🔔 Rates Rundown: The start of the new year brings with it an influx of new savings accounts…

With the festive period rapidly disappearing from the rear-view mirror, we speed into the new year with best buy accounts coming thick and fast.

The spate began this week in the fixed rate cash ISA market, with a new market-leader and then continued through to the variable rate ISA table where we saw the leading rate change hands multiple times.

The improvements then swept across the easy access market where we have a new market-leader, albeit by a fine margin.

Finally, further changes came across our fixed rate bond tables, although the market-leaders remain unchanged.

Fixed Rate ISAs

Post Office Money propelled itself to the top spot in our 1 year fixed rate cash ISA table this week with the launch of a new version of its Online ISA.

The latest issue pays 1.45% tax free/AER just edging Virgin Money from the throne.

Post Office also launched a new issue of its 2 year Online ISA, which sits comfortably within our top five (paying 1.60% tax free/AER).

As the name suggests, both of these accounts are only available to open online and can also provide a home for previously accrued ISA funds, as transfers in are accepted.

Meanwhile, Charter Savings Bank and United Trust Bank continue to reign over the three and five year tables paying 1.86% tax free/AER and 2.20% tax free/AER respectively.

For more information on these accounts and alternatives available, refer to our fixed rate cash ISA best buy tables.

Variable Rate ISAs

We have seen a number of improvements among easy access cash ISAs this week, and again Post Office Money was at the forefront.

The provider took the lead early this week with its new issue Online ISA, but just a day later, Sainsbury’s Bank launched its Cash ISA account joining Post Office at the top, both paying 1.15% tax free/AER.

However, not to be outdone, AA launched its own easy access ISA, trumping both by just 0.01%.

Sainsbury’s Bank’s Cash ISA perhaps stands out from the trio, as you can also apply via the telephone as well as online, and is the only one which doesn’t include a bonus.

To view more details on these accounts and other leading rates, please refer to our variable rate cash ISA best buy table.

Easy Access Accounts

AA again stands strong in this category, with another market-leading rate on offer.

The provider’s newly launched Easy Saver Issue 6 – paying 1.32% gross/AER tops the table, albeit by just 0.02%.

Although leading the market, it is crucial to be wary of the bonus of 1.12% included for the first 12 months, as after this point, the rate will reduce greatly.

We continue to see the eminent Freedom Savings Account from RCI Bank* hold the top rate for a bonus free easy access account.

For more information on the current top-paying accounts, please take a look at our easy access best buy table.

Fixed Rate Bonds

Post Office Money launched a new version of its 1 year Online Bond which gives the provider second position in our best buy tables.

This new offering paying 1.78% gross/AER sits just shy of the market-leading rate from Investec Bank, paying 1.80% gross/AER. The Post Office also offers a monthly interest option of 1.76%.

For more details and the full range of options, take a look at our fixed rate bond best buy tables.

For more information on any of the accounts above or for other options, call our Bath-based Savings Experts on 0800 011 9705. We’d love to hear from you.