Easy-access savings rates drift below 4% as base rate cuts bite
Average easy-access savings rates fell to 3.8% as banks passed on this year's Bank Rate cuts, although the best buys still pay over 4.5%.
By Money Guide editorial team
Published:
Easy-access savings rates have continued to drift down through 2026, with the average rate now at around 3.8% according to Bank of England figures. Best-buy easy-access accounts from challenger banks still pay over 4.5%, however, with the gap to high-street averages widening.
Fixed-rate bonds remain the highest payers for savers willing to lock money away. One-year fixes are available at over 4.6% and two-year fixes at around 4.5%. Five-year fixes have eased to around 4.4% as expectations for further rate cuts solidify.
Cash ISAs continue to track non-ISA equivalents closely. Savers with substantial taxable interest (over £1,000 for basic-rate taxpayers, £500 for higher-rate, £0 for additional-rate) are likely to benefit from the ISA's tax shelter even if the headline rate is slightly lower.
Switching savings provider once or twice a year remains one of the highest-return uses of an hour of admin available to UK consumers.