UK savers are being told to act fast if they want to snag one of the best deals on offer, with some top savings accounts paying up to 4.5% interest.
As the Bank of England's pre-Christmas interest rate cut took effect, many savings rates were slashed, leaving some experts warning that the era of high returns is coming to an end. However, it appears that some top savings accounts have bucked this trend, with several one-year fixed-rate bonds and easy-access accounts still offering attractive rates.
The latest data shows that over 1,400 savings accounts are now available that beat inflation, with half of these being fixed-rate bonds. This means that savers can lock in a rate for a year or more, protecting themselves from any future interest rate cuts.
However, those looking to secure the best deals need to act quickly. The top rate on a one-year fixed-rate bond recently dropped off a deal offered by Marcus, a banking brand operated by Goldman Sachs, after only 48 hours. Savers who failed to grab this offer were left missing out.
Current top picks include a one-year fixed-rate bond paying 4.35% from Meteor in conjunction with OakNorth Bank, and another offering 4.23% from OakNorth Bank itself. For those looking to withdraw their money, easy-access savings accounts are also available at rates of over 4%.
It's worth noting that some savers may prefer to lock in a rate for two years or more, as they believe this will protect them from future interest rate cuts. This week saw several two-year bonds become available with rates of over 4.1%, including options from Shawbrook Bank and Investec.
Financial experts are warning that inflation is eroding the real value of savings returns, making it essential for savers to find competitive deals as quickly as possible.
As the Bank of England's pre-Christmas interest rate cut took effect, many savings rates were slashed, leaving some experts warning that the era of high returns is coming to an end. However, it appears that some top savings accounts have bucked this trend, with several one-year fixed-rate bonds and easy-access accounts still offering attractive rates.
The latest data shows that over 1,400 savings accounts are now available that beat inflation, with half of these being fixed-rate bonds. This means that savers can lock in a rate for a year or more, protecting themselves from any future interest rate cuts.
However, those looking to secure the best deals need to act quickly. The top rate on a one-year fixed-rate bond recently dropped off a deal offered by Marcus, a banking brand operated by Goldman Sachs, after only 48 hours. Savers who failed to grab this offer were left missing out.
Current top picks include a one-year fixed-rate bond paying 4.35% from Meteor in conjunction with OakNorth Bank, and another offering 4.23% from OakNorth Bank itself. For those looking to withdraw their money, easy-access savings accounts are also available at rates of over 4%.
It's worth noting that some savers may prefer to lock in a rate for two years or more, as they believe this will protect them from future interest rate cuts. This week saw several two-year bonds become available with rates of over 4.1%, including options from Shawbrook Bank and Investec.
Financial experts are warning that inflation is eroding the real value of savings returns, making it essential for savers to find competitive deals as quickly as possible.