If you’ve got some spare cash sitting around in a high street bank savings account, now might be a good time to move it to somewhere more rewarding.
Savings rates are on the increase due to the middle east conflict, meaning you can still earn up to 4.30% interest and have immediate access to your savings balance in case you need it for an unexpected expense.
If you’re happy to give a few months notice to access your cash, then the rates are equally competitive with the current best buy 95 days notice deal from OakNorth Bank paying 4.12%.
These savings rates may well edge higher this year with experts predicting that the Bank of England will increase rates further before the end of 2026.
To bag the highest rates it means locking your cash away for a term of between 1-5 years – just be sure you won’t need access to your cash as once you sign up you can’t get your hands on it until it matures.
Opening a new account is very quick and straightforward if you do it online – once you’ve got your account open, switch the funds from your old bank and you’ll be earning a decent rate straight away. (Rates correct as at 19th May 2026).
Spring 4.30% – Special Edition Easy Access
Yorkshire Building Society 4.20% – Triple Access Saver
Vida Savings 4.16%-Double Access Savings
Close Brothers Savings 4.10% – 95 days notice
OakNorth Bank 4.12% – 95 days notice
Close Brothers Savings – 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond 4.73%
Hampshire Trust Bank – 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond 4.76%
Deposits with the above providers are protected up to a total of £120,000 per individual by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK’s deposit protection scheme
