This week's top savings deals explained

Last updated: 18 December 2025 at 15:00

UK savers warned to remain vigilant and switch to secure the best deals.

Inflation fell to 3.2% in the year to November, down from 3.6% in October, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

However, on average this year, savings rates have lagged behind inflation, analysis by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk reveals, with savers being urged to search the market for the highest paying deals.

“This year inflation has averaged 4.01% and the Moneyfacts Average Savings Rate at 3.50%, meaning cash savings have failed to keep pace. For someone with £10,000, this equates to being around £50 worse off in real terms,” Caitlyn Eastell, Spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, commented.

One in four savers admit to never having switched savings accounts, the Moneyfacts Savings Trends Index found, and Eastell cautioned that loyalty isn’t always incentivised. There were 1,512 savings accounts that beat inflation at the time of the ONS data release, with 153 of these being easy access accounts, 145 notice accounts and 739 fixed bonds – meaning there are still attractive deals to be had.

Read more: UK inflation slowed more than expected to 3.2% in November.

 “The markets are most generous to those who proactively search for the highest paying deals,” Eastell added.

Below is a list of accounts that currently offer the best easy access, fixed and notice savings rates. These products are all available to new customers with a £10,000 deposit. Note that higher rates may be available to existing customers or those who are willing to save more than £10,000.

You can also visit our charts to compare rates from across the whole of the savings market.

Easy access accounts

Continuing to top our easy access chart this week is Chase’s Chase Saver With Boosted Rate paying 4.50% AER monthly, inclusive of a 1.94%, 12-month bonus. This app-only account doesn’t ask for a minimum opening deposit and, while it allows an unlimited number of penalty-free withdrawals, a daily external transfer limit of £25,000 applies.

Sidekick remains in second place this week with its Sidekick Multi Shield which offers 4.48% AER monthly. This headline rate includes a 1.00% bonus for six months on balances between £10,000 and £120,000 – although a lower rate of 3.48% AER is paid on portions of balances above £120,000. Further additions are allowed, but any withdrawn cash is only available the next working day. Available to open and manage via mobile app, those wanting to save larger sums may find Sidekick’s account particularly appealing as the provider spreads savers’ money across its network of regulated partner banks, meaning up to £360,000 is covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Those wanting an account without an introductory bonus may like to consider our third-place option: cahoot’s cahoot Simple Saver (Issue 13). The account pays an attractive flat rate of 4.40% AER monthly or on anniversary and requires a minimum deposit of £1 to open online, after which it can be additionally managed over the phone. Savers should note, however, that the headline rate is only paid on balances up to £500,000 and no interest is paid above this threshold. While unlimited, penalty-free access to savers’ cash is granted, the account reverts into a cahoot Savings Account after 12 months.

Fixed rate bonds

Maintaining its leading position on our one-year fixed bond chart this week is AlRayan Bank with its Meteor Savings – 1 Year Fixed Term Deposit, still paying an expected profit rate of 4.55% AER on maturity. Available online through the savings platform, Meteor Savings, a minimum opening deposit of £1,000 is needed. There’s no option to add to this afterwards, so savers should choose this amount carefully. Typically for fixed bonds, early access isn’t allowed.

Kent Reliance tops our two-year and three-year fixed bond charts this week. The provider offers its 2 Year Exclusive Fixed Bond – Issue 26 and its 3 Year Exclusive Fixed Rate Bond – Issue 8, paying 4.42% AER and 4.26% AER respectively. They pay interest monthly or yearly and are accessible in branch with a minimum deposit of £1,000, after which they can be additionally managed over the phone. Savers can add to this amount for 14 more days via a nominated account.

There’s been a slight rise at the top of our five-year fixed bond chart this week, with Hampshire Trust Bank offering 4.31% AER after a rate increase on its 5 Year Online Fixed Saver (Issue 44). Available online with an opening deposit of £1 or more, there’s the option to make further contributions for 14 days via a nominated account. Once funded, the account can also be managed over the phone.

Notice accounts

There’s been no change to our leading notice rates this week.

RCI Bank UK continues to jointly top our up to 30-day notice chart with its RCI Bank E-Volve Savings 14 Day Notice Account, paying 4.05% AER. This account pays interest monthly or on anniversary and requires a minimum deposit of £100 to open online, after which it can be additionally managed by mobile app. Further contributions can be made via a nominated account and the full 14-day notice period has to be served before savers can withdraw any money as early access isn’t an option. Eco-conscious savers may be interested to know this is a green product and RCI Bank UK will use all money deposited to finance electric vehicles, charging points and future green transportation projects.

Also leading our up to 30-day notice chart alongside RCI Bank UK is United Trust Bank, continuing to pay 4.05% AER yearly on its UTB 30 Day Notice. While the account asks for an opening deposit of £5,000 or higher, the headline rate is only available on balances of £10,000 or more – with balances below this incurring a rate of 4.00% AER instead. Available to open online, and after funding this account can additionally be managed by post or over the phone. Further contributions are allowed via a nominated account, which is how withdrawals should be made too, however, early access isn’t permitted so they will have a longer 30-day notice period to wait before gaining access to their money.

In first place on our up to 60-day notice chart is Aldermore’s 45 Day Notice Saver (Issue 6), which offers 4.13% AER monthly or on anniversary. This online-only account needs a minimum opening deposit of £1,000, which can be added to without any restriction. It doesn’t allow early access, so savers will have to wait 45 days before accessing their cash.

Continuing to offer the best rate on our up to 90-day notice chart is Investec Save. Its 90-Day Notice Saver Issue 6, offering 4.17% AER monthly, can be opened online with a minimum deposit of £5,000. Savers can continue to add to this amount without restriction, but, as early access isn’t an option, savers will have to serve the 90-day notice period before getting their withdrawn money.