All in One Money Management App for Banking, Budgeting, Saving, Borrowing, Investing and more. Track all your bank accounts in one place: Connect more than 30+ banks in the UK to see where your money goes. Start saving with Emma Pots: Earn up to 3.72% AER when opening an Easy Access Pot (FSCS protected). Get cashback at more than 500+ retailers across the UK. Pay anyone instantly: Send and request money by sending payment links or QR codes. Move money across multiple banks, split a purchase, or top up your investment account in seconds. Invest in over 1,000 US stocks (low minimum investment £1), Capital at risk. Personal loan available: Emma Borrow can help you improve your credit history or find credit from a panel of over 60 lenders. Credit cards comparison service: Find the best credit card deals without affecting your credit score. Get a standard Emma Plan for free: Join 1.6 million people working towards a better financial life. Other plans available with enhanced features with extra associated costs
SPECIAL OFFER - Switch to a 1st Account and get £175*. Requires credit check. New customers only and T&Cs apply. Within 45 days of your account opening you need to: switch to first direct using the Current Account Switch Service (including at least 2 Direct Debits or standing orders), deposit £1,000, make 5+ debit card payments, and log on to digital banking. New customers only, who haven’t previously held a first direct product. first direct also can’t offer this to people who have opened an HSBC current account on or after 1 January 2018. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Subject to status. UK residents only
Why we like it
Get access to a Regular Saver Account - Put away between £25 and £300 for a fixed 12 month term. If you save £300 every month for 12 months and qualify for the 7.00% AER/gross p.a. interest rate, you'll earn approximately £136.50 interest (gross). Interest is calculated daily and paid 12 months after you opened the account. AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. This shows you what the rate would be if interest were paid and compounded each year. Gross is the rate of interest if interest were paid and not compounded each year. No partial withdrawals allowed. Early closure will result in interest being paid at the standard account variable rate. £250 interest-free overdraft (subject to status). No minimum monthly funding and no monthly account fee. No first direct fees for when spending abroad, withdrawing cash from the UK or when making a debit card payment in a foreign currency in the UK. Mobile banking app. UK based contact centre. Representative Example: How does our overdraft compare? The representative APR shows the cost of borrowing over a year, so you can use it to compare the cost of our overdraft against other overdrafts and ways of borrowing. 0% EAR variable on the first £250, 39.9% EAR variable thereafter, giving a representative rate of 30.5% APR variable (assumed arranged overdraft £1,200). For customers with an offset mortgage linked to a 1st Account, the interest-free limit will not apply
NatWest Select Account - an everyday current account. Great money management tools with NatWest’s mobile banking app. Criteria Apply. No monthly fee. You need to be 18+ and a UK resident. How does NatWest’s overdraft compare? A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year. Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200. Access to Digital Regular Saver – Deposit £1-£150p per month. Earn 5.50% / 5.37% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) interest on the first £5k saved and 1.06%/1.05% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) on anything over £5k. Other Savings products are available with a NatWest Current Account. Interest paid monthly. Eligibility criteria apply.
Royal Bank of Scotland Select Account - an everyday current account. Great money management tools with Royal Bank of Scotland's mobile banking app. Criteria Apply. No monthly fee. You need to be 18+ and a UK resident. How does NatWest’s overdraft compare? A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year. Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200. Access to Digital Regular Saver – Deposit £1-£150p per month. Earn 5.50% / 5.37% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) interest on the first £5k saved and 1.06%/1.05% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) on anything over £5k. Other Savings products are available with a Royal Bank of Scotland Current Account. Interest paid monthly. Eligibility criteria apply.
Details
Interest Paid
18
Maximum Balance
Yes
Minimum Age
UK Resident
Everyday Current Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Everyday Current Account*
Open With £1
Account TypeCurrent Account
Everyday Current AccountSantander
Open With £1
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Everyday Current Account*
Get a £200 welcome when you switch your current account using the Current Account Switch Service*
Why we like it
No minimum monthly funding or monthly fee to maintain the account. Access to Santander Regular Saver with 5.00% AER/Gross (fixed) for 12 months. Save up to £200 per month. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other offers personalised to you when you use Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). 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. 39.94% EAR overdraft charge. *For switch offer, open a Santander Everyday current account, request a switch before Santander remove the offer. Make sure the details you give are correct and match those at your old bank. Complete the switch within 60 days of your request, have at least 2 active selected household Direct Debits and pay in £1,500. Not available if you held a Santander current account on 1 January 2025. Or if you have received a Santander switcher incentive before. Offer may end at any time. Terms and conditions apply
NatWest Reward Account. Earn from 1% back when you spend with selected partners, plus up to £5/month back in Rewards. T&Cs and eligibility criteria apply. £2/ month. You must be 18+ and a UK resident. You must pay in £1,250 each month. Earn £5/month back in Rewards: £2 for 2 direct debits of +£2 each, and £1 for monthly app log in. Earn 1% back in Rewards when you spend with selected partners. How does NatWest’s overdraft compare? A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year. Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200. Access to Digital Regular Saver – Deposit £1-£150p per month. Earn 5.50% / 5.37% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) interest on the first £5k saved and 1.06%/1.05% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) on anything over £5k. Other Savings products are available with a NatWest Current Account. Interest paid monthly. Eligibility criteria apply.
