Savings accounts 'act now' warning to lock in high interest rates on your pots (2024)

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Currently, a number of major players are offering one-year fixed-rate savings bonds paying 5.2 percent or more.

By Rory Poulter, Personal Finance Reporter

Bank of England’s interest rate decision discussed by expert

Savers are being urged to lock into high earning savings accounts before they are snatched away.

A number are currently paying 5 percent and more, which is more than double the current CPI inflation rate of 2 percent.

However, these relatively good deals are set to be removed once the Bank of England begins to cut the base rate, which is expected in August or September.

Mark Hicks, a savings expert at investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “This is a window of opportunity for savers, so now is the time to clamber in and grab a decent rate before it closes.”

Lucinda O’Brien, of the comparison website money.co.uk told the Guardian: “Now is the time to act, before it’s too late.”

READ MORE Interest rates warning issued as Lloyds chief spells out grim future

Savings accounts 'act now' warning to lock in high interest rates on your pots (2)

Good deals are set to be removed once the Bank of England begins to cut the base rate (Image: Getty)

Currently, a number of major players are offering one-year fixed-rate savings bonds paying 5.2 percent or more.

These include the My Community Bank credit union and Union Bank of India (UK), both paying 5.22 percent; Vanquis Bank, offering 5.21 percent; and Close Brothers Savings, paying 5.2 percent. However, this is a fast-changing picture and these are unlikely to last.

These require a minimum deposit of £1,000, except Close Brothers Savings, which requires £10,000 to open an account.

Sarah Coles, the head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that while you can earn the most interest with a one-year fixed-rate account, it might be wise to consider a two year fix.

“You could consider tying up any cash you don’t need for two years, and making the most of the great rates while they’re around,” she said.

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    Savings accounts 'act now' warning to lock in high interest rates on your pots (3)

    This is a really sensible time to consider locking in a fixed rate (Image: Getty)

    Last week, the highest-paying two-year fixed-rate savings bonds were those offered by Vanquis Bank and Close Brothers Savings, paying 5.06 percent on minimum balances of £1,000 and £10,000 respectively.

    Other providers offering two-year fixed savings accounts boasting best-buy rates included Hodge Bank (4.97 percent), Market Harborough building society (4.95 percent), and Atom Bank (4.9 percent). The minimum deposits for these are £1,000, £10,000 and £50 respectively.

    Sarah Coles said: “This is a really sensible time to consider locking in a fixed rate.

    “By the middle of next year (rates) are forecast to be 4.5 percent, and by the middle of 2026 they are expected to hit 4 percent.”

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    Savings accounts 'act now' warning to lock in high interest rates on your pots (2024)

    FAQs

    Savings accounts 'act now' warning to lock in high interest rates on your pots? ›

    Savers are being urged to lock into high earning savings accounts before they are snatched away. A number are currently paying 5 percent and more, which is more than double the current CPI inflation rate of 2 percent.

    Can I lock in my savings account interest rate? ›

    CDs also allow you to lock in an interest rate, so it will stay the same even if market rates drop. But there's a trade-off in flexibility because a CD requires you to leave the money in the account for the full term.

    Are high interest savings accounts locked in? ›

    The good news is that leading high-yield savings accounts offer a significantly higher return, with rates on some of the best high-yield savings accounts that can be 10 times higher or more compared to regular accounts. And, you don't have to lock your money away for months or years to access these rates.

    How high will savings interest rates go in 2024? ›

    According to the Summary of Economic Projections, the Fed may implement up to three 25-basis point interest rate cuts in 2024—bringing the federal funds rate closer to 4.60%.

    How long will interest rates stay high on savings accounts? ›

    The CME FedWatch Tool shows that there is a high likelihood that the Fed could start cutting rates as soon as September. Ultimately, average savings rates will also likely begin to drop more toward the end of 2024, with some individual banks deciding to decrease rates more quickly than others.

    Is it worth locking in interest rates now? ›

    Locking in early can help you get what you were budgeting for from the start. As long as you close before your rate lock expires, any increase in rates won't affect you. The ideal time to lock your mortgage rate is when interest rates are at their lowest, but this is hard to predict — even for the experts.

    Which bank gives 7% interest on savings? ›

    As of August 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts. Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts: Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking with 7.50% APY and OnPath Credit Union High Yield Checking with 7.00% APY.

    Can you lose money on a high-yield savings account? ›

    Losing money in a high-yield savings account is rare, but it can happen. If you're looking for safe ways to grow your money and protect your savings, a high-yield savings account (HYSA) can be a great option.

    Should I lock my savings account? ›

    A term deposit is a type of savings account where you lock the money into the account for a certain time and interest rate. It's possible to earn higher interest if you lock the money away for longer, and it's a little harder to access your money and spend it.

    Is there a catch with high interest savings accounts? ›

    Some disadvantages of a high-yield savings account include few withdrawal options, limitations on how many monthly withdrawals you can make, and no access to a branch network if you need it. But for most people, these aren't major issues.

    Can you get 6% on a CD? ›

    You can find certificates of deposit (CDs) with rates as high as 6%. However, these rates are currently only available through credit unions and not traditional banks. Typically, these high 6% CD rates come with maturities of 12 months or less. Pros of a 6% CD include locked-in interest rates and high returns.

    Will CD rates go up in 2024? ›

    CD rate forecast: 2024

    The Fed kept its rate the same after its fifth meeting of 2024 on July 30-31. Projections suggest that we'll see no rate increases in 2024, and that the Fed will likely drop its rate for the first time this year in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool on July 31.

    What is the interest rate forecast for the next 5 years? ›

    Projected Interest Rates In The Next Five Years

    ING's interest rate predictions indicate 2024 rates starting at 4%, with subsequent cuts to 3.75% in the second quarter. Then, 3.5% in the third, and 3.25% in the final quarter of 2024. In 2025, ING predicts a further decline to 3%.

    How much should you keep in a high interest savings account? ›

    A high-yield savings account can be a great place to store your emergency savings. Most experts suggest that you should keep between three and six months' worth of expenses in your emergency account at all times.

    Where is usually the best place to put your money if you want to earn as much as possible? ›

    CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and money market funds are the best places to keep your cash when it comes to interest rates. Treasury bills currently offer attractive yields at the lowest risk. Learn how they compare in terms of yield, liquidity, and guarantees.

    Which bank has the highest CD rates? ›

    The highest certificates of deposit (CDs) rates today are offered by Merchants Bank of Indiana (5.92%), First Federal of Lakewood (5.61%), Maries County Bank (5.51%) and Shoreham Bank (5.50%). You can see the full list of the highest-paying CDs here.

    Can you lock in an interest rate? ›

    A lock-in or rate lock on a mortgage loan means that your interest rate won't change between the offer and closing, as long as you close within the specified time frame and there are no changes to your application. Mortgage interest rates can change daily, sometimes hourly.

    Does lock savings account earn interest? ›

    M-Shwari lock savings interest is earned daily but paid out monthly into the lock savings account. How does one access the Lock Savings Account Menu? How do I Open and Save into Lock Savings Account? You will receive an SMS confirmation that your Lock Savings Account has been set up.

    Can you lock money in your savings? ›

    A savings account doesn't lock your money, but it restricts how often you withdraw each month. A CD, on the other hand, locks you out of accessing your funds for a set period and, in exchange, offers high rates, which are also locked in at the time of opening.

    How much does it cost to lock in interest rates? ›

    The charge for a rate lock could range from 0.25% to 0.5% of the amount of your mortgage. For example, on a mortgage loan of $450,000, a 0.25% rate lock deposit would be $1,125.

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