We are often asked for more information on various savings providers that are less well-known or new to the savings market. In this regular series of articles, we aim to turn the spotlight on these providers to give you more information about their background and history and why they are of particular interest in today’s savings market.
We hope that you find this information useful and as always, if you have any feedback or suggestions as to who should appear in a future article, please let us know.
The provider chosen this time is Atom Bank, the first of a group of banks that are focusing on utilising digital technology, with the aim to make banking easier and more convenient.
Background Information
Atom Bank was the first in a new wave of digital-only banks that launched in the UK in recent years. This newer breed of bank is attempting to shake up the banking industry by offering convenient banking by taking advantage of the increasing popularity of mobile and online banking.
Atom Bank was the UK’s first digital-only bank to have launched, having gained its Banking Licence from the Bank of England in 2015. April 2016 saw the launch of its first savings accounts, albeit to a limited number of customers, who pre-registered interest with the provider and are using the bank’s app. October 2016 saw the provider open its doors to the wider public, now allowing everyone to download the app and apply for its accounts.
The bank itself is based in Durham, in the North-East and was founded by Anthony Thomson, who was Chairman of Metro Bank, which was the first high street bank to be launched in over 100 years.
Atom Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). In addition, Atom Bank is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so funds placed with the provider would be covered up to £85,000 per person, should the provider go out of business.
For more information on the FSCS, please take a look at our handy guide or call us on 0800 011 9705 to speak to one of our expert savings advisers.
Application Process and Customer Service
The key point to note about this provider is that it is exclusively mobile based, so the bank will not have a branch presence. For those who have reservations about using online and digital channels for their banking, this provider therefore may not be suitable. As with any provider that relies heavily on technology, Atom Bank will be judged on the quality of its processes and the experience of those using the applications.
If you have applied for an account already and have successfully opened one, we would love to hear from you to find out more about your experiences – good or bad, so please get in touch to share any feedback you have.
A final word…
It is tempting to stick to the well-known brands when it comes to savings accounts, but in doing so, you may be missing out on some of the best rates on the market. Whilst there are some exceptions, for example High Interest Current Accounts, you can no longer rely on the larger brands and high street names to offer the best interest rates. Providers like Atom Bank and other new or less well-known providers continue to drive competition in the savings market and offer some of the best rates available at the moment. The best strategy is to look at all options and take each provider on its own merits, considering alternative providers to get the best returns for your money. As long as you do your research (or ask us for more information!) there is no reason not to consider them in future.
As mentioned earlier, if there is a provider that you would like to see featured in a future article, please let us know. We are also keen to hear from you if you have any feedback about any provider’s customer service, good or bad! Please contact us at [email protected] to share your experiences.
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