🔔 🎃 Halloween Rates Rundown: Our trick or treat buckets have some nice items, but are not exactly overflowing…

There were a few treats for those knocking on the door of the savings providers this week, though not as large a haul as we would have liked.

In the easy access market, The Family Building Society was the latest provider to launch a competitive account, taking second position behind Marcus - which is still the provider to beat.

Amongst fixed rate bonds, OakNorth Bank was the busiest provider, taking second position in no less than three of our best buy tables early in the week. Nearing the end of the week, the provider launched another new version of its two year bond, claiming the top position.

Paragon made the key move in the fixed rate cash ISA arena this week, taking joint first place in our two year table.

Meanwhile, there was some rare news in a largely underused category – Cash Lifetime ISAs, with Newcastle Building Society launching a new market-leading account.

Elsewhere, there were fewer notable changes, though many of the key market leaders remained in place for at least another week. So, we thought we would take the opportunity to run through some of the best options currently available.

Read on for the lowdown on sharia fixed term accounts, variable rate cash ISAs and notice accounts to help you choose the right account for your savings.

For an overview of the whole savings market and to look at the top options in all categories, make sure you consult our independent best buy tables and if you want to keep up to date with best buy rates as they hit the market, sign up to our Rate Alert emails.

Easy Access

The Family Building Society was the latest provider to break into the top five, taking second position behind the seemingly implacable Marcus account.

Its Premium Saver (1) is paying a competitive rate of 1.45% gross/AER and can be opened online, in branch or by post with a minimum of £5,000.

One key point to be aware of however is that this account has a funding cut-off date. After the 7th December, no further funds can be added to the account – which would be an issue for those wanting to add to their savings on an ongoing basis.

As mentioned previously, Marcus by Goldman Sachs is still sitting pretty at the top of the table, paying 1.49% gross/1.50% AER.

The rate does include a small bonus of 0.15% for the first 12 months, so you may need to review things after the first year.

Further information on both of these accounts and the rest of the current top five can be found in our easy access best buy table.

Fixed Rate Bonds

A provider that makes regular changes to its fixed rate range, OakNorth was active again this week, this time scoring a hat-trick of new best buys.

The new versions of the provider’s two year bond (2.27% gross/AER) three year bond (2.38% gross/AER) and four year bond (2.41% gross/AER) are all in second position in the respective tables.

Subsequently, in a late play, OakNorth launched a new version of its two year bond, paying 2.30% gross/AER, claiming the leading position.

Shawbrook Bank still leads the way in our one year (2.03% gross/AER) best buy table, while Tandem maintains its grip on top position for three years (2.40% gross/AER).

Amongst longer term bonds, Ikano Bank is top for four years (2.45% gross/AER) and Ikano Bank and Close Brothers share top spot in our five year table, with both providers paying 2.70% gross/AER.

For full information on each of these accounts and for a range of other options, please refer to our full fixed rate bond best buy tables.

Fixed Rate Cash ISAs

One of the main changes this week came in the two year table, with Paragon joining Bank of Cyprus UK* at the top, with both providers paying 1.82% tax free/AER.

Elsewhere, Bank of Cyprus UK* also leads the three year table, albeit jointly again - this time with Charter Savings Bank - both paying 1.91% tax free/AER.

For those looking at a shorter term, Paragon and Post Office Money jointly lead the way for one year, both paying 1.55% tax free/AER.

Then at the other end of the term scale, Shawbrook Bank pays the top rate for five years - 2.25% tax free/AER.

To view our top five accounts across the full range of terms, please refer to our full fixed rate cash ISA best buy tables.

Cash Lifetime ISAs

A rare mention in the rundown for this category, with few providers really paying much attention to this type of ISA.

New this week is Newcastle Building Society’s Cash Lifetime ISA, paying 1.10% gross/1.11% AER – the top rate available, albeit in a field of just three accounts!

Both Skipton Building Society and Nottingham Building Society pay 1.00% on their own offerings.

Of course, with a Government bonus available of 25% for eligible savers, the interest rate is really the icing on the cake – but it is still worth looking to get as high a return as possible.

To find out more about Lifetime ISAs, download our free factsheet.

Sharia Fixed Term Accounts

If you are looking for an alternative fixed term account, Sharia accounts may be worth considering.

BLME continues to hold the top spot with its five year Premier Deposit Account, paying 2.70% gross/AER*.

If you’re looking for shorter terms, Al Rayan is paying 2.40% gross/AER for three years and BLME pays 2.05% gross/AER for one year*.

Al Rayan Bank continues to lead the way with its fixed term cash ISAs, paying 1.60% tax free/AER on its one year account and 1.80% tax free/AER for two years.

Please refer to our sharia fixed term accounts best buy table for more information on the accounts above and read our recent article for more on sharia accounts and how they work.

Variable Rate Cash ISAs

Few changes to report here this week, as Charter Savings Bank continues to lead the way, paying 1.40% tax free/AER on its 95 day notice account - a permanent fixture in our table it seems.

If you are looking for a straightforward easy access account, Leeds Building Society is the top pick, paying 1.38% tax free/AER – not far behind Charter.

For further information on these accounts and to see how the rest of the top five stacks up, please refer to our variable rate cash ISA best buy table.

Notice Accounts

For those looking for something a bit different, a higher return without tying money up for a longer term, notice accounts may be worth taking a closer look at.

Charter Savings Bank leads the way, paying 1.81% gross/AER on its 95 day notice account.

Next in line is OakNorth, paying 1.77% gross/AER on its 90 day notice account. 

For further information on these accounts and the rest of our top five, please refer to our notice account best buy table.

If you would like any help with your savings, why not give one of our Bath-based experts a call on 0800 011 9705, we’d love to hear from you.

*We are occasionally paid by some providers if you click through from our Best Buy Tables and open a savings or current account with them. We will never accept a payment that compromises in any way our independent, whole of market approach to providing information on savings products. For clarity we will indicate those companies who remunerate us with an asterisk (*).

You might also like...