Frequently Asked Questions

If you're an existing savings  customer with us, the quickest way to get in touch is via the Chat feature in your Online Savings Portal.

Alternatively, new or existing customers can email us: savings@birminghambank.com or info@birminghambank.com
or
Call us: 03330 048 048

We’re available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

At Birmingham Bank, we strive to provide excellent service to all our customers. However, if something goes wrong and you wish to make a complaint, please email us at complaints@birminghambank.com.

A member of our complaints team will review your concerns and respond within 48 hours of receiving your complaint.

Please note that our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and we are closed on weekends and bank holidays. Complaints received outside of these hours will be addressed on the next working day.

If you're having trouble logging in to your online banking, try the following steps:

Check your login details

• Make sure you're using the same email address and mobile phone number you used to sign up.
• We send a One-Time Password (OTP) via text and email to verify your login.

Not receiving your OTP?

• For mobile OTPs: Check your signal and ensure your phone is receiving messages.
• For email OTPs: Check your junk or spam folder in case the message was filtered by your email provider.

Still can’t log in?

• Click "Forgotten Password" on the login page.
• Follow the instructions to reset your password and regain access to your account.

Birmingham Bank is a fully licensed UK bank. From December 1st 2025, Deposits of up to £120,000 are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You can find out more information here: Financial Services Compensation Scheme Information Sheet - Birmingham Bank or head to their website here for further information: www.fscs.org.uk .

What’s changed?
From 1st December 2025, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection limit increased from £85,000 to £120,000 per eligible person, per bank.

What does this mean for me?
It means more of your savings held with us falls within the FSCS protection limit. You don’t need to do anything. Your savings are covered up to the new limit as of 1st December 2025.

When will I see the change reflected?
We have made updates to our website, your terms, and our FSCS information to reflect this change.

Do I need to take any action?
No, your savings are covered up to the new limit as of 1st December 2025.

What is FSCS protection?
The FSCS protects your eligible deposits if a bank, building society, or credit union fails. In that unlikely event, the FSCS will automatically refund your money (up to the limit) within seven days.

What if something doesn’t look right?
If you notice anything that doesn’t seem correct or you’re unsure about your protection, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to clarify it for you.

How can I contact you?
The fastest way to reach us is through the Chat feature in your Online Savings Portal. You can also email us at savings@birminghambank.com or call us on 03330 048 048 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm).

Yes, you can view and download your statements anytime from your Online Savings Portal.

If you need a statement for a specific time period or require it in an alternative format such as braille, audio, or large print, simply use the Chat feature in your Online Savings Portal to send us your request.

To gain access to a Birmingham Bank account as an attorney, we’ll need the following documents:

• A copy of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) document, or the access code to retrieve it via the official government website.
• A copy of your valid photo ID (passport or driving licence).

Once we receive and verify these documents, we’ll add you to the account and will be able to discuss account details with you directly.

We’re very sorry for your loss. To help you with the next steps regarding your relative’s account, please get in touch with us via:

• the Chat in your Online Savings Portal
• by email at savings@birminghambank.com
• by phone on 03330 048 048 (Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm)

Our team will guide you through the process of settling the account and what documentation may be required.

Birmingham Bank uses a name-checking service called Confirmation of Payee (CoP) to help protect against scams and reduce mistakes when making payments. CoP allows you to check if the account name matches before sending money, ensuring your payment goes to the correct person or business.

When you fund your Birmingham Bank savings account, CoP will check the details you've entered. This helps prevent payments from going to the wrong account.

How it works:

• Enter your account name and number.
• Your bank will check if these details match what we have on file.
• You'll get one of three results:
  • Match: The details are correct.
  • Partial Match: The name is similar. You’ll see the correct name and can update your details.
  • No Match: The details don’t match. You’ll need to check and try again.
  • Unavailable: There may be occasions where a CoP check is unavailable. For example, a system problem or the account holder’s bank doesn’t use the CoP scheme. You’ll need to check and try again.

If you’re unsure about your account name, you can verify it by logging into online banking.

Your data is secure.
Birmingham Bank and other banks securely share information to confirm the correct payee details. The CoP service is regulated by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR).

Opting out of Confirmation of Payee

You can’t opt out of CoP when you’re making a payment to someone else, but you can ask to stop your details being checked when other people try to pay you. They’ll see a message saying that your details can’t be confirmed.

