Act now to bag NatWest-owned Ulster Bank's 5.2% easy access savings account

NatWest-owned Ulster Bank’s top 5.2% easy access saver account has remained on the market even as other rates have dropped.

Ulster Bank boosted the rate on its easy-access account back in October when competition in the savings market hit its peak. Lenders have been dropping their rates since November, but Ulster Bank’s deal is still available.

At the time, Ulster Bank upped its rate from 5% to 5.2% on its easy access account, and the saver went head to head with the likes of NS&I’s 6.2% one-year fixed bond, which was pulled after being on the market for only around five weeks. 

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Despite a short life span on the best savings accounts plus falling savings rates, more than 1,000 accounts including this 5.2% saver by Ulster Bank now beat inflation. 

Ulster Bank’s savings account is also just below the base rate of 5.25%, which the Bank of England froze for the third time in December. 

This is among the top easy access accounts and is an attractive product for putting money aside, especially if you want somewhere for your emergency or short-term savings where you can earn a decent interest rate.

There are some restrictions though. We explain how Ulster Bank’s Loyalty Saver rate works.

Who can get Ulster Bank’s 5.2% Loyalty Saver rate?

Ulster Bank is based in Northern Ireland but this account is also open to residents across the UK over age 16.

You have to apply digitally and have a mobile number and email address to open an account but if you live in Northern Ireland you can get help in a branch. Otherwise, you will need to apply online through the Ulster Bank website.

It is open to new and existing Ulster Bank customers. If you already bank with Ulster Bank, you can use its Round Ups savings feature from the current account to put the extra money aside. 

You need at least £5,000 to get the 5.2% rate and anything below that will earn 2.25%. So, this is only a best-buy if you have at least £5,000 to save.

How does Ulster Bank’s Loyalty Saver work?

The Loyalty Saver account is opened and run completely online, so you need to be tech-savvy.

You will need to register for Ulster Bank’s internet banking services to access and manage your account.

It can be funded from any current or savings account in your name.

There are no limits on withdrawals and if you live in Northern Ireland you can also withdraw money in branch in addition to online and mobile.

Interest is paid annually, so you would earn £260 on a £5,000 deposit after 12 months. If you have less to save, take a look at Satander-owned Cahoot - which also pays 5.2% and you only need £1 to get started. But, you can only save up to £3,000.  

How does Ulster Bank’s Loyalty Saver compare with the rest of the market?

As with most easy-access deals, the 5.2% rate is variable so could change at any time. This means Ulster Bank could decide to reduce the rate once it has enough demand or it could even go up again if interest rates rise further. Savers will get 60 days’ notice of any changes.

You only get the 5.2% rate once you have £5,000 in the account so it may not be best for those with small savings pots. But if you have built up a big emergency stash or have large sums to set aside, this product could be attractive and has the added benefit of unlimited withdrawals if you require regular access.

But, Ulster Bank’s easy-access account is not the best rate on the market. 

Currently, Metro Bank is at the top of our best buy table, with its 5.22% Instant Access account which can be opened with £500. 

Yet, a lot of top easy-access accounts come with hidden restrictions, so the rate offered might put the account at the top of our best buy table, but it may not be a feasible option for many. 

For example, Santander’s Edge Saver is offering a whopping 7%, but it is only available to Santander edge customers, and the 7% rate includes a bonus rate of 2.5% which could be dropped at anytime. 

As mentioned, Cahoot’s Sunny Day saver also offers 5.2% like Ulster Bank, but you can only save up to £3,000 a year. 

Better savings rates are on offer if you are willing to lock your money away for a short period. You can earn up to 5.5% if you fix your savings for a year with Al Rayan Bank.  

Are easy access savings rates falling? 

Lenders have been dropping the rates on the best easy-access savings accounts, though they have been a lot more steady than fixed savings, which has seen daily drops since November. 

So far, there has been no rate falls on easy-access accounts in the new year. But in December, MoneyWeek saw four easy access savings deals pulled and three accounts fall in rate. 

Plus, experts believe we have hit the peak of interest rate hikes as inflation has lowered (but not reached the 2% target), and that the base rate could fall which would push savings rates down further. 

Sarah Coles at Hargreaves Lansdown warns: “At the moment the market is pricing in for the Bank of England to cut rates as early as May, and while that consensus holds, we can expect savings rates to keep falling.”