This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.
RBS Fixed Rate ISA
Why we like it: SPECIAL OFFER - Get £170 when you switch to an HSBC Advance Bank 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+. For £170 Switch Offer: Switch using Current Account Switching Service with 2+ Direct Debits/standing orders within 30 days and pay £1,500k+ into account within 60 days. Once eligible, HSBC will pay £170 into your account within 30 days. Offer excludes customers who’ve held an HSBC/opened a first direct current account since 1/1/19
Why we like it: Earn 0.50% 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: 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. Voted best British Bank and Best Current Account 2018 - 2021 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
Why we like it: Interest paid on maturity. Automatic repayment to your linked account. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Must have a UK residential address and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted. Can’t have held an Investec Online Flexi Saver or Fixed Rate Saver in the last 12 months
Why we like it: Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a £25 cash bonus for deposits of £10,000 or more. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
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: Register for a free Raisin UK Account to apply for product and receive a £30 cash bonus for deposits of £10,000 or more. Interest paid on maturity. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
Why we like it: Instant access to your savings. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Interest paid monthly, either to a linked current account, or adding it to your Online Flexi Saver account. Easy application process, you just need a UK mobile phone and UK driving licence or passport. Manage account online. Maximum balance £250,000. Must be aged 18 or older and have a UK address. Must have a linked UK current account. Your eligible deposits with Investec Bank are protected up to a total of £85,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Why we like it: Make up to three withdrawals during the 12-month term of this account. Open with £1. Manage your account online. Interest paid at maturity. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Make more than three withdrawals and the rate drops to 0.01% AER/gross p.a. (variable). Not available in branch
Why we like it: Tiered interest: £1 to £10,000 – 0.60% Gross/AER, £10,001 to £50,000 – 0.77% Gross/AER, £50,001 to £500,000 – 0.82% Gross/AER. Unlimited payments and withdrawals. Interest paid annually. Open in a single or a joint name. Maximum deposit £500,000. Open and manage account online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident. Must be aged 16 or older
Why we like it: Interest paid annually. Unlimited deposits and withdrawals. Open and manage online. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
Why we like it: Make up to three withdrawals during the 12-month term of this account. Open with £1. Manage your account online. Interest paid at maturity. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 16 or older. Make more than three withdrawals and the rate drops to 0.01% AER/gross p.a. (variable). Not available in branch
RBS Fixed Rate ISA
An ISA is a tax efficient way to save and stands for Individual Savings Account. An ISA lets you pay little or no tax on the interest your savings and investments making them a popular choice for saving large amounts of money.
They have become less popular since the new PSA (Personal Savings Allowance) has allowed lower rate tax payers to save up to £1000 tax-free and higher rate tax payers up to £500. As many current accounts are now offering competitive rates of interest, many people are moving away from ISAs.
Why use an ISA?
As your tax-free amount is much higher in an ISA, there are still opportunities for savers to make the most of their money.
Paying into an ISA is called ‘subscribing’. You can subscribe to one of each type of ISA each tax year, providing you do not subscribe more than your annual ISA allowance. For the 2017/2018 tax year that runs from 6th April 2017 to 5th April 2018 your annual ISA allowance is £20,000.
ISAs are a good idea whatever your savings goal. With certain types of cash ISAs, you have instant access to your money, which makes it a flexible way to plan your finances.
It’s also important to remember that ISA allowance limits apply to everyone on an individual basis, so if you’re married or in a relationship, you can both hold your own ISA, each with the full allowance.
What do RBS offer?
RBS offer two kinds of tax-free ISA. Their Fixed Rate ISA and their Instant Cash ISA. Their Fixed Rate ISA allows you to:
- Have a fixed interest rate on your cash ISA so you know in advance what your savings will earn
- Choose a term that suit you, either one or two years
- Keep all the interest - which helps your savings grow faster
- Make transfers into your ISA, so you can bring all your ISAs together in one place
You will earn a higher rate of interest on the two year plan and for any amount above £25,000.
Useful to Know
As this is a fixed rate ISA, you cannot withdraw your money during the agreed term. If you do choose to withdraw your money, then you will incur an early closure charge. They offer both one year and two year terms, so be sure to pick one that’s right for you. Also:
- The minimum deposit is £1,000
- The early closure charge is the lower of the amount of interest earned on your account in 90 days
- You will need your National Insurance Number to apply for any ISA
RBS is one of the few banks that offer a fixed rate ISA for one year, as many offer a two year minimum and some up to five year minimums. For many people this time frame isn’t convenient and so RBS are offering an easy way for savers to take the plunge and begin their savings.
However, they do not currently offer the highest rate of interest on the market.
