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 Do you know how safe your savings are? Should you choose a fixed rate or a bonus rate? Our useful savings guides could help you to make the most of your money.
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Latest savings commentary

Inflation all wrapped up

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 01 February 2012

Recent weeks have provided confirmation of the interest rate status quo from the Bank of England along with the release of the latest inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics. Combi... Read more

Savings vs Inflation

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 29 November 2011

With so much uncertainty surrounding what will happen to inflation in the future, we review the current range of savings plans and see how their returns stack up against the rising cost of living. F... Read more

What will happen to inflation

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 November 2011

With the spotlight well and truly on inflation, we take a look at the latest events that will have an impact on its future and consider what this might mean for savers. Bank of England holds firm Th... Read more

Latest banking news

Inflation all wrapped up

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 01 February 2012

Recent weeks have provided confirmation of the interest rate status quo from the Bank of England along with the release of the latest inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics. Combi... Read more

Inflation and interest rates - what it means for you

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 01 February 2012

In the last fortnight we have had a further vote on the base rate by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee as well as the revised inflation figures released by the Office for Nationa... Read more

Savings vs Inflation

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 29 November 2011

With so much uncertainty surrounding what will happen to inflation in the future, we review the current range of savings plans and see how their returns stack up against the rising cost of living. F... Read more

Latest investment commentary

What lies in store in 2012

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 January 2012

2011 has certainly been a year of strong themes which have dramatically shaped the market as well as the opportunities available for savers and investors. We take a look at what these have been and ... Read more

A review of the FTSE in 2011 and what we can learn

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 10 January 2012

The FTSE is one of the most important indicators of investment performance and acts as a key benchmark for many investors in the UK. For this reason we take a look back at 2011 and review what happe... Read more

Our Top 10 most popular plans in 2011

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 09 January 2012

With 2012 well underway, there is already a competitive range of plans available across a wide number of plan types, whether you are looking for traditional savings routes, investments with the pote... Read more

1 Year Bonds

Compare 1 Year Fixed Rate Bonds

1 Year Bonds are a good way of saving if you can only lock your money for the short term. They carry a fixed rate for 12 months, and usually have restricted access for that period, allowing the cash to grow and produce competitive returns at maturity. We've made it easy to see the different terms and rates available for 1 year bonds in the comparison table below:

1 Year Fixed Rate Bonds
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
3.60%1 YearApply Now >
3.60% Gross/AER fixed for 1 year. Deposit from £1,000. No maximum deposit.
3.30%1 YearApply Now >
Earn 3.30% gross/AER fixed for 1 year. £2,000 minimum deposit. Penalty for withdrawal before the end of the term. Interest paid monthly or on maturity.
3.20%1 YearApply Now >
3.00% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.20% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing customers only. Deposit £5,000 - £500,000. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
3.20%1 YearApply Now >
3.00% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.20% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing customers only. Deposit £5,000 - £500,000. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
up to
2.90%		1 YearApply Now >
Earn 2.90% Gross/AER when you save £50,000 or more. Earn 2.65% on balances from £1-£49,999.
2.25%1 YearApply Now >
2.25% Gross/AER fixed for 1 year. No additional deposits or withdrawals. Enter the Halifax Savers Prize Draw for a chance to win £100,000 or one of a thousand smaller prizes.
Features of 1 year bonds can include:

  • Minimum deposit 
  • Fixed rate for one year
  • Guaranteed return on your savings
  • Interest paid monthly or annually
  • A charge for withdrawals

Compare deals in our simple 1 year bonds table, or see below for other options.  

Fixed Rate Bond Selection
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
4.60%5 YearsApply Now >
Interest paid either Annually at 4.60% Gross/AER, Quarterly at 4.52% Gross or Monthly at 4.50% Gross. Minimum Deposit £10,000.
4.00%3 YearsApply Now >
Interest paid annually at 4.00% (gross), quarterly at 3.94% (gross), or monthly at 3.93% (gross). Minimum Deposit £10,000.
3.60%1 YearApply Now >
3.60% Gross/AER fixed for 1 year. Deposit from £1,000. No maximum deposit.
Short Term Fixed Rate Bonds (0-2 years)
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
3.75%2 YearsApply Now >
3.75% Gross/AER fixed for 2 years. No additional deposits or withdrawals. Enter the Halifax Savers Prize Draw for a chance to win £100,000 or one of a thousand smaller prizes.
3.70%2 YearsApply Now >
3.40% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.70% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing Customers Only. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
3.70%2 YearsApply Now >
3.40% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.70% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing customers only. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
3.60%1 YearApply Now >
3.60% Gross/AER fixed for 1 year. Deposit from £1,000. No maximum deposit.
3.50%2 YearApply Now >
Earn 3.50% gross/AER fixed for 2 years. £2,000 minimum deposit. Penalty for withdrawal before the end of the term. Interest paid monthly or on maturity.
3.30%1 YearApply Now >
Earn 3.30% gross/AER fixed for 1 year. £2,000 minimum deposit. Penalty for withdrawal before the end of the term. Interest paid monthly or on maturity.
3.28%6 MonthsApply Now >
3.28% AER fixed for 6 months. Deposit from £1,000. No maximum deposit.
3.20%1 YearApply Now >
3.00% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.20% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing customers only. Deposit £5,000 - £500,000. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
3.20%1 YearApply Now >
3.00% Gross/AER on balances of £5,000 - £24,999. 3.20% on balances of £25,000 - £500,000. Existing customers only. Deposit £5,000 - £500,000. No withdrawals or additional deposits.
up to
2.90%		1 YearApply Now >
Earn 2.90% Gross/AER when you save £50,000 or more. Earn 2.65% on balances from £1-£49,999.
2.80%18 MonthsApply Now >
18 Month Fixed Rate - 2.80% AER. Open to new and existing customers. Click to learn more.
up to
2.41%		6 MonthsApply Now >
Earn 2.41% Goss/AER fixed on balances of £50,000 or more. 2.16% Gross/AER fixed on balances of £1-£49,999
2.50%9 MonthsApply Now >
9 Month Fixed Rate - 2.50% AER. Open to new and existing customers.
2.25%1 YearApply Now >
2.25% Gross/AER fixed for 1 year. No additional deposits or withdrawals. Enter the Halifax Savers Prize Draw for a chance to win £100,000 or one of a thousand smaller prizes.
   
