This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.
Post Office Current Account
Why we like it: 5.00% interest for 12 months on balances up to £2,500 for the first year. You must pay in £1,000 or more each month to receive interest (excluding transfers from any Nationwide account held by you or anyone else). 12 month fee-free arranged overdraft available. No monthly fee. Recommend a friend - If you're a Nationwide member you can earn up to £500 per tax year by recommending five friends (£100 each). Access to Flexclusives - Select Credit Card and low personal loan rate. 3.0% APR Representative. Must be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Earn 1.50% AER (variable) interest on balances up to a maximum of £20,000. Up to 3% CASHBACK on various household bills. Monthly fee of £5. Must pay in £500 pm.
Why we like it: 0.50% AER (variable) payable on your entire balance up to £2,000. Linked to instant access savings account currently paying 1.00% AER, paid quarterly. Zero transaction fees wherever you spend worldwide (arranged and un-arranged lending, other providers & other fees and interest may still apply). Apple Pay & Google Pay enabled contactless debit card. Rated ‘outstanding’ by Moneyfacts. Must be 18 or older and a UK resident. No account fee. No minimum funding required to open account or requirement to pay in regularly
Why we like it: UK & Europe Breakdown Cover, Worldwide family travel and mobile phone insurance, and commission-free cash withdrawals and card payments abroad. Free mobile banking app, text alerts and secure online banking. Recommend a friend - If you're a Nationwide member you can earn up to £500 per tax year by recommending five friends (£100 each). Access to Flexclusives - Select Credit Card and low personal loan rate. £13 monthly account fee
Why we like it: Everyday current accout. No monthly account fee. Recommend a friend - If you're a Nationwide member you can earn up to £500 per tax year by recommending five friends (£100 each). Access to Flexclusives - Select Credit Card and low personal loan rate. 3.0% APR Representative (terms and conditions apply)
Post Office Account
The Standard Account is a straightforward current account that offers free everyday banking with no hidden charges. The Post Office offers the usual necessities of a current account, such as:
- Visa debit card with contactless payments and a cheque book
- A competitive overdraft 14.6% EAR
- Management of your account online, in-branch, over the phone and by mobile
- Setting up Direct Debits and payments
The Post Office is also offering a basic account, called Control which is aimed at people who have previously had trouble with hefty overdraft charges or are trying to stay in control of their finances. It comes with a full banking service, including a debit card.
Control can protect account holders from unexpected bank charges and from accidentally going overdrawn but costs £5 a month. Some other banks offer this service for free so it's worth checking if there might be a better option.
The standard account is for those who want something straightforward and free, provided you stay in credit. You get a debit card and can request a chequebook and apply for an overdraft. You can bank in the standard ways, such as: online, at cashpoints ,on the phone or over the counter.
Overdraft
The Post Office overdraft has a great overdraft option. They maintain that their accounts have a simple overdraft structure with a competitive overdraft interest rate. Rather than having a range of overdraft fees and charges the Post Office has chosen to launch a simple charging structure, with authorised overdrafts costing 14.9% EAR. They don’t have any unauthorised overdraft charges and only charge a £15 fee for payments that are rejected.
On their website they give the representative example: ‘Based on an overdraft limit of £1,200 used in full for a one month period where the variable rate of interest is currently 13.72% per annum, the total charge for credit would be £13.72.’
The Post Office account is has the advantage of a huge network of more than 11,500 branches which is more than all the main UK banks combined. This means you should always be able to find a branch local to you which is very convenient especially for those living in more rural areas.
Overall this is a great standard account with an attractive overdraft rate and plenty of branches. It does not provide interest on your money however, which could be an issue for savers.
