Banks · checked 9 November 2026

What banks pay you right now

£381a year is the gap on £10,000 between the lowest big-bank easy-access rate we found (0.75%) and the top of the market (4.56%).

Facts, not recommendations. We aren’t paid by any bank and we don’t rank by who pays us. Rates and offers change often — checked 9 November 2026. Always read the provider’s terms before you open or switch an account.

Easy-access savings rates

Interest over a year if the rate stayed the same. “After inflation” compares it with CPI at 3.5%.

ProviderAccountAERInterest in a yearAfter inflation
Family Building Society
Market reference
Top easy-access rate, no bonus4.56%——
Chase
Online
Chase Saver (boosted) intro rate4.50%——
Starling
Online
Easy Saver intro rate4.00%——
Monzo
Online
Instant Access Savings2.80%——
Nationwide
Building society
Flex Instant Saver2.30%——
Santander
High street
Easy Access Saver (Issue 31)2.00%——
HSBC
High street
Flexible Saver1.05%——
Barclays
High street
Everyday Saver1.00%——
NatWest
High street
Flexible Saver1.00%——
Lloyds
High street
Easy Saver0.75%——
Revolut
Online
Instant Access Savings3.40%–4.00%——

Intro rates drop after the bonus period (6–12 months). Some rates apply only up to a limit, or need that bank’s current account. Tap a provider for the details.

TL;DRThe same savings can earn four to six times more at one bank than another — with exactly the same protection.

Who pays you to switch

BankBonusWhat you have to do
BarclaysUp to £300£150 when you switch with three direct debits and pay in £2,000 within 30 days, then £30 a month for up to five months if you make 10+ debit card payments a month.
Santander£240Switch to the Everyday account within 60 days, pay in £1,500, keep two active direct debits and pay £200 into a Regular Saver. Which? reports both £200 and £240 wording, so check Santander’s terms.
HSBC£220Full switch in the app; within 60 days set up two direct debits, pay in £2,000 and spend £500 on your debit card.
NatWest£200Full switch to Select or Reward; within 60 days pay in £1,250 and log in to the app. Not if you’ve had a NatWest Group switching bonus before.
Lloyds£200Full switch to Club Lloyds, Silver, Platinum or Premier with three direct debits. Start the switch by 9 December 2026.
Nationwide£175Switch from a non-Nationwide account with at least two direct debits, pay in £1,000 and make one debit card payment within 31 days.
First Direct£175Switch at least two direct debits or standing orders, deposit £1,000 within 30 days and log in to digital banking. Not for HSBC current account holders since 2018.

Switching uses the free Current Account Switch Service (CASS): your payments and direct debits move across in 7 working days.

TL;DRSome banks pay £175–£300 to move your current account to them. You only get it if you meet every condition.

£120,000is how much of your money the FSCS protects per person, per banking licence, if a UK bank fails. It rose from £85,000 on 1 December 2025.Bank of England
Sameprotection for online banks like Monzo, Starling and Chase as for high street banks, as long as they hold a UK banking licence.FSCS rules
7 daysfor a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service, with a guarantee that covers any mistakes.CASS

TL;DRUp to £120,000 is safe per person at each UK-licensed bank — online or high street, it’s the same.

Your 5-minute move

Check your own rate

Open your banking app and find the AER on your savings. If it’s under 3.5%, inflation is outpacing it.