Best savings accounts – March 2024

With interest rates frozen for the fourth time, lenders are dropping their rates. Here are the best rates on the market today

Financial crisis concept, empty piggy bank on blue background
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Disclaimer

All the banks we mention are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, meaning up to £85,000 of your savings are protected should a bank go bust. This article may contain affiliate links – when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission* 

If you're looking for the best savings accounts, you can up to 5.2% on an easy-access account which gives you freedom with withdrawals, or earn up to 5.28% if you're prepared to fix for a year

But you will need to act fast as the Bank of England has frozen the base rate for the fourth time, which means savings rates could drop again. We list all the top savings accounts below with details on how to get these rates.  

The best easy-access savings accounts

Cahoot Sunny Day Saver - 5.2% AER
Best easy access a...

<a href="https://www.cahoot.com/products-and-services/cahoot-sunny-day-saver" data-link-merchant="cahoot.com"" target="_blank">Cahoot Sunny Day Saver - 5.2% AER 

This easy-access saver can be opened with just £1. Even though the account has a maximum deposit of £2million, you can only earn 5.2% AER on balances up to £3,000. No interest is earned on any sum above £3,000.

You can choose to have the interest paid annually or monthly. The account can be opened and managed online.   

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ACCOUNTAERMINIMUM DEPOSITWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Ulster Bank Loyalty Saver 5.2%£5,000Open online.
Monument Bank Easy Access Savings 5.11%£25,000Save up to £400,000. Open online.
Cynergy Bank Easy Access Account 5.1%£1Save up to £1million. Open online.

Best notice savings accounts

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ACCOUNTAERMINIMUM DEPOSITNOTES
Market Harborough BS 195 Day Notice Account5.45%£10,000Open online or in branch
QIB (UK) via Raisin 95 Day Notice Account5.4%£1,000Open online
StreamBank 90 Day Notice Account5.3%£1,000Open online

Best savings for existing customers

First Direct Regular Saver&nbsp;- 7% AER
Best regular saver

<a href="https://www.firstdirect.com/savings-and-investments/savings/regular-saver-account/" data-link-merchant="firstdirect.com"" target="_blank">First Direct Regular Saver - 7% AER

First Direct has doubled the rate on its market-leading regular saver, which jumped from 3.5% to a handsome 7%. You can pay in between £25 to £300 into the account each month.

To benefit from the 7% rate you will need to be a First Direct current account holder. The rate will only be available for 12 months after which it may drop.

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AccountAERMinimum monthly paymentNotes
Co-operative Bank Regular Saver7%£1Open online. Maximum deposit is £250 per month.
Skipton Building Society Regular Saver7%£1Open online. Maximum deposit is £250 per month.
Gatehouse Bank Regular Saver7%£1Open online. Maximum deposit is £300 per month.

The best one-year fixed accounts

If you’re happy to lock a chunk of your savings away for a year, it might be worth considering a one-year fixed rate account.

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Just note that if you take money out before the 12-month period ends, you will lose the interest deal. Here are the best deals available for 12-month fixed accounts.

SmartSave 1 Year Fixed Rate Saver - 5.28% AER&nbsp;
Best 1 year fixed

<a href="https://smartsavebank.co.uk/1-year-fixed-rate-saver" data-link-merchant="smartsavebank.co.uk"" target="_blank">SmartSave 1 Year Fixed Rate Saver - 5.28% AER 

This market-leading one-year fixed saver requires a minimum deposit of £10,000 and you can save up to £85,000.  

All deposits must be made within the first 14 days of opening the account and it can be opened online. Interest is paid at maturity.  

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ACCOUNTAERMINIMUM DEPOSITNOTES
MBNA Fixed Saver 1 Year 5.27%£1,000Save up to £750,000. Open online.
Stream Bank 1 Year Fixed Account 5.25%£1,000Save up to £100,000. Open online.
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Flagstone 1 Year Fixed Term Deposit 5.22%£10,000Save up to £1million. Open online.

The best two-year fixed accounts

Currently, the rates for two-year fixed-rate accounts are lower than for one-year fixed accounts, but with savings rates on a likely downhill trajectory, if you're happy to lock away your money until the fixed period ends you're guaranteed this rate for two years. 

But, remember, this also means if better rates do appear within that time frame, you will be locked in at a lower rate.

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ACCOUNTAERMINIMUM DEPOSITNOTES
Close Brothers 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond 5.05%£10,000Save up to £2million. Open online
My Community Bank 2 year Fixed Rate Savings 5.04%£1,000Save up to £85,000. Open online
Hampshire Trust Bank 2 Year Bond 5%£1,000Save up to £250,000. Open online

What are the different types of savings accounts?

When putting your cash away you will usually have the option of different types of saving accounts – ranging from easy access accounts to one, two or three-year fixes.

  • Easy access accounts allow you to take your money out as and when you please.
  • Fixed-rate accounts, sometimes described as fixed-rate bonds, come with restrictions and also mean you cannot access your cash until the account reaches maturity.

You usually earn more interest if you are willing to lock your cash away for a fixed period but keep in mind that this also takes away the flexibility should you need the cash suddenly.

Although two or three-year fixed accounts can earn you more interest in the short term, your cash could potentially earn more on the stock market in the longer term.

Looking to switch your current account? Take a look at our guide in the best current account switching offer, where right now you can earn as much as £200 for moving bank accounts.

This article is updated regularly to bring you the latest on the best savings accounts rates. Sign up to our newsletter to stay up-to-date-on the latest deals for cash savings.

Vaishali Varu

Vaishali graduated in journalism from Leeds University and she has experience working with the likes of Leicester Mercury, Inews and The Week. She also comes from a marketing background, where she has done copywriting and content creation for businesses. 

Currently writing about all things personal finance, Vaishali is passionate about finding the best deals around, whether it's the best credit cards or the cheapest personal loans, as well as sharing top money hacks to help people save and better manage their money. 

With contributions from