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Looking for a bank account with reasonable interest rates and access to your money any suggestions
Interest rates are rubbish at the moment. I know Nationwide has a current account that pays 2% for the first year but you have to fund it each month. You can get up to date info from the Martin Lewis website (if I’m allowed to mention them!)
Have a look on the Martin Lewis Money website as he will have an up to date list of the best bank accounts for interest rates, but they aren't that great at the moment
Premium bonds are a good idea if you can afford to tie the money up indefinitely and you could win big!
You don't have to tie your money up INDEFINITELY with premium bonds, you can get it out within a few days, it used to take up to eight days (using post or telephone) but I believe with an online NS&I account the expected time has reduced.
IMO at the moment they're probably the best thing, although you're not guaranteed any interest on investment, if you are lucky enough to win your winnings are tax free.
I'd recommend that any person buying bonds, elects to take any winnings as new bonds.
You don't say how old you are ? If you are a minor or a student there are better deals available . But as has been stated there is nowhere where decent interests rates are available . If anyone knows anywhere please tell me !
Best I have found is the Nationwide "Start Saving " account with 1% interest but that is only for up to £100 a month although there is entry to a prize draw every 3 months .
I don't know if the deal is still on but I changed to RBS last year and they gave me £100. Also, my current account gives me £5 monthly just with 2 direct debit and a monthly income over certain amount.
I was with Santander 123 account but now their interest rate has dropped drastically. I figured for me it is better to pay off overpayments on my mortgage than savings as rates are so terrible at the moment. If you go on money supermarket they have up to date lists
Virgin Money have a current account that pays 2% on the first £1K, yeah i know its not great but you dont need direct debits nor do you need to make a min payment each month. It seems you can have more than one account too
There aren’t any atm, definitely not with the traditional banks. The online only banks might be a bit better, but as a whole, you won’t get much banking with anyone atm
I know some good ones. I always get offered loads of money from emails. Like one time I sent £500 to be able to get millions that I was owed. I like those emails.
If you are on a low income you may be eligible for the Help to Save Government Scheme that rewards savers. You get a bonus of 50p for every £1 you save over 4 years. The most you can pay into your account each calendar month is £50, which is £2,400 over 4 years. The most you can earn from your savings in 4 years is £1,200 in bonus money. That's an awesome return!
More info on this here: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-savings-low-income
For a higher income than you'll get from a bank I suggest investing in Investment Trusts within an ISA.
(An ISA, or individual savings account, is a tax-efficient wrapper for savings and investments).
You can comfortably generate an average dividend yield of 4% pa with a broad range of income trusts.
If you want to minimise your risk, I suggest sticking to Investment Trusts that are 'Dividend Heroes' - more info about them, here:
I think interest rates are generally very similar and low, but have a look at offers that banks do where if you switch to them you get a voucher or a cash bonus
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