Notices

  • We’ll shortly be making some changes to our Online Service to make it simpler and easier for you to use.  

    Our new Online Service will have a modern design, improved navigation and many added benefits.  

    Find out more about the changes

  • From 1 March, our Windfall Bond savings account will earn you 3.50% annual interest (Gross AER).

    With exclusive entry into a monthly free prize draw with prizes ranging between £100 and £50,000.
    Click here to find out more and apply.

    Notice updated: 3 March 2025

  • IMPORTANT: The last day of the 2024 / 2025 tax year is Saturday 5 April.

    Our online and postal ISA applications for this tax year will close from 5pm on Friday 28 March until the morning of Monday 7 April. Find out full details and timings for opening and funding ISAs with us within the current tax year.

  • Mortgage products - From today, Monday 24 March, we’ve made changes to our mortgage product range. These include an increase to our Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) maximum loan size for Owner Occupier Repayment mortgages to £1,000,000, new Owner Occupier Interest-Only mortgages to 80% LTV, and the introduction of our House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) mortgages to general sale.

     

  • Our new 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond (54) paying 4.60% AER on balances of £10,000+ is now on sale. Exclusively online only.  Find out more here

Higher education

If you want to pursue education after high school there are range of different options available to you.

Having taken GCSEs, there are a variety of options open to young people. 

There’s some good advice available online, however asking the views of family and friends as well as individuals in the local community or those working in a profession of interest may be worthwhile. 

Useful information on options can be found on the following sites:


Learning or training until the age of 18

Young people need to stay in learning or training until the age of 18 but don’t need to stay in school to do this.

The options are:

  • Studying for ‘A’ levels, BTECs or the IB Diploma full-time in a school, College or with a training provider
  • Working or volunteering, combined with part-time education or training
  • Taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship.

If you need guidance to help you find your career purpose then Career Alchemy can help you get into a career you care about.


University Costs

Studying for a degree at university is expensive. 

Whilst some parents may be able to help their children meet their university bills, most students take out student loans to cover fees and living costs. The loans are available to both undergraduates and post-graduates. 

Information about how to apply for a student loan can be found on gov.uk. Here you will also find details of maintenance and special support grants for members of low-income families.


Repaying Student Loans 

No matter where you studied in the UK, the way you’ll repay your student loans will be the same. 

However, there are differences in the rules of loan repayment and interest; this is because England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have separate policies that govern student finance.

For further information please refer to the gov.uk.


Interest on your loan

All student loans accrue interest from the day they are paid. The amount of interest on a student loan will vary according to the repayment plan type. 

For more information, see the Student Loans Company. To find out which repayment plan type is applicable, there is a section on the website which helps the individual to work out which repayment Plan type they have. 

Borrowing and debt

Most of us may need to borrow money at some point in our lives. We've outlined some key things you need to consider when borrowing money.

Read more