Leeds Building Society

Leeds Building Society Savings accounts and rates

Find out about Leeds Building Society, and see if their savings options are right for you.

Compare Leeds Building society accounts
No reviews yet. Write a review
Avatar
Chris Lilly
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked

Leeds Building Society is one of the largest financial service providers in the UK. It has more than 719,000 customers across the UK, and all together they hold £9.9 billion in savings balances. The society was registered as the Leeds and Holbeck (Permanent) Building Society in 1875, but in September 2005 it was renamed to Leeds Building Society.

It now offers a variety of saving plans, mortgages, life planning and insurance services. Continue reading to find out more.

Leeds Building Society instant access savings accounts and rates

Table: sorted by interest rate, promoted deals first
Data updated daily
Name Product Account type Withdrawals Min. opening balance Interest rate Apply link
Leeds BS – Double Access Saver
Leeds BS
Variable
Instant access
£5,000
0.5% AER variable
Leeds BS – Blue and Amber (Issue 8)
Leeds BS
Variable
Instant access
£1
0.15% AER variable
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Cash ISAs and rates

Table: sorted by interest rate, promoted deals first
Data updated daily
Name Product Account type Withdrawals Min. opening balance Interest rate Apply link
Leeds BS – 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA (Issue 125)
Leeds BS
Cash ISA
Instant access (penalty applies )
£100
1.35% AER fixed until 30.11.26
Leeds BS – 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA (Issue 111)
Leeds BS
Cash ISA
Instant access (penalty applies )
£100
1.15% AER fixed until 01.12.24
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Fixed-rate bonds

Table: sorted by interest rate, promoted deals first
Data updated daily
Name Product Account type Withdrawals Min. opening balance Interest rate Apply link
Leeds BS – 5 Year Fixed Rate Bond (Issue 468)
Leeds BS
Fixed
Withdrawals not permitted
£100
1.35% AER fixed until 30.11.26
Leeds BS – 4 Year Income Bond (Issue 77)
Leeds BS
Fixed
Withdrawals not permitted
£100
1.2% AER fixed until 30.11.25
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

A bit more about Leeds Building Society

The company has a rich history operating in the UK, originally being founded in the 19th century. Leeds Building Society now has 65 locations across the UK and employs over 1,240 people.

What is a 'building society'?

A building society is a financial institution owned by its members. They offer banking, and related financial services including mortgages and savings.

Whereas banks are normally listed on the stock market and run for their shareholders, building societies aren’t. Because they don’t have shareholders to pay, building societies have historically claimed to offer better interest and cheaper mortgage rates than banks.

What savings accounts does Leeds Building Society offer?

Leeds offer a range of savings accounts, including:

ISA Tax-Free Accounts

  • No taxes on the interest you earn
  • Savings are free from UK Income Tax>/li>
  • Doesn’t count towards your Personal Savings Allowance
  • Save between £1 and £20,000 this tax year
  • Easy to apply and manage

Online accounts

  • Interest paid on maturity.
  • Minimum operating balance of £1,000
  • Deposit up to £20,000 in a single tax year
  • Unlimited withdrawals

Bonds

  • Minimum operating balance of £100
  • Maximum balance of £1,000,000
  • Interest paid on maturity
  • Unlimited withdrawals

Regular Savings Accounts

  • Variable interest rates
  • Minimum balance of just $50
  • Maximum balance of £3,000 until maturity
  • Limited to one withdrawal without loss of interest prior to maturity

Variable Rate Accounts

  • Limited Issue Online Access ISA
  • Smart Saver
  • Rainy Day ISA
  • E-Saver
  • Access Saver
  • ISA Saver

Children’s Savings

  • Accounts for young people between 0 and 17 years
  • Interest paid annually
  • Minimum balance of just £10
  • Maximum balance of £1,000,000 plus accrued interest
  • Withdrawal limits depend on account type

Blue & Amber Account

  • Interest paid annually
  • Minimum operating balance of just £1
  • Maximum operating balance of just £1,000,000 (£2,000,000 for joint accounts)
  • Unlimited withdrawals

What is a 'account maturity'?

A fixed term savings account is one that pays interest at a fixed rate for a set amount of time, for example 2% for two years. After this time, the product comes to an end and you will no longer receive the interest rate that you have previously been receiving on your investment. When this happens it is called a ‘maturity’.

Is it easy to switch to Leeds Building Society?

Leeds Building Society make it very easy for customers to switch their savings accounts. With Leeds, you can open an account in branch, by post, over the phone or on the website.

All you need is a proof of ID and address, and the minimum deposit to open an account.

How do I decide which account is for me?

You need to work out what it is you need from your bank account. Are you looking to put a bit of money away each month? Do you want to put some money away and restrict access to it? Are you after rewards or hoping to maximise interest?

You need to work out what you need before comparing the different offers available for certain types of bank account. Once you’ve done that, useful guidelines to compare include:

  • Interest rates
  • Fees (if there are any)
  • Access to cash (if you need quick access for instance)
  • Rewards and loyalty schemes (if you’re into the add-ons or switching bonuses)

Does Leeds Building Society Offer online or mobile banking?

Yes. When you open an account you’ll be provided with credentials to log into your account. You can also open online savings accounts that can only be opened and operated online.

Here are some of the basic features of Leeds Building Society’s online banking service:

  • View rates and current balances for all of your accounts
  • View and print a transaction statement at any time.
  • Request withdrawals or transfers between your accounts
  • Open another account
  • Set a savings goal to help you work towards a target

What are the benefits and drawbacks of banking with Leeds Building Society?

The benefits

  • Better interest rates. Building societies don’t have shareholders to pay, and have usually claimed to offer better interest rates than banks.
  • Flexibility. Leeds Building Society’s variety of accounts offers flexible options no matter what kind of savings you’re looking for.
  • FSCS protection. With Leeds Building Society you have peace of mind that comes from knowing your money is protected up to a total of £85,000 by the UK’s deposit guarantee scheme.
  • High street presence.If you like the assurance of a physical presence and prefer face-to-face customer service there are a number of physical branches in the UK.

The drawbacks

  • Customer service. Leeds Building Society’s customer service has had mixed reviews online. While reviews have a tendency to be anecdotal, it’s something to keep in mind.

Our verdict

Leeds Building Society savings accounts range from easy access and ISAs, to fixed term and savings for children, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs.

Be sure to check out our other reviews first, though, to see how Leeds Building Society’s accounts weigh up against the competition in terms of rates, fees and perks.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    PearlJanuary 1, 2019

    My 2-year fixed rate is due to mature on the 3rd of January. What can you offer me?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      JoshuaJanuary 2, 2019Staff

      Hi Pearl,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      If you’re referring to Leeds Building Society, you may check the items mentioned under the subheading, “What savings accounts does Leeds Building Society offer?” found above.

      If you’re looking for other bank accounts, you may go to this page. On that page, you will see a table that allows you to conveniently compare your options based on their features and details. Once you found the right one for you, click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more or initiate your application.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

      Reply
Go to site