Compare savings & investments

Compare Savings & Investments?

Have you been thinking about saving money for the future? Getting a savings account will give you a secure space to help your savings grow. Whether you want a deposit for a house, money for a new car or are financing a home improvement, putting money into a savings account will help you to afford your aspirations.

Finding the best savings account for you all depends on why you need to save money. It could be for a significant purchase you wish to save up for, like a car or a home deposit. On the other hand, you could be saving for one of your children so they can have access to extra money when they’re old enough to use it. Or, you could be a business owner looking to put some money aside for future investment back into the company.

There are many different types of savings account on offer with a whole range of providers to choose from. We’ve got all the information you might need on finding the right savings account here, so you can make an informed decision before you apply.

Which is a savings account?

A savings account is a secure space where you can keep additional money you would like to save for the future. It works like a current account but with a larger interest rate, meaning that you will earn money on top of your savings by keeping funds in the account.

You will usually have to make an initial deposit, but savers will often keep adding to the account every month, usually by setting up a standing order that will transfer a nominated amount from an existing bank account to your savings account. This will help you save money over months and even years, until you have a much larger amount you can then use to make a significant purchase.

How does a savings account work?

Savings accounts will allow you to put money aside, keeping it separate from your main bank account so it won’t be spent on monthly expenses and can instead be kept safe.

All savings accounts come with an interest rate, which is the amount you will earn on a monthly or annual basis by keeping your money in the account. If you keep on adding to your savings every month, you can often end up with a pot of money which you can then use at a later date.

Amongst the various types of savings accounts, there are three main distinguishable types that will indicate how you are able to withdraw your money, once you’re happy to dip into your savings account:

• Easy Access/Instant Access – you can withdraw whenever you like
• Notice – you will have to wait an agreed ‘notice period’ before you can withdraw
• Fixed Rate – you are required to keep your savings untouched for a longer period. Once this set period has finished, you can withdraw whenever you like

Each option will suit a different sort of saver, but you will find that the longer you can leave your savings untouched, the higher your interest rate will be, giving you a better return overall. There are also savings accounts such as Peer to Peer and Innovative Finance ISAs that include a small amount of risk, but will give you a much higher interest rate.

What types of savings & investments are available?

Bear in mind that your savings account should be first and foremost, a secure space to store additional funds for the future. Whilst your money is sitting in the account though, it can earn interest, giving you an additional bonus on top when you decide to withdraw it.:

It’s always worth comparing different types of savings account to see which one might suit you. Each one will have a certain benefit, but there may be specific terms that you need to follow in order to get a better interest rate, and therefore a better return.

You can choose from the following savings accounts:

• Stocks & Shares ISA
• Easy access savings account
• Instant Aaccess savings account
• Fixed rate savings account
• Cash ISA
• Children’s savings account
• Notice savings account
• Peer to peer Investments
• Innovative finance ISA
• Business savings account

If you would like more detailed information about each different type of savings account, use the links above. Taking a look at our comparison tables will also give you a good idea of what savings accounts are available for you.