Skipton International Limited Avis 

We moved within Spain on the 6th July. We notified them by registered post . Since then we have been trying to verify our address. We are still awaiting a utility bill . When one does we have to get it translated . We paid our Lawyer/accountant to fill their form in and certified a letter. They received this last week and still mulling over it. All security questions answered but cannot withdraw any money until this is verified. We have been with the Skipton for many years since The Leeds closed on Gibraltar. We are having to consider if we stay with them or not

6 weeks to get money out of a Skipton account into my current linked account. No communication , limited staff . Get rid of some management and invest in customer service.

Having recently changed address and having an account with Lloyds , I changed it on their app in 2 minutes. Also having an account with Skipton I have now been trying to change it for almost a week without success. Incredible complicated process, messages, phone calls, documents to send to Guernsey etc. Update 2nd April. The address has been changed finally on 1st April after 6 days in which I had to post a proof of address to Guernsey which cost me £9.25 tracked and recorded delivery. Having read other comments here, it seems clear that they have long winded processes which certainly aren't the practice of LLoyds Bank.

I would give them zero if I could. Dreadful, convoluted process to open an account, especially for people xith poor eyesight. In the end I gave up. The rates look good, but are no use if you can't open an account.

The rates available are great but omg their systems are absolutely shocking and bordering on prehistoric. Every, and I mean, every, transaction has caused what they call "a trigger" which means you have to send proof of ID, address , inside leg measurement every time you want to pay money in take money out, change your address, mobile number etc.... Paper forms have to be downloaded, completed, scanned then emailed. Each time it takes days to be actioned. My last credit of just £1000 was paid in on 31st December and it is STILL NOT showing on my balance because it created "a trigger".... Such archaic systems in a modern industry.

We have been with Skipton Int for 10 yrs. In March 2025 they have started CDD process now we are in 2026 and still ongoing. Three different people handeling the case, lost documents, resubmission of documents, failed communication and transparency. I have to say it is very stressful with no reason. We have had few problems with customers service too. Really shame.

Do not place confidence in this broker; your deposit goes through, but your withdrawal never arrives although they insist it is finalized, whiler̺͆e̺͆t̺͆r̺͆i̺͆e̺͆v̺͆i̺͆s̺͆t̺͆a̺͆which I discovered online, offered exceptional service and resolved it fast.

Bit of a fight to open my first account but finally made it. Once set up the basic banking processing through their web based service seems to be working ok. Any communications I've had with them (phone and messaging on the site) have been dealt with swiftly

The application process and getting online access are sufficiently complex and demanding to test the patience of a saint. However, once set up, the banking process looks straightforward enough. Fingers crossed!

I live abroad, this is my 3rd year with a Skipton International fixed term bond. I have never had any issues with maturing interest payment or topping up my investment each year. Any queries I made were answered promptly and efficiently. Currently, they are giving the best rate of all the UK offshore accounts, and their online access to my investments, statements etc makes life easier for end of year tax returns.

Waste of time

Downloaded the forms to open a business savings account for USD, got together the extensive documentation, ID, management accounts and various other docs required. Sent in, no response, follow up on email, no response. Try to call the number provided, no answer. Avoid if you actually want to get anything done with this lot

I agree with the others who have written about the recent demand of proof of identity and address.
The chap was asking me how much I earned. I have been retired for 10 years. Where did my savings come from etc. I have been with Skiption for nearly 10 years.
The doctor surgery does not certify documents anymore. The post office said they cannot use the form Skipton provided. And it's not free.
And now I have to pay for this certification using a solicitor.
Real nuisance. Don't bother to save there.
Does anyone knows if it is just Skipton International? They claim its a banking requirement in Guernsey.

Skipton International are withholding access to my funds, until I give them my employment history prior to retirement in 2006. I have placed funds with SI off and on, chasing interest rates, since around 2016. They have proof of funds but that is not enough, beware, steer clear, they think they are a law unto themselves....

This company has NOT complied with my wishes NOT TO RENEW my account. Instead, they have made every effort to delay the process until the cooling off period for the unwanted renewed account is passed.

