Best High Interest Current Accounts

Using a high interest current account for saving

Savings accounts used to be the only sensible place to put your hard-earned cash, but due to the effect of inflation, it can be difficult to get a real return. Savvy savers will therefore be looking for alternatives – and a high interest current account could be it.

High interest current accounts are exactly as advertised – current accounts that offer high rates of interest on in-credit balances, or in some instances, cash rewards. These accounts are ideal if you’re seeking a decent return. Providers also actively compete for your business by offering a number of options and incentives.

As such, it’s little wonder that these accounts are increasingly being used as a savings vehicle, although they do have some downsides. They tend to have certain requirements, such as a minimum monthly funding amount, a time limit on the interest deal and – more often than not – an upper limit on the balance that they’ll pay interest on. They’re a lot like regular savings accounts in this respect, but usually with higher limits and easier access. Always check rates for easy access savings accounts to make sure you are getting the best deal, as these are unlikely to have fees.

Things to watch out for

Providers use high interest rates to entice people who get a certain amount of money paid into their account every month. That's why they tend to have minimum income requirements and not pay the headline interest rate unless you pay in at least the minimum amount each month. It is also why some providers may offer extra cashback for direct debits and such, to ensure that you really are using their account as your main account.

While some may do this simply to ensure your custom, providers may also charge a monthly fee in exchange for the benefits they are offering. Make sure that any fees do not outweigh the extra cash you are getting from interest. This goes not just for any straightforward monthly fees, but also for more hidden costs such as overdraft charges.

Bank accounts that offer competitive (i.e. low) overdraft charges are usually not the same ones that offer high interest. So, if you're someone who dips into the red on a regular basis, you may want an account with an overdraft deal instead. If, on the other hand, you're never in the red, then you don't need to watch out for such penalties when picking a new current account.

In summary, watch out for:

• Account fees
• Overdraft charges (read more on how overdrafts work here)
• Funding requirements (so you don't miss out on interest)
• Any other requirements that may affect cashback or other rewards the current account offers
• Foreign usage fees (using your debit card abroad can be costly - consider a travel card instead)

Note that as with most financial products, current accounts are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which keeps an eye on the market to makes sure fees and such aren't completely unreasonable.

Why and how would I switch bank accounts?

Many people get a bank account when they are young, maybe chosen and set up by their parents, and then keep using it for the rest of their life, never considering a change. Providers count on this loyalty, which is why you won't often find incentives added to your current account for free. If you want to get more out of your everyday banking, your best option is usually to switch.

You may have recently seen an advertisement from a bank or building society offering a switching incentive, such as £100, for moving over to them. While certainly tempting, it's important to consider the whole package before actually switching. If you can get 5% interest every year for the foreseeable future, this will likely end up being worth more than a one-off £100, especially if the account with the switching incentive comes with a monthly fee and the alternative doesn't.

There’s every chance that high interest accounts will offer higher rates than savings accounts. However, even if current accounts offer lower rates, there's still something to be said for using your current account as a high interest savings account. For one, the highest paying savings accounts -typically fixed rate bonds - tend to require you to set your funds aside for a long time, with no early access. A current account will generally allow unlimited easy access, as long as you fulfil the funding requirements.

Given that high interest accounts will only offer interest up to a certain amount, they are not convenient for stashing large amounts of money. A fixed rate bond as well as a competitive current account might be the best way to go.

If you've decided to switch to a high interest current account, remember that the provider will run a credit check, so make sure your credit score is up to scratch. With every credit check slightly reducing your credit score, you may also want to think twice about opening multiple high interest accounts, especially if you're planning to apply for a mortgage soon.

Once you've decided on a current account, and you're sure you fulfil all the eligibility requirements, the process should be straightforward. Check if the bank or building society you're looking to switch to is part of the Current Account Switch Service. This service guarantees that your account, including all your direct debits and standing orders, is switched over within seven days. Almost all providers will offer this nowadays, so you shouldn't have to do anything after your application has been accepted except wait for your new card and banking details.

Alternatives

What to do if your application is rejected? Well, most importantly, don't just apply for another account straight away. If your application was rejected due to a poor credit rating, do what you can to improve it first. If it was rejected because you don't quite fulfil the requirements, it might be time to look at alternatives.

To minimise the costs associated with having a bank account, you might want to look at either a free bank account or a bank account with an overdraft.

Alternatively, there are basic bank accounts, which don't tend to have overdrafts and may be great for people with poor credit, or bad credit bank accounts, which usually don't have overdrafts and don't do credit checks, but do tend to come with monthly fees.

If a high rate of interest is not your priority, you could potentially consider a packaged account instead. These accounts typically offer travel insurance, mobile phone cover and breakdown cover, among other incentives, in exchange for a fee. However, making sure you really need the benefits on offer is key – as is checking they’re not available elsewhere for less.