Medium Term Fixed Rate Bonds (3-4 years)
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
4.00%3 YearsApply Now >
Interest paid annually at 4.00% (gross), quarterly at 3.94% (gross), or monthly at 3.93% (gross). Minimum Deposit £10,000.
3.60%3 YearsApply Now >
Earn 3.60% gross/AER fixed for 3 years. £2,000 minimum deposit. Penalty for withdrawal before the end of the term. Interest paid monthly, annually, or on maturity.
Long Term Fixed Rate Bonds (4+ years)
ProviderAccountInterest Rate (AER)TermApply
4.60%5 YearsApply Now >
Interest paid either Annually at 4.60% Gross/AER, Quarterly at 4.52% Gross or Monthly at 4.50% Gross. Minimum Deposit £10,000.
4.25%5 YearsApply Now >
4.25% Gross/AER fixed for 5 years. No additional deposits or withdrawals. Enter the Halifax Savers Prize Draw for a chance to win £100,000 or one of a thousand smaller prizes.
4.15%4 YearsApply Now >
4.15% Gross/AER fixed for 4 years. No additional deposits or withdrawals. Enter the Halifax Savers Prize Draw for a chance to win £100,000 or one of a thousand smaller prizes.
Alternatives to Fixed Rate Bonds
ProviderPlanDeposit TakerPotential ReturnTermMore Info
Inflation Protected Deposit BondRoyal Bank of Scotland plcRPI Tracker 5 yearsMore Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • 100% any growth in RPI (no cap) with a minimum return of 16%
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 3 Year Deposit Plan Investec Bank plc19%3 yearsMore Info >
  • 3 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Target return of 19%
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE Income Deposit PlanRoyal Bank of Scotland plc7.25%
per annum		6 YearsMore Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Available for Cash ISA & Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Income is not guaranteed
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 Kick Out Deposit Plan - Option 2Investec Bank plc6.25%
per annum		Up to
5 years		More Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential for early maturity after years 2,3 and 4
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 Kick Out Deposit Plan - Option 1Investec Bank plc6.00%
per annum		Up to
5 years		More Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential for early maturity after years 1,2,3 and 4
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 Deposit Growth PlanInvestec Bank plcNo limit5 yearsMore Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential to return 1 x FTSE 100 growth
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Growth Deposit BondRoyal Bank of Scotland plc50%6 yearsMore Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Target return of 8.00% or if greater 1 x any FTSE 100 growth (capped at 50%)
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Enhanced Growth PlanSantander UK plc40%6 yearsMore Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • 5 x any rise in the FTSE 100 capped at 40%
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Annual Locked-In Return PlanSantander UK plc36%6 yearsMore Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • 6% potential annual return
  • Available for Cash ISAs & Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed

These are structured deposit plans and are capital protected. There is a risk that the company backing the plans or any company associated with the plans may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated. In this event you may be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) , depending on your individual circumstances. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plans are not held for the full term.

If you are at all unsure of the suitability of these types of investments, both in respect of their objectives and risk profiles, you should seek independent financial advice.

Fixed Rate Bonds – Our view

 

What are 1 year fixed rate bonds?

 

1 year fixed rate bonds are a form of savings account which offer you a guaranteed interest payment over 12 months. The longer the period of time generally the higher the interest payment paid.

 

Advantages

  • The interest rate offered is guaranteed for the 1 year term of the bond. This is unlike instant access savings accounts where the interest rate can go down or up at short notice.
  • Different banks and building societies will have different views on medium to long term interest rates. If interest rates rise more slowly than expected a fixed rate bond may give you a better return than what you could expect from an instant access account.
  • Some fixed rate bonds provide flexibility e.g. 1 withdrawal over the term.
  • Fixed rate bonds range from 2 months to 5 years in duration so you can choose a term that suits your circumstances
  • Many fixed rate bond providers offer online access so you can see how much interest you are earning.

Disadvantages

  • The benefit of enjoying a higher rate of interest must be weighed against tying up your capital for a fixed term. If you need access to your capital before maturity this may not be possible and if it is there may be interest penalties.
  • If interest rates rise over the 1 year term of the investment you may find the interest rate on your capital is no longer competitive compared to new offerings in the market.
  • Many fixed rate bond providers require a high minimum deposit e.g. £5,000

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