Best savings rates - National Savings

Why these are the web's best savings tables: they are completely independent and unique...

Accounts with catches are stripped out or shown separatelyCompiled by savings expert Sylvia Morris (see below) Unlike other web tables, providers do not have to pay to appear.Also: Easy access |Fixed-rates |ISAs | Monthly income|Junior ISAs | 50+

NATIONAL SAVINGS & INVESTMENTSAccountRateFixed/VariableNotice/TermTax Position (1) Interest paid monthly Investment Account 0.75 V No notice Interest paid gross but still taxable Income Bond 1.75 V(1) No notice Interest paid gross but still taxable Direct Isa 2.25 V none Tax-free Direct Saver (2) 1.50 V No notice Interest paid gross but still taxable Children's Bonds Issue 35 2.50 F 5 yr Tax-free

All our best savings rates tables... 

General savings (internet, branch-based)Fixed-rate accountsPhone/postal accountsBest cash IsasJunior Isas and children's savings accountsChild Trust Funds (CTFs)National SavingsMonthly income savings accountsOffshore accountsAccounts for older savers (50+)

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Dear Reader,

These tables are unique on the web. They are independent and providers are not forced to pay to appear, which is typically the case at big comparison sites.

Sylvia Morris

They are completely unbiased - we simply show the best rates around and don't do 'featured deals'.

We've gone a step further, too. To feature in the best buys on variable rate accounts in our savings tables, an account must give you easy access to your money and come with no hidden catches.

In the past we have refused to include accounts where the rate is boosted by a short-term bonus or those with over-restrictive conditions so you only earn the advertised rate if you make three or less withdrawals a year.

But with interest rates so low, most of today's best deals have some sort of clause built in, whether that's a bonus or a restriction on withdrawals.

For that reason, we've included decent bonuses as long as they last for at least 12 months. This is to avoid your having to switch your account too often when short-term bonuses run out.

If there is a restriction on withdrawals we have made this clear in the notes on each account.

We also ignore old-style 'notice' accounts where the bank or building society can demand you give up to six months' notice that you want to take our money out while it can change the rate at any time without warning.

All banks and building societies are registered with the Financial Services Authority and signed up to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, either directly (protecting up to £85,000) or via its passport scheme (where the compensation limit depends on the bank's home country. In Europe it is €100,000).

Sylvia Morris, This is Money savings tables expert

If you have a question about the tables email sy.morris@dailymail.co.uk and editor@thisismoney.co.uk

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