Savings Features

Savings accounts - what's in a name?

Do you really know what you earn on your savings accounts? If so, is it the best interest rate return you can achieve for your money or have you been sidelined, left behind to languish on a lower rate while a super duper Mark 2 version of the account offers a better deal to newer savers? It seems that savers are being mislead (intentionally?) by certain banks in their zeal to attract cash in these credit crunching times.

Plan your tax-efficient ISA savings for this year now

Saving in an ISA (individual savings account) is one tax break too good to miss out on. We are now a couple of weeks in to the new tax year. Traditionally the so-called "ISA season" is at the end of the tax year, as savers and investors rush to take up the tax allowance before they lose it for good once the year-end has passed. However, it makes a lot of sense to save from the beginning of the year because you get a whole year's extra tax saving by doing it that way.

Can you really get up to 12% interest on your savings?

These past months lack of liquidity in the lending market has meant that banks and building societies have been desperate to attract cash deposits, hence the mouth-watering offers to savers. Interest rates on offer, despite a falling base rate are reported to be at seven-year highs; the last time savers could choose from such a wide range of accounts paying 6.5% or more was back in 2001.

Why wait? Take advantage of attractive ISA rates now!

Cash ISAs keep some of your hard-earned cash out of reach of the taxman, paying interest tax-free. The current combination of high rates and an increased allowance is great news for savers. H

Bumper returns for savers as banks battle for cash

While borrowers purse-strings are being stretched, savers can take advantage of an array of attractive rates as banks appeal to cash depositors to raise funds. But remember, the Bank of England is slashing the base rate, and restrictions can apply to these accounts, so it pays the check the small print carefully before choosing a home for your cash.