sites. Nevertheless, I thought I'd start an application in case they had improved since those reviews were written. When I got to the request for a UTR, with an asterisk by it with no corresponding explanation, I concluded nothing had changed. I just put in my NINO and they seemed OK with that! I ploughed on. I paused again when it asked for my employment status. As I had been retired for nearly 20 years I was astounded to be then asked for details of my last employment including start and end dates. Totally ridiculous, but I made something up and that was OK with them too! I did eventually get to the end of the application and managed to get it accepted and to register for their online portal. It’s almost as if they had taken an old fashioned and long winded Isle of Man paper based manual application form and just computerised it without attempting to improve the process. Along the way, I received a number of emails from them titled, variously, “Member Onboarding” and “Customer Onboarding”. Why can’t they use plain English? At no stage did they say how to fund the account eg payee, sort code, account number and reference details. I had to send a secure message requesting the details. The response I got was extraordinary – they would look into it and let me know. Their T&Cs are inconsistent on how long you have to fund the account. In one place it says you have 30 business days and in another 30 calendar days. That’s around 2 weeks difference! Finally, when I logged on and saw my account (an interim easy access account from which they move funds to the fixed rate account) the first 4 digits of it were crossed out. Why do funds have to go via an interim account at all? And why is half the account number crossed out? Is their portal insecure? I have fixed rate bonds with many UK banks and, in every case, opening an account online was quick and easy and the information provided upfront by the bank comprehensive and consistent. I have decided to put my money elsewhere. Apart from the fact I’m not going to leave money lying around earning not much while Conister gets its act together, I have little confidence they would handle my account well. All I can say to Conister is you have a long way to go, and you will have to up your game hugely, if you want to be successful in the ultra competitive UK savings market. Incidentally, 3 days after launching the 4.7% rate it went down to 3.18%. Maybe they had 100 applications and struggled to cope. What a farce from this amateurish organisation.
I wanted to open a 1 year Fixed Rate account. The registration process was very long-winded and included me having an account with GetBusy UK to access their 'Virtual Cabinet Portal'. This is the first time I have ever had to use a third party system to pass electronic documents. All other banks that I have used manage secure documents and messages via their own website.Once the account was verified I was then told that my deposit(s) would go into a holding account with zero interest and then moved (after 3 working days) into the Fixed Rate account. I am assuming that I will never know the account details for that. The whole process seems unnecessarily convoluted and makes me very wary.The final nail in the coffin is that once I had my account verified and then went through the process of setting up my 'Self-Service Portal', I was then unable to login to that portal because it claimed that my login details were incorrect.This bank might be legitimate, but if it is then it needs to improve its systems. It will not be holding my money.
I applied for the fixed savings account 4.7% for 9 months. Like most of the reviews on here. Took nearly 3 weeks to open account. Then they sent an email asking why I not deposited funds. I responded I had not receive the relevant details to do so. These were then sent via email. I did manage to set pay details up but set up the nominated payee as Bank not myself. I could only do it like this I was told to use my reference then it be moved to my savings account . That was only way I could do it then monies would be transferred to acct. I sent nominal amount first to check it went in. I was a bit dubious at this point as never had monies deposited this way. Once all deposited the actually savings account was not fully operational. I was only able to accessvery basic details and could not see my nominated account details either. To cut long story short there were then too many mis communication from the bank on this and lack of clarity. So I was getting very concerned about the security of my funds with them. I have now duly closed the account and requested funds to be sent back to me as I could not as nominated account was not accessible to do so so, say no more !! Received my funds back on 27 August much to my relief. Would never deal with them again. I went off recommendation from Money Saving Expert. I wonder how many more did ?!
Tried to open a 9 month fixed account but struggled to do so. At the final stage it kept telling me my bank account had 'failed verification' despite it being accepted earlier in the process. I gave up at this point as I could get no further. Imagine my surprise when an e-mail arrived saying my application had been initiated. Can't think I shall be proceeding. No means to contact them.... Please do not reply to this message. And when you go to their website looking for contact details they appear nowhere to be found! AVOID! If they're that keen to keep you at arms length god forbid what happens when you want your money back!
After a mammoth questionnaire application form, taking considerable time. With questions never being asked before. 'Dates of start/finish of your last employment' and a strange personal tax number? I'd been accepted by the bank for a 1yr Term Fixed account, but what happens next? How do I make a deposit? How do I even get to logon with the all important password?So many unanswered questions, leaving the applicant completely bewildered, thank you Martin Lewis for leading me up this garden path?
Opened a one year bond at 4.5% but funds sat in an instant access account not paying interest. Website keeps crashing and nominated account details not added. Can't close the account. It operates on the edges of the regulations clearly. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE
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We offer financial solutions across the Isle of Man and the UK, helping customers achieve their goals with trusted, flexible banking services. With a legacy of trust dating back to 1935, Conister Bank is proud to be an independent institution committed to personal service and long-term relationships.
Our expertise covers a wide range of financial products designed to support both individuals and businesses. We provide personal and business finance, high-interest savings options, SME and corporate lending, asset finance, mortgages, bridging loans, block discounting, and secured credit facilities.
At Conister Bank, we believe in more than just transactions - we believe in partnerships. Our customer-first approach means we take the time to understand your ambitions and provide the financial support that makes a real difference. Whether you’re planning for the future, growing your business, or navigating new opportunities, we’re here to help you succeed.See more
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