<prompt> Human: The situation:My partner and I have a high risk savings account, which we signed into a 5 year contract as we didnt think wed need the cash any time soon. After about 2 years in we realised that maybe we could do with a little help and went to get some money out of the account. At the time the bank manager who was dealing with us said it shouldnt be a problem at all and it should take a couple of days to come through. At that point were expecting cash to be transferred into our current accounts in a few days, but as we needed it sooner we asked a close friend to lend us some money for a couple days. The day comes when were expecting our savings and it hasnt shown in our accounts. We go back to speak to the manager and he says hell look into it as it should be there. Few days on and we receive a call from another person from the bank apologising that we cannot receive any of our savings because of a No early release clause in the contract. At this point we are very angry as we were told it would be in our accounts and the fact weve borrowed money from a close friend we assured would be paid back within days. All we are told are they are very sorry and that the manager has been released from his job for incompetence. Move on 10 months and we are in a situation again when we could do with some of our savings and go back and see what we can do at the bank. This time a different bank manager understands what has happened previously and understands we cant take any of our savings. He tells us its unlikely anything he can do but to leave it with him as hell try everything he can to help.A week later he calls us back and tells us that he is able to void the original 5 year contract and get us to sign a 3 year contract instead, letting us access the account in 2 months. We agree and go in to sign the paper work. Were then told that once the contract is up that the money should be transferred into our accounts 3 days after.Fast forward 2 months. The day the contract ends we walk into the bank to make sure all is ok and were told 3 days for the transfer to happen. 3 days pass and once again still no money. By this point were both fuming as we really could do with it. We call up and the manager seems to be unsure as to why its hasnt shown and that hell get back to us once he knows. 2 days later we receive a call from another person about the account. Theyre telling us again that we cannot access the account due to the No early release clause. We explain that its passed the end of the contract as we signed for 3 years. But they explain that we have signed for 5 years and that it had never been voided.We explain that we need the money asap and that we had signed paperwork to make the change to a 3 year contract and were promised we would receive our money. But unfortunately the bank are standing by the 5 year contract.Im never one to post but after a few difficult days I decided to search for some help and came across this sub. Sorry its a long read but I was hoping some of you experts from this sub could help us out. Were not sure what we can do to fight against it, we dont know what options we have. Any help and advice would be appreciated.Thanks.  <response>: I would ask for the contract that you signed and see where the no early release clause is. From my understanding, at least in the US is that you have to pay a feepenalty in order to withdraw money. 