The Hertfordshares/Bedfordshares account offers an attractive rate of interest with the added advantage of ensuring that your savings are readily accessible.

How much can I save?

You can open an account with any amount between £1,000 and £200,000. The minimum investment level must be maintained for the account to remain open.

You can invest a lump sum and add to it whenever you wish. If the balance, after withdrawal, on your account is £10,000 or more you can have instant access to your money, otherwise 30 days notice is required to avoid any loss of interest.

A passbook will give you a record of the transactions that you have carried out. Please present it every time you pay into your account or make a withdrawal.

How is interest paid?

This account offers a variable rate of interest. Interest is calculated on a daily basis and is paid twice yearly on or about 30th June and 31st December. You can choose to have the interest added to your account so that your savings grow faster or, if you prefer, the interest can be paid to another account or credited to your bank account.

Interest will be paid net of income tax at the rate required by law, or subject to the required certification, gross. Full information on how you can receive interest without tax being deducted is available on request.

Paying money in

Money can be added to your account by any of the following methods:

• Cash (up to £3,000 per day) or cheques can be paid in over the counter
• You can ask your bank to arrange a direct transfer once your account has been opened
• You may also pay cheques into your account by post

Our Freepost address is: Harpenden Building Society, FREEPOST SB165, Harpenden, AL5 4BR

When making cheques payable to Harpenden Building Society you should also include the name of the person(s) into whose account the money is being paid (e.g. Harpenden Building Society - Account holder's name).

If you are paying cheques into your account they will take six working days to clear from the day after receipt. You will also earn interest from the day after receipt.

Taking money out

You can have immediate access to your savings without any notice or loss of interest providing that at least £10,000 remains in your account following the withdrawal. Alternatively, you can give 30 days' notice of a withdrawal without any loss of interest. If you are not able to give this notice you can still withdraw your money, but will lose 30 days' interest on the amount withdrawn.

You can withdraw up to £250 in cash per day over the counter or a maximum of £10,000 by cheque per day.

If you would like a cheque for a larger amount, please let us know in advance as special arrangements may need to be made.

Opening an account

Simply download the Hertfordshare/Bedfordshare Account leaflet on this page and complete the Application and Declaration form. Return these together with your deposit and identification to open your account.