This comparison simply includes all savings accounts.
Best Savings Accounts Without Instant Access
Why we like it: Tiered interest: £1 to £10,000 – 1.10% Gross/AER, £10,001 to £50,000 – 1.33% Gross/AER, £50,001 to £500,000 – 1.38% 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. Open in a single or a joint name. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2021. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older. No withdrawals permitted
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: 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: SPECIAL OFFER - Get £150 when you switch to a First Direct 1st Account, or if you're not ready to switch £20 welcome when you open a current account. You also get access to a 3.5% AER/gross fixed for 12 months Regular Saver Account if saving between £25 and £300 a month (up to £3,600 per year). £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status). No minimum monthly funding and no monthly account fee. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. For the £150 switching cash offer you need to open a 1st Account, switch your everyday banking to us using the Current Account Switch Service and pay in at least £1,000 within three months of opening the account. To get the £20 welcome cash offer you need to open a 1st Account and log into our app / online banking within three months of opening the account. This offer can’t be added to any other joiner or switcher offer
Why we like it: Earn 0.75% 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: Save from £5,000 to £500,000. No additional deposits or withdrawals permitted. FSCS Protected
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: Unlimited payments and withdrawals. Interest paid annually. Open in a single or a joint name. Maximum deposit £250,000. FSCS Protected. Winner of Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award in 2021. Must be UK resident and be aged 18 or older
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 monthly. Maximum deposit £85,000. FSCS Protected. Must be UK resident and aged 18 or older.
Why we like it: 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 Have A Savings Account Without Instant Access?
The issue with instant access accounts is that often their interest rate drops after the first year or they have a maximum balance over which you cannot earn interest. For more significant savings, fixed rate bonds may be more appropriate. Fixed rate bonds allow you to access higher rates of interest in exchange for restricted access. Typically, fixed rate bonds run for 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or 5 years. Normally, longer fixed rate bonds offer the highest interest.
Although the majority of banks require you to leave your savings in the bond for the duration of the term, there are some banks that are prepared to provide access to your savings.
Fixed Rate Bond Options:
-1 Year Fixed Rate Bond:
1 year fixed rate bonds ensure your money is only locked away for a relatively short period of time. You can earn a return and maintain the value of your funds relative to inflation while still giving you access to your money when you need it.
If you are not planning on using your money in the near future, you may want to consider 2 year, 3 year or 5 year fixed rate bonds as these provide a better rate of interest. However, these longer term bonds will increase the length of time during which you cannot access your savings.
-2 Year Fixed Rate Bond:
2 year fixed rate bonds are great if you don’t immediately need access to your savings, but want to keep your options open for the not too distant future. They allow you to earn a good rate of interest on your savings and help maintain the value of your money relative to inflation.
-3 Year Fixed Rate Bond:
A 3 year fixed rate bond is a good idea if you are certain you will not need access to your funds any time soon. They usually offer attractive rates of interest and help your savings to retain their value relative to inflation.
-5 Year Fixed Rate Bond:
5 year fixed rate bonds are aimed at customers who have no immediate need for their savings and generally offer much better rates of interest than shorter term bonds. They are also a great way to maintain the value of your savings relative to inflation.
Written notice
Depending on the bank, you may be able to withdraw your money from a fixed rate bond with written notice. You often have to wait a certain number of days to receive it, typically 30 to 40 days. It should be noted that a withdrawal from a fixed rate bond will usually result in a charge, which will vary from bank to bank.
