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  • Millions of us are missing out on savings interest – how to get a better deal

    Are you one of the many getting a poor interest rate? Here’s how you could get a competitive interest rate on your savings in just a few clicks.

    Important information

    This article gives you information to help you make the most of your money, but it isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure if a certain action is right for you, please ask for advice.

    Last Updated: 19 May 2022

    Important information - This article gives you information to help you make the most of your money, but it isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure if a certain action is right for you, please ask for advice.

    Ignoring the interest rate we get on our savings is costing us billions.

    Much of the blame must sit with high street banks, building societies and even the post office. Each are using our loyalty and lack of action against us. They know many people don’t switch so they have little motivation to give better rates.

    And the amount it’s costing us is shocking.

    There’s over £265bn sat in accounts which pay no interest at all - that figure has doubled in the last ten years. And there’s £983bn sat in easy access accounts, much with high street banks paying very low rates.

    In fact, research from Investec in February identified the average rate offered by banking giants as 0.02%, compared to the average top 10 rate at 0.67%.

    For the average household, that sort of difference in rate could amount to more than £2,000 over ten years, based on a savings pot of just over £30,000. That’s a significant amount, especially when we have to contend with inflation which is also reducing the spending power of our money.

    Get a better savings rate

    It’s time to join the savings revolution and vote with our feet. Get a better rate.

    Active Savings gives you the tools to take back control of your savings.

    You can pick and mix from easy access and fixed-term savings products from different banks and building societies, with one online account. You’ll get better rates and more choice than a typical high street bank.

    Picking and switching savings rates is simple and can be done in a handful of clicks. And you’ll see everything in one place, so it’s easy to manage.

    Instant access products allow immediate cash withdrawals, Active Savings offers easy access products where withdrawals usually take one working day.

    Fixed term products pay a fixed rate the whole term, but you can't usually withdraw your money until the term has ended. With limited access products you can withdraw your money when you like, but only a certain number of times a year without incurring a charge.

    The best rates on Active Savings

    Easy access

    Up to
    4.75% | 4.65%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    2.73%

    1 year

    Up to
    5.11% | 5.11%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    5.43%

    2 years

    Up to
    5.05% | 5.05%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    5.49%

    3 years

    Up to
    4.65% | 4.65%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    5.21%

    Easy access

    Up to
    4.75% | 4.65%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    2.73%

    1 year

    Up to
    5.11% | 5.11%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    5.43%

    3 years

    Up to
    4.65% | 4.65%
    (AER | Gross)

    Avg. market rate
    5.21%

    Find out more

    Please note the products above are some of our most popular, but more are available. Click the link above to see our full range. Products can be added or withdrawn at any time. Minimum deposit requirements apply to individual products. Easy access products pay a variable rate and fixed term products pay a fixed rate.

    Source: Bank of England 31 October 2023. Comparisons with average market rates for easy access products are based on instant access products, which allow immediate withdrawals. Active Savings offers easy access products and withdrawals usually take one working day.

    AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) shows what the interest rate/expected profit rate would be if it was paid and compounded once each year. It helps you compare the rates on different savings products. Once you have opened a fixed term product the rate won't change, but rates on easy access products can vary.

    Gross means the rate without any tax removed. Interest/profits are paid gross. You are responsible for paying any tax due on interest/profits that exceed your Personal Savings Allowance to HM Revenue & Customs. Tax treatment can change.

    The savings of private individuals held with authorised banks and building societies are covered under FSCS. All of our partner banks are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and covered under FSCS.

    About our author

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      Hargreaves Lansdown PLC group companies will usually send you further information by post and/or email about our products and services. If you would prefer not to receive this, please do let us know. We will not sell or trade your personal data.

      This website is issued by Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management Limited (company number 1896481), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference 115248.

      The Active Savings service is provided by Hargreaves Lansdown Savings Limited (company number 8355960). Hargreaves Lansdown Savings Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 915119). Hargreaves Lansdown Savings Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 with firm reference 901007 for the issuing of electronic money. Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management Limited and Hargreaves Lansdown Savings Limited are subsidiaries of Hargreaves Lansdown plc (company number 212214).

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