This week's top savings deals explained

Last updated: 28 May 2026 at 11:55

Latest savings news: This week sees improvements to the top fixed bonds as millions of UK adult savings accounts earn 1.5% or less.

A staggering 51.3 million UK adult savings accounts earn a paltry return of 1.5% or less, totalling a whopping £338 billion, savings app Spring’s analysis of recent CACI data revealed. The average balance in accounts earning this is £6,593, however, the majority of savers’ money, £284 billion, is held in accounts with total balances of £10,000 or more – seeing many miss out on much higher returns.

Instead of leaving their money to languish in a low-paying account, shopping the market for a more competitive offer could see savers hundreds of pounds better off. And with the top fixed bond rates increasing across the board this week, now could be a good time to switch.

If savers were to put £10,000 into MBNA’s Fixed Saver 1 Year paying 4.85% AER (leading our one-year bond chart), after a year they would make £485 in interest. And for those who can afford to lock their money away for longer, Afin Bank offers the same rate on its market-leading 5-Year Fixed Term Account (Issue 9) on our five-year fixed bond chart. Otherwise, the provider also offers the top return on a two- and three-year fixed bond this week.

Alternatively, if savers need more frequent access to their cash, the leading easy access savings rate of 5.00% AER (including a 1.89% six-month bonus) is currently offered by LemFi’s Instant Access Savings Account.

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

This week LemFi’s Instant Access Savings Account tops our easy access chart paying 5.00% AER monthly on a minimum opening deposit of £1. The headline rate includes a sizeable 1.89% six-month bonus. This app-only account allows savers to dip in and out of their pots as they please (via a nominated account) and is operated by ClearBank.

Elsewhere, Tembo Money occupies second place with its HomeSaver, which now pays a reduced rate of 4.55% AER monthly (inclusive of a 1.55% bonus for 12 months). Savers can open this account via app with a minimum deposit of £10, after which further additions and withdrawals can be made via a nominated account. While a higher rate of 5.55% AER is achievable on Tembo Money’s HomeSaver, this is only if a qualifying mortgage is taken out with the provider (T&Cs apply). To find out more, head to our chart.

Chase offers the third best return on an easy access savings account this week of 4.50% AER on its Chase Saver With Boosted Rate. This includes a hefty 2.23% 12-month bonus, with the headline rate only available in the first 31 days of being a new Chase current account customer. Accessible via mobile app, no minimum deposit is required to open this account. Although further additions can be made without restriction, savers should note that a daily external transfer limit of £25,000 applies.

Fixed rate bonds

The leading return on a one-year fixed bond has risen to 4.85% AER this week and comes from MBNA. Its Fixed Saver 1 Year can be opened online with a £1,000 deposit or more, and must be managed over the phone afterwards. Savers can add to their pots for 14 days from opening via a nominated account but early access isn't allowed, as is typical for fixed bonds.

After hiking rates, Afin Bank tops our two-, three- and five-year fixed bond charts. Its 2-Year Fixed Term Account (Issue 6) and 3-Year Fixed Term Account (Issue 1) both pay 4.80% AER, while its 5-Year Fixed Term Account (Issue 9) offers a slightly higher 4.85% AER for those willing to lock their money away for longer. All pay interest on anniversary and are available via mobile app with a minimum £1,000 opening deposit. Once funded, they can additionally be managed over the phone. Further contributions can be made for 14 more days via a nominated account.

Notice accounts

There’s been no change to the leading notice account rates this week. RCI Bank UK still occupies the number one spot on our up to 30-day notice chart, paying 4.00% AER on its RCI Bank E-Volve Savings 14 Day Notice Account. Interest is paid monthly or on anniversary and, to open this account online, savers must make a minimum deposit of £100, after which it can additionally be managed via app. It allows savers to add to their pots via a nominated account, but, as early access isn't permitted there will be a 14 day wait before getting access to any withdrawn funds. This account may particularly appeal to those looking for eco-conscious saving as all funds deposited will be used exclusively for the purpose of financing electric vehicles, charging points and future green transportation projects.

Oxbury Bank’s Personal 35 Day Notice Account (Issue 7) continues to be one of three accounts offering the best return on an up to 60-day notice account. It pays 4.16% AER monthly on a minimum £1,000 opening deposit. Available online, once funded it can be additionally managed by mobile app and allows further contributions via a nominated account (withdrawals should be via this method also). Note that the Oxbury App is required to use online banking. If savers want to access their money, there will be a 35-day wait before they receive their cash as early access isn’t allowed.

Also offering 4.16% AER is Shawbrook Bank’s 45 Day Notice Account Issue 22. Interest is paid monthly or on anniversary, and the account can be opened online with a deposit of £1,000 or more, after which there’s an extra option for management over the phone. Further additions are permitted, but only while the issue remains open, and early access isn’t allowed. If savers want to retrieve their money, they will face a 45-day wait.

Alternatively, Shawbrook Bank additionally offers 4.16% AER on its Raisin UK – 45 Day Notice Account. Savers can access it online or by mobile app via the Raisin UK Savings platform with the same £1,000 deposit, but unlike its direct counterpart, further additions aren’t permitted. This account doesn’t allow partial withdrawals, and savers should be aware that withdrawal of the full balance is subject to 45 days’ notice and account closure.

Bank of London and The Middle East’s 90 Day Notice Account (Issue 10) tops the up to 90-day notice sector for another consecutive week, paying an expected profit rate of 4.37% AER quarterly. To open this online-only account, savers must deposit a sizeable minimum deposit of £10,000, with further additions accepted via a nominated account. Once again, early access isn’t permitted, so savers will have a wait of 90 days before they can get their hands on their withdrawn funds.

Note that these accounts offer lower rates than the top easy access accounts.