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Charter Savings Bank is a specialist savings bank based in Kidderminster that offers fixed-rate and easy-access savings accounts. It applies a probate threshold of approximately £15,000. Below this amount, Charter Savings Bank will generally release funds using a small-estate indemnity rather than requiring a full grant of probate. Above £15,000, probate is required.
Charter Savings Bank applies a probate threshold of approximately £15,000 across all savings accounts held with them. Where the total balance is below this figure, the bank can release funds using a small-estate indemnity — the executor or administrator signs a declaration of entitlement, and Charter Savings Bank releases the funds without requiring the full grant of probate.
If the total exceeds £15,000, Charter Savings Bank will require a sealed grant of probate or letters of administration before releasing any funds. As a savings-only bank, estate claims at Charter Savings Bank are typically straightforward — involving one or more fixed-rate or easy-access savings accounts. For broader context on how probate thresholds compare, see our guide to the 2026–27 UK probate threshold.
For estates below £15,000:
For estates above £15,000:
Our guide to documents needed for probate and the estate administration checklist will help you track the paperwork across multiple institutions.
Charter Savings Bank can be contacted through the following channels:
Charter Savings Bank will freeze accounts upon receiving notification of the death and advise on the next steps. For guidance on notifying multiple institutions, see our guide on notifying banks after a death.
As of 2026, Charter Savings Bank does not participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You will need to contact Charter Savings Bank directly and separately from any DNS submissions you make for other financial institutions. Charter Savings Bank is also not covered by the government's Tell Us Once service.
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Charter Savings Bank does not currently participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). This means that if the estate has an inheritance tax liability, the executor will need to fund the IHT payment from other sources before applying for probate. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest covers the risks of delayed payment, and our 2026–27 inheritance tax guide sets out the current rates and allowances.
For estates below the £15,000 threshold, Charter Savings Bank typically processes claims within two to four weeks of receiving the required documents. For larger estates requiring probate, processing begins once the sealed grant is received — adding the typical three to six months to obtain probate gives you the full timeline.
Our complete UK probate guide for 2026 covers the full estate administration timeline in detail.
Where the total Charter Savings Bank balance is below approximately £15,000, the bank uses a small-estate indemnity to release funds without requiring the full probate grant. As a savings-only bank, estates at Charter Savings Bank typically involve a single fixed-rate bond or easy-access account — making the process more straightforward than at banks with multiple account types.
Check whether other institutions in the estate also require probate before deciding whether to apply. Our guide on when you don't need probate covers the key scenarios. If probate is needed, our DIY probate vs solicitor cost comparison can help you decide on the best approach.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back — usually because executors didn't know what they didn't know.
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