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Featured - Account Types
What type of savings account do you need?Find out about the different types of savings accounts available to suit a variety of needs.
Savings
ISAs
Residential
Buy to let
Specialist mortgages
Featured - Debt and your credit score
How debt impacts your credit scoreA healthy credit score has its benefits, so make sure you manage your debt correctly.
Loans
Featured - Life Insurance
Life InsuranceFor peace of mind that your loved ones will be supported financially after you die, consider taking our life insurance. Find out more and compare policies.
Home & vehicle
Health & travel
Featured - High interest current accounts
Find current accounts offering in-credit interest rates up to 5.00% AER.
Current accounts
Featured - Purchase Cards
Best purchase credit cardsExplore the best cards with a 0% introductory period.
Credit cards
Credit repair
Calculators & guides
Business savings
Business products
Business insurance
How much can I give as a cash gift?
How much can I give as a cash gift?Will your loved one's gift be tax affected?
Categories
Featured guides
Popular news
Latest news - by category
Other money & finance news
Featured Star Ratings categories
Other Star Ratings categories
Eight times a year, the Bank of England’s (BoE) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets to decide the UK’s interest or base rate. When this happens mortgage and savings rates will feel the impact, affecting consumers across the board. Below we have explained what the BoE’s base rate means and how it affects you.
In essence, the base rate refers to the interest the BoE charges lenders for borrowing its money. As a result, this affects the interest rates banks and building societies charge on many of its products. In theory, if the base rate is lowered, so do the rates on mortgages and savings accounts and vice versa.
As explained in our inflation guide, base rate and inflation have a direct relationship. This means when inflation rises or falls, the base rate generally mimics this action.
This is because the BoE’s MPC uses interest rates to control inflation. If the cost of borrowing increases, then consumers are encouraged to save their money instead. When this happens, economic activity subsides and so does inflation.
Likewise, if interest rates drop, borrowing looks more attractive. This is usually done in periods of low inflation when the BoE encourages spending and economic growth. Businesses and consumers aim to take advantage of low rates and borrow more, which increases economic activity and therefore inflation.
The MPC, which comprises nine members, meets roughly every six weeks to determine whether the base rate should remain the same, increase or decrease. The MPC includes the following members
This committee is also joined by a representative from Her Majesty’s Treasury who cannot vote on the outcome. Instead, their role is to brief the committee on any policy issues and fiscal policy plans which might influence their vote.
The BoE plays a significant role in protecting the value of the pound and ensuring prices remain stable across the economy. To achieve this outcome, the base rate needs to change and can never stay constant.
Another way the BoE achieves this outcome is through the unconventional means of quantitative easing.
Ultimately, a low base rate makes borrowing cheaper. Therefore, in theory, a low base rate will benefit businesses looking to borrow money and upscale their assets. Consumers looking for a loan or mortgage will, in theory, have access to cheaper borrowing.
From the perspective of a saver, on the other hand, a low base rate is not ideal. This is because the lower the base rate, the cheaper it becomes to lend money which limits the returns a saver can earn on their funds.
A low base rate can be positive or negative for the broader economy. Factors such as unemployment figures, value of the pound, and Government spending (or fiscal policy) can influence one’s opinion on the current base rate.
A rise in base rate will likely increase the amount earned on your savings account. If you have a fixed rate, however, base rate will have no impact on what you earn. Instead, your interest will remain the same for the remainder of your savings account’s term. This type of savings account is ideal if base rate is expected to lower because the fixed rate will not change over the agreed period.
If base rate is set to rise, then it might be worthwhile holding off on a fixed rate account or opting for a variable rate, such as an easy access account.
Alternatively, if you are in the market for a new fixed savings product, it might be wise to hold off on any firm deals if the base rate will rise.
If you are in the market for a new mortgage, it is important to consider the base rate. Conversely to savings rates, a base rate rise generally means you will start spending more on the cost of your new home rather than save.
A fixed rate mortgage, which keeps the interest rate constant over a certain period, is often preferred when base rate is expected to rise. This is because, like a fixed rate bond, the interest will be locked in at a lower level.
Likewise, if base rate is expected to fall, a standard variable or tracker mortgage could be considered. A tracker mortgage will move more rigidly with the base rate decision, which helps provide consumers with more predictability in their payments.
A standard variable mortgage, on the other hand, is influenced by base rate to a lesser extent. When looking for a standard variable mortgage, initial rates are set according to the lender’s discretion, not directly in line with the base rate. Fixed term mortgages which expire generally revert to the bank’s standard variable rate, which is why they tend to be higher than other rates on the market.
The interest on the majority of loans is not directly linked to the base rate. That said, many lenders still review the interest rates on their loans after base rate movement.
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Disclaimer: This information is intended solely to provide guidance and is not financial advice. Moneyfacts will not be liable for any loss arising from your use or reliance on this information. If you are in any doubt, Moneyfacts recommends you obtain independent financial advice.
With so many types of savings accounts on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. That’s why we’ve made this handy guide.
With so many types of savings accounts on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. That’s why we’ve made this handy guide.
It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.
It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.
They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted as an alternative to the established banking giants?
They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted?
Savings platforms bring together selected savings accounts of many banks and building societies into one place for savers
Savings platforms bring together selected savings accounts of many banks and building societies into one place for savers
With so many types of savings accounts on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. That’s why we’ve made this handy guide.
With so many types of savings accounts on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. That’s why we’ve made this handy guide.
It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.
It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.
They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted as an alternative to the established banking giants?
They regularly top the savings charts and tend to have a reputation for offering great service too – but what is a challenger bank, and can they be trusted?
Savings platforms bring together selected savings accounts of many banks and building societies into one place for savers
Savings platforms bring together selected savings accounts of many banks and building societies into one place for savers
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Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.
Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will never contact you by phone to sell you any financial product. Any calls like this are not from Moneyfacts. Emails sent by Moneyfactscompare.co.uk will always be from news@moneyfacts-news.co.uk. Be ScamSmart.