The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

Pensionable

How is it possible that AIB (IofM) are able to offer an interest rate of 2.90 % Gross on BOTH their Sterling and Euro Privilege Demand Accounts? This is well in excess of any other instant access account from any other bank in either currency. In fact there are very few banks that offer Euro savings accounts at all and those that do have derisory interest rates. When something like this sounds too good to be true I am always a touch sceptical, particularly as the bank is currently in such a dire state. Is this a safe investment and for how long?

junkmail42

It's not a great deal more than NatWest (2.89% incl. bonus). Just switch after a year.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/savings-accounts-best-interest#easy

david.higson1

MillsBTRS wrote: »

Hey

First time poster.

Getting towards the ISA limit and was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for a decent savings account.

Been looking at AA, santander, and various others within the paper, and i am loking for one that has easy transfer online from other accounts and also that may provide a card for an online aco!!!! and easy access, but more importantly...good rates

try the 90 day northern rock branch saver 90 account paying 2% net

2010

http://www.theaa.com/savings/savings_calculator.jsp

This is paying 2.8% but only for 12 months then you have to look elsewhere when it drops to half a per cent.

paulhasissues

Halifax pays 2.6 and there no bonus, so that might be a better option if you can't be bothered with remembering to switch

2010

paulhasissues wrote: »

Halifax pays 2.6 and there no bonus, so that might be a better option if you can't be bothered with remembering to switch

2.8% if you have a qualifying account such as a current.
Also you can only make ONE penalty free withdrawal in a year.

Halfpenny

I currently have a citi bank online saver, to which I make deposits by electronic transfer. Looking into the top instant access online savings accounts, both appear to have drawbacks. Natwest's terms and conditions seem to suggest deposits can only be made by cash or cheque or via another Natwest account. The AA seem to want a direct debit set up linked to my current account. This all seems excessive just to deposit savings flexibly by electronic transfer, is it actually complicated in practice and should I persevere?

rb10

Halfpenny wrote: »

Looking into the top instant access online savings accounts, both appear to have drawbacks. Natwest's terms and conditions seem to suggest deposits can only be made by cash or cheque or via another Natwest account.

The 'Common Questions' part of their site does say the following:

Natwest wrote:

How do I make a deposit?
It's easy, once you have your account details you can pay money in by electronic transfer from any NatWest or UK bank account. You can also set up a standing order

... but this is Natwest, so it's not exactly a reliable source (they frequently make mistakes!).

Note that if you do open this account, there is much confusion over the date that the bonus starts. It appears that it only starts from the 15th of the month after the month in which you open the account (despite the fact that the website claims that it's for the first 12 months - but see the other thread in this forum if you want to read a lot on the topic!).

Halfpenny wrote: »

The AA seem to want a direct debit set up linked to my current account. This all seems excessive just to deposit savings flexibly by electronic transfer, is it actually complicated in practice and should I persevere?

I have an AA Internet Extra account. The DD is set up there, so you can pay money in that way, but you can also just make payments directly from your bank account as and when you like.

Customer service from the AA is excellent ... from Natwest it tends to be pretty shaky.

Although the Natwest account does have the advantage of having Faster Payments both in and out. The AA has FP in, but withdrawals take two working days.

LGG_2

i opened an AA account a month or 2 ago. very easy to open. no hassle at all. website is easy to use aswell.

sjl1971

We have just sold our house, and have £55,000 profit from the proceeds. We have just returned from the USA, and are locked into renting until next Summer on a 12 month lease. My husband earns over the £44,000 higher tax bracket, and I do not work at the moment. What would be the best way to invest this money, as we do not want to lock it away, but we want it to earn some interest in the meantime? All ideas gratefully received!