Atom bank review
Based in the North of England, Atom was founded in 2014 to be the UK’s first-ever app-only bank, with no physical branches. It is authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the PRA.
Atom bank is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so account holders are covered up to £85,000.
How to open an account
Available only to UK residents over the age of 18, new customers must use a smartphone or tablet to set up an account with Atom bank by downloading the app. You can then view the different financial products on offer and apply accordingly.
There’s no need for any paper documentation to set up an account, as everything is done through the app. You must deposit the money within the first week of opening the account.
You get a unique account number with a sort code to use with your Aton account, which means you can transfer up to £100,000 to your savings account. The minimum deposit is £50.
Atom bank accounts are focused on savings and mortgages, which means it has no current account options and no bank card. This means it may not replace your regular bank yet but could offer you a great deal on a financial product instead.
Atom bank mobile app
Atom bank customers rely solely on the app to manage their funds via a smartphone or tablet, which is comprehensive and comes with personalization options.
Security is tight, with Atom employing face and voice recognition technology to ensure only you can access your information.
On the app, you can check your savings and interest rates, view other Atom products and apply for them, and review any mortgage repayments you have made to see when and how you need to pay it back.
There are also a few more features, including a company blog, security videos, and a daily quote for inspiration.
Savings and loans
Savings accounts are the main feature of Atom Bank, and there is a range of Fixed Savers accounts available at competitive interest rates, which are clearly laid out online.
Amounts start at £1,000 and the more you save, the higher the interest rate paid to you. No withdrawals are allowed at all until the account has matured. The savings period ranges from three months to five years.
Atom bank offers loans to Limited companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) Partnerships, and Sole traders. The prices are transparent, and decisions are made in days.
Conclusion
Atom kicked off a new banking service style and does what it does well, with great savings accounts and mortgages offers available. Still, it lacks some of the features that most people rely on, such as a current account, so that it won’t replace your regular bank, for now at least.