The Top Fixed Interest Savings Discussion Area

ab56

Close Brothers Savings

We have a couple of accounts with them and have opened and managed them via their online website (no app involvement).

karlxvii

The fixed-rate savings market appears to be in flux right now, with rates gradually declining but still holding relatively strong around 4.5-4.7% for 1-year fixes. What's striking is how quickly providers are adjusting their offerings-HTB's 4.81% 6-month fix disappeared during website maintenance, and multiple users report rates dropping overnight. The flattening yield curve (similar rates across different term lengths) suggests uncertainty about future interest rate movements.

I'm particularly intrigued by Oxbury's customer loyalty approach, offering existing customers preferential rates-a refreshing contrast to banks like Charter that penalize loyalty. The QIB rate discrepancy via Raisin (4.55% vs 4.7%) highlights how important it is to screenshot offers and confirm terms before funding accounts.

For anyone looking to maximize returns in this environment, I'd suggest opening accounts with generous funding windows (like Gatehouse's 30 days) to secure current rates while maintaining flexibility. The upcoming Zopa fixed-term pots could introduce welcome competition, potentially slowing the downward trend. For non-tech-savvy savers, confirming whether providers require smartphone access (like Oxbury) or can be managed entirely via website (like Close Brothers) seems increasingly important as banks push toward mobile-first approaches.

refluxer

karlxvii said:
The upcoming Zopa fixed-term pots could introduce welcome competition, potentially slowing the downward trend.

Zopa have offered fixed term savings accounts for years, although these have been as separate accounts rather than as part of the Smart Saver account via their 'pot' system. I guess account application will be a bit easier for anyone already holding a Smart Saver but I can't think of any other obvious advantages as fixed accounts are very restrictive by their very nature.

It's been a long time since their Access and Notice pots or fixed term accounts have been competitive, so it'll be interesting to see if they launch these new fixed pots with good rates to attract new business.  

slinger2

DF Capital have trimmed some of their rates for "Existing Eligible Customers" only a week or so after their previous cuts. 1 year down to 4.35% from 4.50%, 18 month now 4.40% from 4.45%.

gt94sss2

Nationwide Member Exclusive Online Bond

5% AER/gross a year for 18 months on balances up to £10,000. 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/member-exclusive-bond/

Sea_Shell

gt94sss2 said:

Nationwide Member Exclusive Online Bond

5% AER/gross a year for 18 months on balances up to £10,000. 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/member-exclusive-bond/

I have to pop out now, but can you make multiple deposits within the first 14 days, before the funding window closes?   

gt94sss2

Sea_Shell said:

gt94sss2 said:

Nationwide Member Exclusive Online Bond

5% AER/gross a year for 18 months on balances up to £10,000. 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/member-exclusive-bond/

I have to pop out now, but can you make multiple deposits within the first 14 days, before the funding window closes?   

Yes, you can

ColdIron

Sea_Shell said:

gt94sss2 said:

Nationwide Member Exclusive Online Bond

5% AER/gross a year for 18 months on balances up to £10,000. 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/member-exclusive-bond/

I have to pop out now, but can you make multiple deposits within the first 14 days, before the funding window closes? 

Yes but, as you would expect, each payment won't earn interest until deposited. Best not to open the account until you have (at least some of) the money and also deposit sooner rather than later. The clock starts ticking upon account opening

• Interest will only start to be paid from the day we receive funds into the account, so it’s a good idea to pay money into the account as soon as you can. For example, if you don’t pay money into your account until day 14, in the first year you’ll only get interest for 351 days, rather than 365 days.

Sea_Shell

ColdIron said:

Sea_Shell said:

gt94sss2 said:

Nationwide Member Exclusive Online Bond

5% AER/gross a year for 18 months on balances up to £10,000. 

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/member-exclusive-bond/

I have to pop out now, but can you make multiple deposits within the first 14 days, before the funding window closes? 

Yes but, as you would expect, each payment won't earn interest until deposited. Best not to open the account until you have (at least some of) the money and also deposit sooner rather than later. The clock starts ticking upon account opening

• Interest will only start to be paid from the day we receive funds into the account, so it’s a good idea to pay money into the account as soon as you can. For example, if you don’t pay money into your account until day 14, in the first year you’ll only get interest for 351 days, rather than 365 days.

That runs the risk of them pulling it though 😉

Pompeydave1967

Just fixed up a chunk of £££ with Atom 5 year @ 4.4% , it’s a gamble but considering current climate reckon it’s worth it. Any thoughts ?