This week's top savings deals explained

Last updated: 13 August 2026 at 14:10

Latest savings news: Learn more about some of this week’s top savings rates, as new research reveals millions of adults lack a financial safety net.

Millions of UK adults are lacking a financial safety net, with new research from St James’s Place finding nearly two in five (38%) have less than £10,000 in savings, investments and physical possessions, while one in seven (14%) reported having no wealth at all.

This comes as continued cost of living pressures, market volatility and global uncertainty are leaving many people feeling less able to cope both financially and emotionally, according to the wealth management firm.

“Over the last five years, households have faced successive crises and challenging economic conditions,” said Alexandra Loydon, Group Advice Director at St James’s Place. “Many people remain worried about their finances looking ahead to the next 12 months, but there are practical steps that can help,” she continued.

Loydon explained that one of the ways people can look after their wellbeing during times of uncertainty is to build an emergency fund, covering between three and six months’ spending, which could provide a buffer if they find themselves between jobs or facing higher living costs.

Easy access accounts are likely to be one of the most suitable places to store an emergency fund, as they typically let savers make additions and withdrawals at any time (although it’s important to check an account’s terms and conditions carefully). Encouragingly for those currently looking for an account, the best easy access rates held steady this week.

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

Easy access accounts

There’s been little change at the top of our easy access savings chart this week, with savers still able to earn a market-leading 5.00% AER from LemFi (inclusive of a 1.89% bonus for six months). Its app-based Instant Access Savings Account pays interest monthly after being opened with a minimum initial deposit of £1 and accepts further contributions without restriction. But, while withdrawals are also permitted (using a nominated account), note that limits may apply.

Meanwhile, Tembo Money’s HomeSaver continues to offer the next best rate of 4.55% AER monthly (inclusive of a 1.55% bonus for 12 months). Another app-based account, it requires a marginally higher minimum opening deposit of £10 and allows savers to add to and withdraw from their pot at any time without penalty or restriction. What’s more, those who take out a qualifying mortgage product through Tembo Money could see their interest rate boosted to 5.55% AER (Ts&Cs apply; visit our chart to learn more).

However, it now shares second place on our chart after Cynergy Bank introduced a new issue of its easy access savings account which was increased to also pay 4.55% AER on anniversary (inclusive of a 2.00% bonus for 12 months). As its name suggests, savers can open the Online Easy Access Account (Issue 100) online with a minimum deposit of just £1. They’ll then have the option to manage their money via mobile app and can make both unlimited penalty-free withdrawals and further contributions using a nominated account.

Otherwise, savers who’d prefer an account that isn’t bolstered by a short-term introductory bonus could consider the cahoot Simple Saver (Issue 18) which continues to offer a highly competitive flat rate of 4.52% AER either monthly or at anniversary on balances between £1 and £500,000. After opening online, this account can additionally be managed over the phone and permits unlimited penalty-free withdrawals and further additions without restriction. However, savers will need to keep in mind that it will revert to a cahoot Savings Account after 12 months.

Fixed rate bonds

By contrast, the past week has seen more movement at the top of our fixed rate bond charts.

The market-leading return on a one-year fixed bond, for instance, fell for another consecutive week to stand at 4.85% AER and is currently offered by three providers. GB Bank’s 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond pays this rate monthly or at maturity after opening online with a minimum initial deposit of £1,000. It can additionally be managed by mobile app and accepts further contributions for 21 days. Early access, however, is prohibited (as is the case with most fixed bonds – including those also mentioned in this article).

Meanwhile, MBNA’s Fixed Saver 1 Year pays the same rate at maturity and similarly requires a £1,000 minimum deposit. But, after opening online, savers should note that they can only manage this account over the phone and make further contributions for a shorter, 14-day window (via a nominated account).

Otherwise, Vanquis Bank also offers 4.85% AER monthly or at anniversary on its 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond. Savers can apply for this account online with a minimum deposit of £1,000, after which it can additionally be managed by post or over the phone and accepts further contributions for 30 days (and within five working days of the initial deposit) via a nominated account.

However, savers looking to lock away their cash for longer may be pleased to learn that the top return on a two-year bond has risen to 4.90% AER this week. Market Harborough BS’s Fixed Term Bonds 35 and 36 (02.10.2028) pay this rate yearly and monthly, respectively, until 2 October 2028 after recently being increased. Furthermore, the provider has taken the lead on our five-year bond chart after similarly raising its Fixed Rate Bonds 37 and 38 (30.09.2031) to pay 5.00% AER yearly and monthly, respectively, until 30 September 2031. Each of these accounts can be opened and managed online or in branch with a minimum deposit of £5,000 and accept further contributions for 10 days.

Elsewhere, Investec Save holds onto the lead of our three-year bond chart with its Fixed Rate Saver continuing to pay 5.00% AER yearly on a minimum initial deposit of £5,000. Savers can make further additions to this online-only account for seven days.

Notice accounts

Savers searching for a notice account, meanwhile, will find RCI Bank UK continues to top our up to 30-day notice chart with its RCI Bank E-Volve Savings 14 Day Notice Account paying 4.00% AER monthly or at anniversary on a £100 minimum deposit. This online-only account accepts further additions without restriction but doesn’t allow early access (which means savers will need to serve the full, 14-day notice period before getting hands on their cash). Any withdrawals must also take place using a nominated account. Nonetheless, it may particularly appeal to eco-conscious savers as any funds deposited will be used exclusively to finance electric vehicles, charging points and future green transportation projects.

However, those willing to wait slightly longer when making a withdrawal will find the best rate for an account requiring up to 60 days’ notice when making a withdrawal has risen marginally to 4.21% AER. Shawbrook Bank’s 45 Day Notice Account – Issue 23 pays this rate monthly or on anniversary after opening online with a £1,000 minimum deposit. Savers can additionally manage their account over the phone and make further contributions while the issue remains open. But, once again, it isn’t possible to gain early access without serving the full, 45-day notice period.

Alternatively, those with at least £10,000 they’re looking to save could consider Bank of London and The Middle East’s 90 Day Notice Account (Issue 10) which continues to offer an expected profit rate of 4.37% AER and tops our up to 90-day notice chart. This account is available online and accepts further deposits via a nominated account but, as it doesn’t allow early access, savers must be prepared to wait 90 days when making a withdrawal.

High yield savings news

As of 13 August 2026, the best high yield savings accounts continue to pay up to 5.00% AER. See above for more information about the leading accounts or, to compare options from across the whole market, visit our savings charts.