Royal Bank of Scotland Reward Account. Earn from 1% back when you spend with selected partners, plus up to £5/month back in Rewards. T&Cs and eligibility criteria apply. £2/ month. You must be 18+ and a UK resident. You must pay in £1,250 each month. Earn £5/month back in Rewards: £2 for 2 direct debits of +£2 each, and £1 for monthly app log in. Earn 1% back in Rewards when you spend with selected partners. How does Royal Bank of Scotland's overdraft compare? A good way to compare the costs of borrowing products is by using the APR, which shows the cost of borrowing over a year. Representative Example: Effective Annual Rate: 39.49% EAR (variable). Representative APR: 39.49% APR (variable). Assumed credit limit: £1,200. Access to Digital Regular Saver – Deposit £1-£150p per month. Earn 5.50% / 5.37% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) interest on the first £5k saved and 1.06%/1.05% AER/Gross p.a. (variable) on anything over £5k. Other Savings products are available with a Royal Bank of Scotland Current Account. Interest paid monthly. Eligibility criteria apply.
Details
Interest Paid
18
Maximum Balance
Yes
Minimum Age
UK Resident
Edge Current Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Current Account*
Open With £500
Account TypeCurrent Account
Edge Current AccountSantander
Open With £500
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Current Account*
Get a £200 welcome when you switch your current account using the Current Account Switch Service*
Why we like it
Earn 1% cashback every month on selected household bills paid by Direct Debit, capped at up to £10 each month. Access to Santander Edge saver with 6.00% AER/ 5.84% Gross (variable) interests on balances up to £4000 (includes 2.50% AER/ 2.47% Gross (variable) bonus rates for the first 12 months from opening). Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and other personalised offers when you use Santander Boosts (must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). No fees or charges for international payments or CHAPS payments. Arranged overdraft interest rate of 39.94% APR/EAR (variable). For cashback offer you must pay a minimum of £500 into your account each month, have 2 active Direct Debits, be over 18 and live in the UK permanently. Paper-free account. £3 monthly fee. *For switch offer, open a Santander Edge current account, request a switch before Santander remove the offer. Make sure the details you give are correct and match those at your old bank. Complete the switch within 60 days of your request, have at least 2 active selected household Direct Debits and pay in £1,500. Not available if you held a Santander current account on 1 January 2025. Or if you have received a Santander switcher incentive before. Offer may end at any time. Terms and conditions apply
Details
Interest Paid
18
Maximum Balance
Yes
Minimum Age
UK Resident
Edge Up Current Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Up Current Account*
Open With £1500
Account TypeCurrent Account
Edge Up Current AccountSantander
Open With £1500
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Up Current Account*
Get a £200 welcome when you switch your current account using the Current Account Switch Service*
Why we like it
2.10% AER/2.08% gross (variable) on balances up to £25,000. 1% cashback (up to £15 a month) on selected household bills when you pay by Direct Debit. Access to Santander Regular Saver with 5.00% AER/Gross (fixed) for 12 months. Save up to £200 per month. Make international payments with no extra fees (the bank receiving the payment may still apply charges). There's also no charge for making CHAPS payments from this account. No fees for using Santander Edge Up debit card to withdraw cash and make payments outside the UK in the local currency. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws and personalised offers with Santander Boosts , free rewards service. Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts. £5 monthly fee for maintaining the account that will automatically be taken from the account each month. Must pay a minimum of £1,500 into the account each month. Must have 2 active Direct Debits. Arranged overdraft facility (subject to status). If you use an arranged overdraft you’ll be charged an interest rate of 39.94% APR / EAR (variable). Online and Mobile Banking available with text and email alerts. *For switch offer, open a Santander Edge Up current account, request a switch before Santander remove the offer. Make sure the details you give are correct and match those at your old bank. Complete the switch within 60 days of your request, have at least 2 active selected household Direct Debits and pay in £1,500. Not available if you held a Santander current account on 1 January 2025. Or if you have received a Santander switcher incentive before. Offer may end at any time. Terms and conditions apply
Details
Interest Paid
18
Maximum Balance
Yes
Minimum Age
UK Resident
Edge Explorer Current Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Explorer Current Account*
Open With £0
Account TypeCurrent Account
Edge Explorer Current AccountSantander
Open With £0
Account TypeCurrent Account
FeaturesGet £200 when you switch to a Santander Edge Explorer Current Account*
Get a £200 welcome when you switch your current account using the Current Account Switch Service*
Why we like it
