Compare Best Buys For Your Money
Best Buys
Why we like it: No minimum monthly funding or monthly fee to maintain the account. Earn up to 15% cashback with Retailer Offers. Stress-free account switching in 7 days with the Current Account Switch Service. £300 ATM withdrawal per day, Arranged Overdraft facility (subject to status). Online and Mobile Banking with text and email alerts. Must be 18 or older and live in the UK permanently. 39.94% EAR overdraft charge. Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000
Why we like it: SPECIAL OFFER - £125 for SWITCHING to an HSBC Advance Account. Earn 1.00% AER/gross when you save between £25 and £250 per month. Arranged overdraft limit of at least £1,000 on account opening. Money banking app. No monthly account fee. Easy switching with the Current Account Switch Service. Must be 18 or older and be UK resident. Must pay in £1,750 per month or £10,500 over 6 months. Must be approved for an arranged overdraft of £1,000+. Get the £125 when switching to an HSBC Advance Account as a new customer with at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders. Offer for new customers only who haven’t held an HSBC current account, or opened a first direct account since 1 January 2018. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply. Offer may be withdrawn anytime
Why we like it: Earn 0.30% AER (variable) interest on balances up to a maximum of £20,000. Up to 3% cashback on household bills - 1% on council tax bills, Mobile and home phone bills, broadband and paid-for TV packages, and Santander monthly mortgage payments. 2% on Gas and electricity bills, Santander Home Insurance premiums and Santander Life Insurance premiums, and 3% on water bills. Monthly fee of £4. Cashback capped at £5 for each cashback tier each month. Must pay in £500 pm. Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000
Why we like it: Save from £5,000 to £500,000. No additional deposits or withdrawals permitted. FSCS Protected
Why we like it: MARKET LEADING. Save from £5,000 to £500,000. No additional deposits or withdrawals permitted. FSCS Protected
Why we like it: MARKET LEADING. Save from £5,000 to £500,000. No additional deposits or withdrawals permitted. FSCS Protected
Why we like it: Which? Recommended Savings Provider. No notice period. Deposit from £100. Interest paid monthly or annually. Apply in minutes. Your eligible deposits with RCI Bank UK Limited are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services. Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Market Leading. Balances from £1,000 to £1 million. Unlimited withdrawals without restriction or loss of interest. Eligible deposits covered by UK FSCS.
Why we like it: Unlimited withdrawals subject to 95 days notice.
Why we like it: Which? Recommended Savings Provider. Save from £1,000 to £1,000,000. No withdrawals before the end of the term. Your eligible deposits with RCI Bank UK Limited are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Which? Recommended Savings Provider. Save from £1,000 to £1,000,000. No withdrawals before the end of the term. Your eligible deposits with RCI Bank UK Limited are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Free current account. Pays 0.05% AER interest on balances up to £85,000. Get set up in minutes. Send money abroad: Fast and secure money transfers to bank accounts in 38 countries worldwide. No fees when you pay with your card abroad or withdraw money. Get a spotlight on your spending: See what you’ve spent instantly with real-time payment notifications. 3 month interest holiday on the first £500 of an arranged overdraft. Best British Bank and Best Current Account in 2020 at the British Bank Awards. Awarded 5 stars by Defaqto. Bank is registered with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so any money you keep will be fully protected, up to £85,000
Instant Access Best Buys
RCI Bank »
RCI Bank offers a competitive instant access savings account.
- 0.40% AER/Gross pa (variable) interest rate
- Interest is paid monthly or annually
- Withdrawals - Unlimited & no penalties
- Online account
- Minimum deposit - £100
- FSCS Protected
Quick online application setup from RCI Bank
Aldermore Bank »
Aldermore Bank also offer an instant access account.
- 0.30% AER/Gross pa (variable) interest rate
- Interest is paid monthly
- Unlimited payments and withdrawals
- Online account
- Minimum deposit - £1,000
- FSCS Protected
Quick online application setup from Aldermore
Fixed Rate Best Buys
Access Bank 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond »
- Fixed 1 Year 0.55% at time of writing
- Interest paid annually
- Open online
- Minimum deposit - £5,000
- FSCS Protected up to £85,000
Quick online application from Access Bank
Access Bank 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond »
- Fixed 2 Year 0.70% at time of writing
- Interest paid annually
- Open online
- Minimum deposit - £5,000
- FSCS Protected up to £85,000
Quick online application from Access Bank
Access Bank 3 Year Fixed Rate Bond »
- Fixed 3 Year 0.80% at time of writing
- Interest paid annually
- Open online
- Minimum deposit - £5,000
- FSCS Protected up to £85,000
Quick online application from Access Bank
High Interest Current Account
Santander 123 Account »
Whilst general interest rates are low some banks and building societies are offering high interest current accounts as an alternative. Santander's 123 Current Account offers a rate of 0.30% AER for savings.
- Fixed interest on balances up to £20,000 - 0.30% AER
- £4 monthly fee
- Up to 3% cashback on household bills
- Must pay in £500 per month
- FSCS Protected
For more information and to apply for Santander 123 Account
HSBC Advance Current Account »
Get £125 for switching, and then earn 1.00% AER/gross on a regular savings account
- £125 when switching to an HSBC Advance Account as a new customer
- 1.00% AER/gross available to HSBC Advance customers who open a new Regular Saver account, saving between £25 and £250 per month
- No monthly fee
- Arranged overdraft limit of at least £1,000 on account opening
- Money banking app
- FSCS Protected
For more information and to apply for HSBC Advance Current Account
Santander 123 Account »
Whilst general interest rates are low some banks and building societies are offering high interest current accounts as an alternative. Santander's 123 Current Account offers a rate of 0.60% AER for savings.
- Fixed interest on balances up to £20,000 - 0.60% AER
- £5 monthly fee
- Up to 3% cashback on household bills
- Must pay in £500 per month
- FSCS Protected
For more information and to apply for Santander 123 Account
With UK savings rates at an all time low, you need to take action to ensure your savings are getting the best interest deal possible.
Many savings accounts' interest rates are below inflation, which means people's savings are being eroded in real terms. While there are many savings accounts on the market, many do not offer much of a financial advantage, as they offer interest that only matches the base rate set by the Bank of England. We help you compare a selection of some of the best interest paying accounts.
A good instant access savings account will offer flexible withdrawal facilities with good rates of interest, and could be suited to savers looking to access their money regularly.
See here for a comparison of leading UK instant access accounts