We use CoP to make sure your payment isn’t sent to the wrong account by mistake. It also helps us to protect you from fraud. If you’d still like to opt out, please print, complete and post the CoP opt-out form back to us. We’ll get back to you within 14 working days.

Not all accounts can opt-out – if you can, we’ll let you know.

CoP opt-out form https://144374788.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/144374788/Confirmation of Payee - Opt-in-out form.pdf

Opting back into Confirmation of Payee

If you’ve previously asked for your details not to be checked when someone pays you, you can decide to opt back in. Please print, complete and post the CoP opt-in form back to us.

CoP opt-in form https://144374788.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/144374788/Confirmation of Payee - Opt-in-out form.pdf

You can apply for a Fixed Rate Bond online only at www.birminghambank.com.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be a UK resident and only tax resident in the UK
• Not be a US person (including US citizens, residents, green card holders, or those subject to US tax)
• Open the account in your own name only - we don’t support joint, business, charity, or trust accounts

Once your account is open, you have 14-days to make deposits, this is known as your funding window.

Funding Rules:

• Payments must come from your nominated UK bank account (this is the account you provided during application)
• Only Faster Payments are accepted
• We do not accept cheques, CHAPS, BACS, international transfers, or cash

You can make multiple deposits during this period, as long as they are within the limits and sent from your nominated account.

To fund your account, use the following bank details:

• Account Number: 12756462
• Sort Code: 30-62-61 (may appear as Lloyds)
• Payment Reference: Your 8-digit Birmingham Bank Account Number (found in your welcome email or Online Savings Portal)

Make sure the payment reference is entered exactly. The payment reference tells us which account to credit.
If it's incorrect or missing, your deposit may be delayed or returned.

You have 14 calendar days from the day your account is opened to fund your bond, this is called your funding window.

For example, if your bond is opened on 1st March, your deadline is 14th March. Once the 14 days have passed you can no longer make deposits into your bond.

You can make as many deposits as you'd like within the 14-day funding window, up to the maximum deposit amount.

You can find your exact deadline in your welcome email and your Online Savings Portal.

• Minimum deposit: £5,000
• Maximum deposit: £250,000

If your bond isn’t funded with at least £5,000 within the 14 days, your account will be closed and any funds will be returned to your nominated account (within 3 working days).

If you deposit more than £250,000, the excess will be returned to your nominated bank account.

You can make as many deposits as you'd like within the 14-day funding window, up to the maximum deposit amount.

No, you can only fund your Fixed Rate Bond using your nominated bank account.

You can choose a nominated bank account when you sign up for your account and make changes any time from your Online Savings Portal.
If you're unsure which one that is, check your Online Savings Portal for more information.

Yes, if you’d like peace of mind, we recommend sending a small test payment (e.g. £1) before transferring your full deposit.

Once the amount appears in your Online Savings Portal, you’ll know your payment details are correct.

No, early cancellation or closure is not allowed except in two cases:

• If the account holder passes away
• If we make a change to the agreement that disadvantages you

If either applies, please contact us via the Chat in your Online Savings Portal, by email at savings@birminghambank.com, or by phone on 03330 048 048 (Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm).

No, interest is paid gross, without tax deducted.

You are responsible for reporting and paying any tax due.

At least 14 days before maturity, we’ll contact you with next steps.

Your options include:

• Withdraw your funds to your nominated bank account
• Redeposit into a new Birmingham Bank Savings Account of your choice

If we don’t receive instructions by your bond’s maturity date, we’ll move your funds into a Holding Account to keep them secure and earning interest.

A Holding Account is a temporary, variable-rate savings account that we open automatically when your Fixed Rate Bond matures and no instructions are provided.

It ensures your funds:

• Continue earning interest
• Remain accessible while you decide your next move

Your Holding Account has a variable interest rate, meaning the rate can go up or down over time. We may change the rate if there's a valid reason.

Yes, we’ll always notify you of:

• Any change to your Holding Account’s interest rate
• The effective date of the change

You’ll be contacted via email and through your Online Savings Portal.

You can manage your funds at any time using your Online Savings Portal. You have two options:

• Withdraw your balance to your nominated bank account
• Redeposit into a new Birmingham Bank Savings Account of your choice

There are no penalties or restrictions on withdrawals from your Holding Account.

While there is no fixed limit, the Holding Account is designed for short-term use until you make your next redeposit or withdrawal decision.