1% cashback on selected household bills (up to £10 a month). Plus 1% cashback at supermarkets and on travel costs (up to £10 a month). Worldwide travel insurance (excluding Cuba) for you and your family including winter sports. 24/7 remote access to a GP in the UK for you and your family. UK and European breakdown cover - whether you're the driver or passenger. Mobile phone insurance - cover for you and your family. Access to Santander Edge® Saver with 6.00% AER / 5.84% gross (variable) interest on balances up to £4,000 (includes 2.00% AER / 1.98% gross (variable) bonus rate for the first 12 months from opening). International payments with no extra fees (the bank receiving the payment might still apply charges). No charge for making CHAPS payments from this account. No Santander fees for using your Santander Edge® Explorer debit card to withdraw cash and make payments outside the UK in the local currency. Get cashback, vouchers, prize draws, and other offers personalised for you with Santander Boosts (you must have a personal Santander debit or credit card, be 18 years or over and be registered for Online and Mobile Banking). Arranged overdraft facility (subject to status). If you use an arranged overdraft, you’ll be charged an interest rate of 39.94% APR / EAR (variable). £17 monthly fee. To open an account, you must be 18-73 years old and live in the UK permanently. If it's a joint account, you must both live at the same UK address. Once you're 75 years old, you are no longer eligible for the travel insurance benefits. You can only have 1 Santander Edge® Explorer account at a time. *For switch offer, open a Santander Edge Explorer current account, request a switch before Santander remove the offer. Make sure the details you give are correct and match those at your old bank. Complete the switch within 60 days of your request, have at least 2 active selected household Direct Debits and pay in £1,500. Not available if you held a Santander current account on 1 January 2025. Or if you have received a Santander switcher incentive before. Offer may end at any time. Terms and conditions apply
Although building societies are owned by their members or a mutual organisation, the services they offer to savers are broadly the same as for a bank. You can usually choose from a similar range of financial products whether you open a savings account with a building society or a bank.
If you are looking to save in the short term, or want to build up a nest egg over a longer period, you need to make sure you understand the various options available to you before making a decision.
Current accounts often give the best rates of interest for small amounts.
Getting the best rate may mean shopping around and being willing to switch your account to a different provider. If your savings go over the interest-paying limit, then you are likely to earn nothing on the extra balance.
If you want to be able to access your savings whenever you need them, an instant access account will let you do just that. You can usually draw money out at a cash point and/or in a branch as well as making online and phone transfers. There may, however, be a limit to the number of withdrawals you can make per year.
These accounts work the same as instant access savings accounts, but instead of being able to take your money out straightaway, you may need to wait a few days for withdrawal and transfer requests to be processed.
Please note: some banks refer to instant access accounts as easy access accounts, blurring the distinction between the two.
If you can wait a while when you need to access your savings, a notice account can offer better interest rates. When you want to take money out, you will need to let your building society know in advance. How much notice you have to give will be part of your account agreement.
Notice periods tend to range from 40 to 95 days. However, some may go as high as 120 in some cases. Generally speaking, the longer the notice period, the better the interest rate you will receive.
One of the most common ways to save is to put away a little bit each month, slowly building up to a substantial savings pot. Regular savings accounts are designed for this kind of financial planning and offer good rates of interest if you can commit to depositing a minimum amount each month.
The main disadvantage is that it can take a long time to build up a decent amount of capital, meaning the high interest rate may not earn you much of a return initially. However, if you are aiming for more long term savings, a regular savings account can be a great way to go.
If you like the idea of getting a guaranteed rate of interest for a pre-agreed term, a fixed rate bond offers just that. You agree not to touch the money you place in the bond for a set period (usually between 1 and 5 years) and in exchange you will be offered a favourable interest rate for the life of the bond.
The downside is, if you later decide you need to use your savings, you may not be able to get access to them, or might have to pay a significant penalty for doing so. This means fixed rate bonds are usually a good choice only if you are very sure you won’t need your savings until the bond matures.
ISAs allow UK taxpayers to deposit a set amount each year into a savings account without paying tax on the interest. For the 2017/18 tax year the limit is £20,000.
There are two main types of cash ISAs to choose from – fixed term and instant access. They work in much the same way as fixed term and instant access savings accounts, with fixed term cash ISAs usually offering the better interest rates.
It’s worth noting that cash ISAs do not necessarily give the highest interest rates, so you will need to carefully compare your options to see if the tax savings you stand to make will likely be more than the extra interest you could earn on a different account.
Find the best building society savings account for you
Choosing the best building society savings account for you can be difficult when there are so many different options to choose from. Our comparison tool at the top of the page allows you to contrast the different types of accounts from various providers to find the best fit for your finances. We regularly update our results to reflect the best offers currently on the market, so make sure to keep checking back to see the latest deals.
