The personal finance arm of Saga Insurance has just brought out a new interest rate guarantee for their online savings account.
The online savings account is now guaranteed to offer an interest rate that will always be with a quarter of a percent of the top 5 variable rate accounts average. Saga Insurance personal finance division has calculated that the average rate as it stands is 6.25 percent gross, working out to 6.43 percent AER.
New customers can sign up to the new savings account online at the Saga Insurance website, whilst existing online savings account customers will see their interest rates changed automatically. The account only needs a deposit of one pound to open and as such offers an extremely attractive rate.
A new Halifax savings account, offering an outstanding 10 percent interest rate for regular savers will be made available for a limited period of just 6 weeks, beginning on Monday.
The stand alone savings account requires a minimum monthly deposit of GBP500 each month to qualify and will also pay out an extra 2 percent interest should the customer place an extra GBP5,000 in a specified Halifax savings account. This would add up to 12 percent AER, something that the savings market does not normally see.
A Halifax spokesman stood by this market leading savings account and supported the way it promotes the habit of regular saving. It is a key part of consumers financial planning and this level of interest certainly gets attention.
The Abbey National has announced a reduction in the interest rates offered on several of its savings accounts, with cuts of 0.25 percent to match the recent base rate cut by the Bank of England.
Commencing on 1 May all Abbey National savings accounts with the exception of the eSaver Direct, Super 50 Plus and 50 Plus Saver will have the 0.25 percent cut on their rates. These ones mentioned will keep their rates as they were.
The Abbey National savings and investments director said that although the rates had been reduced on their accounts it was important to have a savings plan in place, especially in the current economic climate. It is a very competitive market and Abbey are committed to doing the best for their customers.