Instant access savings accounts

[Pondrew]

Seeing as most people on here are extremely well off and retire at about 45..

Does anyone have savings accounts (instant access, not ISAs, or locked up accounts) with any of the 'slightly obscure' banks/ building societies?
I am looking for another account, as well as the ones I already have. I have found two that pay good interest with no penalties and instant access that can be used online without having an 'app' (I don't want an app-only account).
Both are not well known, to me at least. They are Close Brothers (know the name from car finance) and Family Building Society (never heard of them).
Close Brothers are offering 5.15% instant access with no real conditions, apart from having to have £10,000 in the account.

Any thoughts, or experience?

[pvr]

As long as it is FSCS underwritten (up to 85k protection) and reviews are good, the risk is low. Perhaps you need to ask a train driver though

[MikeyH]

Try the Yorkshire Building Society, very friendly and seemed to have good rates last year when we looked around and have shops you can walk into for a chat if needed. Also Virgin Money.

[buzyg]

I have a Skipton On-line account, that seems to remain competitive. Have looked at Yorkshire accounts a few times, but they seem designed to lock you in. ie improved rates promised over time. I prefer to remain flexible.

Follow PVR's advice above.

5.15% is very good. As long as it's not just there to pull you in then they drop it. I guess if they do you can move it easily enough. I'm getting a mear 3.7% with Skipton

or just send me all your money and I will invest it wisely for you. In an S54..

[Pondrew]

The FSCS guarantee is why I need to open another account as it only covers £85k per person per licence; and that I'm only getting 3.5% at present with the Coventry BS (but I like them as they actually answer the phone and the accounts are easy to manage).
Agree that the 5.15% is very good and it isn't a bonus rate, just a variable standard. Only very slight downside is it only pays the interest annually. I like monthly but it isn't a deal breaker.
It's not the risk I am concerned about; just how easy the bank/ account is to deal with TBH.

[pvr]

Check if they share a license though with another institute / bank which may leave you exposed.

To test a bank, I just put a tenner in. If it works fine, then I move the money in.

[Zedebee]

If you have a variable rate mortgage, pay it down/off. The effective rate of interest you’ll be earning (assuming your a tax payer) will be much more that you can earn on deposit.

[Nanu]

I have an account with Chase Bank. They offer some good savings rates and are great when spending abroad

[Johnbmwz4]

Have you looked at NS&I? Their direct saver with easy access is 3.65%. As it’s government backed they don’t have the FSCS £85K guarantee . They have their own guarantee that will cover 100% of your savings

[MikeyH]

Some while ago Premium Bonds were supposed to be good

[Nictrix]

Im almost positive that we have a savings account with Santander that gives you te choice when you open it for annual or monthly interest.
We have monthly interest and I think it is around 5%.

[Pondrew]

Im almost positive that we have a savings account with Santander

Wifey deals with the money, then?

[Pondrew]

If you have a variable rate mortgage, pay it down/off.

No mortgage, no debts. Been there done that, didn't like it!

[RAYK47]

I don't have any savings, I spent it all on a 35i

[Pondrew]

I don't have any savings, I spent it all on a 35i

Oh dear! That could be a problem with the N54 engine!