And with fixed rate mortgage deals growing in popularity, Britannia Building Society should be pleased at being named best overall fixed rate mortgage provider. Britannia also picked up the prize for best medium term fixed rate, while Cheshire was named best short term fix and West Bromwich got the gong for the best long-term fixed rate.

Other big winners include Alliance and Leicester, who were named best discounted mortgage provider and also won two current account awards.

The Anglo Irish Bank came highly commended by Moneyfacts, taking the awards for best notice account, best no notice account and best offshore account for its Isle of Man account.

And online savings provider Icesave, which launched in the UK less than two years ago, picked up the awards for best monthly interest account provider and best no notice internet account provider.

Best loan provider went to Moneyback Bank, and specialist accounts awards were taken by the Coventry Building Society for best Over 50s account, Bradford and Bingley for best children’s account and Barclays for best ISA.

Halifax, Intelligent Finance, Virgin Money and Capital One took the main awards for credit card services.

Commenting on the winners, Lee Tillcock, editor of Moneyfacts, said: “Moneyfacts awards recognise the most consistent products on offer over the previous year and are seen as a real benchmark for excellence.

“Once again we have seen a record turnout, proving the importance that banks, building societies and other financial providers place on winning one of these awards, especially in such challenging times.”

© Fair Investment Company Ltd