As per my previous post on Trustpilot, I decided to close my account with Skipton International. I requested that instructions as to how to close the account. Note that this was well in advance of the renewal date. None was sent.

Despite these numerous emails, guess what, they renewed the account. After further protestations, I received an email with two options: (1) fill and return a withdrawal form via unsecured email, or (2) to call them. The former was not acceptable due to security reasons regarding my banking information, and the time difference made the latter a non starter. I immediately completed the form and returned via registered mail. In addition to this, I have had to send a formal complaint to their complaint department, all in a bid to get my money back.

The staff at Skipton International have repeatedly disregarded my written wishes and instead made haste to open a new account. It’s unbelievable the amount of headache I have had dealing with these people. So be warned! You might have a similar experience in the future.
UPDATE.
My money has been finally returned. This outcome is likely because of my last post on Trustpilot and the subsequent efforts on my behalf by Danielle in the complaints department at Skipton International (SI).

Having a savings account with SI has been riddled with difficulties. The only good thing that can be stated, from this association, is that the interest rates on their Fix Term bonds were better than that offered by my home bank. However, after my negative experiences, I will not be doing business with them again.

I don’t usually leave reviews, and I’m not writing this because I was declined and want to complain. This isn’t coming from a place of sourness. Rather, I feel it’s important to share my experience as a reference for future applicants, especially strong ones who have multiple options when choosing a lender.

Skipton International’s mortgage process, in my case, was frustratingly opaque and ultimately unjust. Despite a clean financial history, large deposit, long-term stable employment in public sector, and successful completion of all affordability and ID checks, my application was abruptly declined based on a single historical transfer that had no relevance to my declared deposit. What was most concerning was that the decision seemed based on assumption, not fact and without providing a fair chance to clarify or contextualize the source of funds. Their due diligence process felt rigid, inconsistent, and even arbitrary.

Their AIP (Agreement in Principle) ultimately meant very little, and the lack of flexibility or willingness to engage in reasoned discussion left me blindsided and cost me the property I had already legally and financially invested in through surveys and solicitor fees.

Skipton may work well for very straightforward domestic cases, but if you're an overseas buyer — even one with strong credit, savings, and verified income I would strongly advise caution. Skipton is not only bureaucratic, but also unforgiving, with little transparency or respect for individual context. There are other lenders who offer equally competitive rates with far more professional and responsive underwriting.

I’m very disappointed with a recent demand to confirm my identity and address, followed later requesting evidence concerning the source of my savings. Due diligence should be taken when opening the account and not asking for details that in my case went back over 10 years.
Mr Chhokar appears to be a new staff member instigating these enquiries, but amazingly he hasn’t even updated his LinkedIn profile. Not a good image

Hitherto they had offered excellent service but they have recently demanded documents concerning ID and proof of address. That would be reasonable when setting up an account but not from long standing customers with no suspicious activity. I assume that they are under pressure from HMRC but they claim it is for customer security. The alternatives offered are to scan documents onto their form and to get a third party to verify them (why?) or to download an ap which does not seem to work. It is all very annoying.

In the past I have had good service from Skipton International but this time it has been a disaster, went on their website to make a withdrawal and filled in all the details. checked again the next day and all details of the withdrawal had vanished so rang them and they actioned a withdrawal, this was on Tuesday. Waited for the funds to arrive in my current account but by the following Monday no sign of the funds so rang again to be told that they had contacted me at the beginning of September to ask for more documents (they had not contacted me) and my account was frozen until the documents arrived AND I STILL DON,T KNOW WHAT DOCUMENTS THEY REQUIRE as they could not tell me when i rang up and i am now waiting for an email

Is this a scam company? They have taken a substantial amount of money, closed access to my online portal and no one answers the phone. Beware. My experience thus far is deeply concerning. I am looking into the process to report this formally and see if there is any way to recover my assets.

Been saving with Skipton for almost a year. Very helpful staff, easy to operate my online account and excellent rates.