Superior Savings Accounts by Finance News Bulletin

Published: 13/12/07

The Northern astound fiasco certainly got a lot of us thinking For the first time, you probably questioned how secure your money in fact is in a UK savings accountMany people had no idea that their savings were covered by the Financial armed forces Compensation Scheme (which now covers 100% of our money in a savings account but only up to £35k) We've realised that should we have more in a savings account than this, it would be wise to split it up into manifold accounts with a £35k maximum in each

What's more, we've exposed that even doing this is not as simple as it sounds as we first need to ensure each explanation has its own banking licence to make it eligible for a potential maintain in the first place Complicated, ehWell, at least it's made many more of us sit up and pay notice to what our savings are doing And so we should - after all, we work hard for our cash, so it makes sense to ensure it is protected and earning a great speed of interest

And despite the information the Bank of England recently chose to slash interest rates to 55% (great news for borrowers, but not so good for savers) there are still some great investments rates available So if you've filled your cash ISA allowance for the day (or have no intention of using it) here are some of the current best buy investments accounts in which to stash that cash:ICICIHiSave 641% No notice £1 From 1st of January 2008, our Annualized Equivalent speed (AER) rate is guaranteed to be 0

30% above store of England base rate plow 31st of December 2011Icesave Easy Access 630% No notice £250 Rate is guaranteed to exceed the Bank of England bottom Rate* by at least 025% until 1 October 2009 and thereafter not to be lower than the Bank of England bottom Rate until 1 October 2011

It's also value noting that Birmingham Midshires is currently offering 641% with its Internet Saver account This includes a 021% extra for six months but comes with the stipulation that you won't earn any interest in any month you create a withdrawal, so not perfect if you like to be able to access your money regularly

These accounts are clearly high-quality for anyone already with a lump of savings But what about those of us that are just starting to save In this situation, an option (and potentially more lucrative) home for your money could be a usual saving accountInstead of having free access to your cash, regular investments accounts ask that you do exactly that, and regularly put aside a set sum each month (typically £25+, although some will believe £10+)

Rates of interest are usually senior (sometimes significantly so) than instant right of entry savings accounts, but in order to earn that rate you'll have to create sure you don't miss a payment for at least a year And while this may seem a little restrictive, it can be a great instrument for encouraging those that have failed to save in the past to make a nest eggNow it's worth noting that the "headline grabbing" usual savings accounts tend to only be available to savers that already have another product with the provider For example, Alliance & Leicester at present offers a whopping 12%AER on its Premier Regular Saver, but to unlock one you'll need to already have one of its Premier current accounts

However, as these current accounts are market best in their own way, it can be worth investigating, if you're considering touching current account anywayBut for those that are keen to put aside regularly and earn a good rate without being required to take out extra products, Leek United BS is currently paying 75%AER on its Regular Savings explanation, which requires monthly deposits of £10-£250Britannia BS is also paying 7

5%AER on its 1 Year Fixed Rate Regular Saver, with journal deposits of £25-£250 required And Abbey also offers a set speed Monthly Saver (Iss 7) currently paying 725%AER on deposits of £20-£250 per month

So if you've already used up your 2007/8 Cash ISA allowance (or you have determined to take out a maxi evenhandedness ISA) take a look at your savings needs If your cash is floundering in a poor paying account, now may be the time to move it And for those people, whose New day's resolutions were to get into the savings bit, why not make sure out regular investments accounts You may just find they're perfect for your needs

© Copyright 1998-2007, The Motley trick Limited All rights reserved This material is for personal employ onlyPlace of Reg: England & Wales

Company Reg No: 3736872 storage bin Reg No: 735 7818 01 Registered place of work: 30 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F

Visit original article: