Compare Savings Accounts

The base rate may still be at a record low but shrewd savers can still make the most out of their money. You can compare the best savings accounts in 2012 using the table below or choose a product type to compare in more detail.

Choose a type of savings account to compare from the list below

Popular savings accounts

Account Interest (AER)

The account’s Annual Equivalent Rate: shows the interest you will earn over a year as a percentage. If interest is paid monthly, this rate will be higher than the gross interest rate (as the interest will be compounded).

Interest Paid

This shows how often the interest is calculated and paid.

Account
Type / Term

Type of savings account and length of account term (if applicable).

Account Access

Online - Access via internet banking.
Telephone - Access via telephone banking.
Branch - Access via your local branch.
Post - Postal access.

Min / Max
Balance

Some accounts have minimum and maximum balances. If the account holder’s balance falls outside these limits they may be subject to interest penalties or account closure.

Chelsea Building Society
Fixed Rate e-ISA
3.20% YearlyCash ISA / Fixed until 31st May 2013OnlineTelephoneBranchPost£100 -
£5,640
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment£100
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age16
ING Direct
Savings Account
Open an Account in as little as 10 minutes!
3.10%
  • AER Includes Bonus
  • 2.56% gross p.a. bonus fixed for 12 months from account opening
Monthly Easy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£1,000,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment£1
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age18
Derbyshire Building Society
NetSaver (Issue 3)
3.06%
  • AER Includes Bonus
  • 2.45% gross p.a. bonus fixed for 12 months from account opening
YearlyEasy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1,000 -
£5,000,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age16
Existing CustomerNo
Post Office
Online Saver
Unlimited free withdrawals
3.01%
  • AER Includes Bonus
  • 3.01% AER includes 1.36% gross bonus applied to account for first 12 months
Monthly / YearlyEasy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£2,000,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment£1
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age18
ING Direct
Cash ISA
3.00% Monthly Easy Access Cash ISAOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£5,640
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age18
Existing CustomerYes
Virgin Money
Easy Access Cash E-ISA
No introductory bonus rate or withdrawal restrictions
2.85% Monthly / YearlyInstant Access Cash ISAOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£2,000,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment£1
Minimum Age16
Virgin Money
Easy Access E-Saver (Issue 2)
No introductory bonus rate or withdrawal restrictions
2.60% Monthly / YearlyEasy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£100,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment1
Minimum Age16
Barnsley Building Society
Online Saver
2.50% Monthly / YearlyEasy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£1 -
£1,000,000
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Minimum Investment£1
Permanent UK Residentyes
Minimum Age16
Lloyds TSB
eSavings
Only available to Lloyds current account customers
2.50%
  • AER dependent on balance
  • £1+ = 1.60%
  • £10k+ = 2.50%
  • AER includes bonus
  • Fixed introductory bonus of 1.50% AER on all tiers for the first 12 months
YearlyEasy AccessOnlineTelephoneBranchPost£10,000 -
No limit
MORE INFO
Read this before you proceed.
IMPORTANT: You must open or currently have a Lloyds TSB Current Account to open this Savings Account.
To qualify for this product you need to meet the following criteria.
Permanent UK ResidentYes
Minimum Age16
Existing CustomerYes

asteriskAccounts with an asterisk next to the AER interest have a bonus applied to the interest rate, place your mouse cursor over the asterisk to view the bonus.

More about savings accounts

Long gone are the days of stashing cash under the mattress when saving up for a rainy day.

These days, the high street banks and building societies offer a range of different accounts to suit all of your savings needs, whether that's putting away a lump sum, regular instalments, or just a bit here and there.

You can choose to access your money whenever you like or tie it up for a period of time to get a higher interest rate. You can also choose to keep your money safe or to speculate on the stock market. Beware though, with the latter option, you stand to lose as well as gain.

When you're comparing different accounts, the AER - or Annual Equivalent Rate - is the yearly interest rate percentage that you receive. Interest rates are usually calculated on a daily basis and your return is generated pro rata, meaning if you have some money in the account for a whole year and some for just six months, the two amounts will accrue interest separately.

Both fixed and variable interest rates are available.

The interest you receive on a savings account is subject to tax, just like any other money you earn, using the same calculation scale. So if you're a high earner you'll pay more tax on your interest. The tax is taken off automatically when your interest is paid. ISA stands for Independent Savings Account - in these types of accounts tax isn't payable, but you can only pay in a certain amount each year.

Read Know Your Money's savings accounts guide.