Almost three times as many customers are opening a “back to basics” account which cannot be accessed online than any other type of easy-access savings account, according to Yorkshire Building Society The Bradford-based company says its Triple Access Saver account is defying an era of internet banking, with customers choosing to use a passbook to keep on top of their transactions.

The building society launched the account a year ago and says customers have been attracted by its “no nonsense” terms.

Mike Helliwell, Yorkshire’s savings product manager, said: “This time last year there was some scepticism in the media about whether – in the age of internet banking – savers really wanted a simple, traditional passbook account.

“The fact that Triple Access Saver has been our most popular savings account since its launch speaks for itself – customers appreciate the straightforward terms, ease of use and an attractive, competitive rate without any introductory bonus for a limited period.”

The building society, which has more than 3.3 million members, said its research found that more than three in five customers preferred visiting their local branch as their main way of managing their savings, mainly due to customer service and convenience.

Researchers also said that more than half of the society’s customers prefer to use a passbook to track their transactions and almost 70 per cent of those surveyed preferred a branch-based account with a competitive variable rate.

Louise Holmes, spokesman for comparison website Moneyfacts, said: “The launch of this account from Yorkshire Building Society demonstrates that they are listening to their customers’ needs.”