Log in to your Online Savings Portal at any time to view your Holding Account balance, interest rate, and available options.

A notice savings account means you need to give advance notice before you withdraw your money.

For example, with a 95-day notice account, you must wait 95 days after requesting a withdrawal before your money is paid.

You cannot access your money during this time.

In return, notice accounts may offer a higher interest rate than some instant access accounts. Rates can change and are not guaranteed.

This type of account may not be suitable if you need quick or regular access to your money.

You can request a partial withdrawal any time through your online savings portal.

You can have more than one notice request active at the same time.
The notice period starts on the day you submit your request.

For a 95-day notice account:

• Day 0: You give notice

• Days 1–95: Notice period

• Day 96: We process your withdrawal

We send the amount you requested to your nominated account.

The rest of your balance stays in your account and continues to earn interest. Your balance must stay at or above £5,000. If it falls below this, we will close your account.

You can request a full withdrawal through your online savings portal.

The notice period starts on the day you submit your request.

For a 95-day notice account:

• Day 0: You give notice

• Days 1–95: Notice period

• Day 96: We process your withdrawal

We will return your money to your nominated account. If your withdrawal falls on a weekend or bank holiday, we will send it on the next working day. It may take up to three working days to arrive.

We calculate interest up to the withdrawal date and include it in your final payment.

Your account will close once the payment is made.

No, you must wait until your notice period has ended before you can access your money.

Once the notice period ends, we process your withdrawal automatically.

Yes, you can cancel a withdrawal request up to 11:59pm on the day before the withdrawal date through your online savings portal.

If you cancel: 

• The withdrawal will not go ahead

• Your money stays in your account

• Your available balance updates straight away.

Yes, once your account is open and funded, you can add more money at any time, up to £250,000. Your total savings with Birmingham Bank must not exceed £250,000, excluding accrued interest, at any one time.

Payments must be made from your nominated account.

You can also add money while a withdrawal notice is active, unless you have requested a full withdrawal.

Your balance must stay at or above £5,000. If it falls below this, we will close your account.

If you request to withdraw your full balance:

Your account will close once the withdrawal is processed

We will send you a confirmation email

Any interest earned will be included in your final payment

Once closed, you cannot add money to the account.

Your cooling-off period is 14 days and starts when you first fund your account.

During this time, you can close your account through your online savings portal.

If you close your account within the cooling-off period:

• You will receive your full deposit back

• You will receive any interest earned up to the date of closure

• You will not need to give notice

• We will return your money to your nominated account.

• If your withdrawal falls on a weekend or bank holiday, we will send it on the next working day. It may take up to three working days to arrive.

Once your account is closed, you cannot reopen it or keep the same interest rate.

The interest rate on a Birmingham Bank  notice account is variable, which means it can go up or down.

If we increase your rate, we will apply the change and let you know.

If we reduce your rate, we will give you advance notice before the change takes effect. This will be at least:

Your account notice period for example,

• (95 days), plus

• An additional 14 days

This gives you time to decide whether to keep your money in the account or give notice to withdraw it.

If you are an existing customer of Birmingham Bank, the best way to contact us is to email mortgageservicing@birminghambank.com or call 03330 048 048.

We’re available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm

To find out your current loan balance, please email mortgageservicing@birminghambank.com

Yes, if you’d like to request a statement you can make the request via email using: mortgageservicing@birminghambank.com

If you are thinking of repaying your Birmingham Bank loan, you need to request a redemption statement. Please allow 5 days for us to prepare this. You can make the request via email using: mortgageservicing@birminghambank.com

Your monthly mortgage payments are detailed on your mortgage offer or facility letter.

If you would like additional support, please email mortgageservicing@birminghambank.com or call us on 03330 048 048.

The Renters' Rights Act 2026 brought major changes to the private rental sector.

• Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) have been replaced by a single system of open-ended tenancies, giving tenants more security.
• Section 21 "no fault" evictions have ended, so landlords must now use specific legal grounds to regain possession.
• New rules also apply to rent increases, advance rent payments, pet requests and tenant discrimination.
• Local authorities have stronger enforcement powers, and penalties for non-compliance have increased.

As a landlord, it's important to review your tenancy processes, stay up to date with the new requirements and maintain accurate records.

Most landlords and letting agents must have supplied their tenants with the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. You can find more information and the sheet here.

Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK