The latest news to help you get the most from your savings account.
Here’s our monthly update sharing changes at leading UK savings accounts, as well as some of the articles you might have missed on the site.
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October’s savings news
Savings rates rise following base rate hike predictions
Though the Bank of England kept the base rate at 3.75% at September’s meeting, markets have predicted there could be a total of five increases by the end of 2027, pushing it up to 5%. That could well start with one increase at November’s meeting.
As a result, we’ve seen rates continue to improve, especially on longer term fixes where you can get 5.34%. You’ll see my picks below, and more options listed on our best buy tables.
The question is, will they keep getting higher? You might remember a few years ago there were fixes above 6%. That was when the base rate had peaked at 5.25%. Well, it’s certainly possible, though with some key caveats.
First, banks will already be factoring in potential hikes to the rates on offer now. So we might need increased certainty of those future base rate increases, or rumours of even more, for savings rates to reflect this.
Second, base rate predictions are notoriously fickle. Something could easily happen that turns the picture on its head and we’re back to talking about rate cuts. The key factor right now driving inflation is of course the war in Iran pushing up oil prices and energy costs. If that war somehow ends, the longer term base rate increases might not be needed. If it drags on, then even more might be required.
The best way to mitigate this is to use a savings ladder. Locking in at the decent rate now, but giving you the option to get a better rate later if they happen.
Easy Access Cash ISA war kicks off (again)
We’ve seen this happen a lot before. One provider hikes the rate on its Easy Access Cash ISA, and another responds with its own increase. Then the first one jumps up a little more, and so on. We’re now back above 5% for the first time in a while.
As ever Trading 212 is in the mix, with Plum the instigator this time around. The accounts are only for new customers, and only last at this higher rate for 12 months. The rate could well have changed again by the time you read this, so check out our ISA tables for the latest figures.
High paying easy access and regular saver accounts disappear fast
Sadly, if you didn’t grab the 8% regular saver from Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland when it launched in late August, it’s now too late. The rate for new accounts last week dropped to a low 5%, though the Club Lloyds monthly saver is back at 6.25%.
Also gone is the First Active easy access account at 4.55% (though others offer similar rates) and the Spring 5% easy access (limited to balances of £5,000).
It’s a good reminder to open top paying accounts sooner rather than later if you want them.
Chase launches 6.5% regular saver
There’s a new competitive monthly saver from Chase Bank. It pays 6.5%, which is fixed for 12 months. You can pay in up to £300 a month. Putting in this max would give you a return of £125.53.
You need to be a Chase current account customer to open the new regular saver, and you can then transfer over money and access the account via your Chase app. You won’t get a separate sort code and account number.
Interest is paid monthly, and you can access and withdraw it, and the balance, at any time. However, if you take out any cash and have already added £300, you can’t add any more until the new month.
Speaking of which, the month begins on the day you open it. So if that’s the 5 October, you’ll need to wait until 5 November to add more, and so on.
After a year, the balance and interest are transferred into a normal Chase saver account, but the regular saver will automatically renew, though it’ll at whatever rate is offered at that point.
As I said, it’s a decent rate, but it can be beaten. My top picks are listed below, or you can see the wider list in our regular saver best buy tables.
Zopa scraps regular saver in account shake up
At launch, the big draw on Zopa’s Biscuit current account was it’s 7.1% paying regular saver – at the time the top paying options. That was devalued earlier this year when it’s length was cut in half, and now the bank has gone one step further and scrapped it completely.
This won’t affect existing customers who have a regular saver open – you’ll continue to be able to pay into it until the term ends, whether that was 12 or 6 months at the start. But you won’t be able to open another one after.
There are other changes to the account, including a free Caffe Nero each month and three different options to choose from. You can pick either cashback on spending, cashback on direct debits or a boosted interest rate on current account balance. The rate here is just 2.75% though, so I’d put my cash elsewhere.
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Featured deal
Our top pick
Customer rating
3.8/5
- Switch bonus£240
- Perks8% regular saver
- Monthly fee0
- Offer endsUnknown
- FSCS Protected? Yes
- Bonus requirements To get the £240 switch offer, you need to complete a full switch with the Current Account Switching Service. Then, within 60 days of your initial switch request, you need to set up two active direct debits, deposit £1,500 into the current account, set up a Santander Regular Saver, and deposit £200 into it.
- Regular saver 8% (variable) regular savings account. Includes 5% (variable) bonus for 12 months
- Existing customers? You can't have held a Santander account on 1 January 2026.
September’s savings offers
Santander: up to £400 in hotel vouchers for transferring your ISA
Santander is offering hotel vouchers in exchange for transferring your ISA. It’s launched a range of new fixed rate accounts, and if you make a transfer of £25,000 or more, you can get vouchers that can be used at over 1.5 million hotels worldwide.
The accounts include:
- 1 year fixed rate ISA: 4.50% AER fixed
- 2 year fixed rate ISA: 4.50% AER fixed
- 3 year fixed rate ISA: 4.65% AER fixed
- 5 year fixed rate ISA: 4.70% AER fixed
If you transfer between £25,000 and £49,999.99, you’ll get a £200 voucher. If you transfer £50,000 or more, you’ll get two £200 vouchers.
There’s not currently an end date for the offer, but it can be withdrawn at any time.
We’ll share any other deals in our savings deals page if any more come along.
Can you earn extra on your savings?
Check out our list of the best savings special offers
Top savings accounts for October 2026
Remember, these are the accounts at the top of the tables. We’ve more options in our best savings accounts page, which is updated every day by the team.
Easy & limited access picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Account | Rate | Notes |
| Top easy access requiring a current account | — | — | — |
| Santander | Edge Saver | 6% AER variable, includes 2.5% bonus for 12 months | Max £4,000 Needs Edge current account (£3 monthly fee) |
| Top easy access with balance restrictions | — | — | — |
| Cahoot | Sunny Day Saver | 5% AER variable | Max £3,000 One year only |
| Top easy access without restrictions | — | — | — |
| Cynergy Bank | Online Easy Access | 4.55% AER variable includes 12 month bonus | Max £1m |
| Tembo | Home Saver | 4.55% AER variable includes 12 month bonus | Max £20,000 must keep at least £1 in account for 12 months |
| Top non digital account | — | — | — |
| Progressive Building Society | Double access saver | 4.5% AER variable | Only two withdrawals a year Apply by post or branch |
| Tesco Bank | Internet Saver | 4.24% AER variable | Apply by online or phone |
Fixed savings accounts picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Top 6 month fix | — | — |
| Zopa | 4.6% AER fixed | |
| Top 12 months fix | — | — |
| Al Rayan | 5.12% expected profit fixed | |
| Top 18 months fix | — | — |
| Aldermore | 4.93% AER fixed | |
| Top 2 year fix | — | — |
| DF Capital | 5.15% AER fixed | |
| Top 3 year fix | — | — |
| This Bank | 5.18% AER fixed | |
| Top 4 year fix | ||
| Aldermore | 5.17% AER fixed | |
| Top 5 year fix | — | — |
| Oxbury | 5.34% AER fixed |
Fixed savings accounts picks for non digital applicants as of 30/9/26
If you don’t want to use online banking or apps, then these accounts pay the best for phone and post applications. You might find higher paying options that are branch only for local banks and building societies.
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Top 12 months fix | — | — |
| Melton Building Society | 4.99% AER fixed | Online, post or branch |
| Top 18 month fix | — | — |
| Tesco Bank | 4.85% AER fixed | Online or phone |
| Top 2 year fix | — | — |
| Buckinghamshire Building Society | 4.87% AER fixed | Online, post or branch |
| Top 3 year fix | — | — |
| Skipton Building Society | 4.92% AER fixed | Online, phone, post or branch |
| Top 5 year fix | — | — |
| Melton Building Society | 5.33% AER variable | Online, post and branch |
Regular Saver accounts picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Requires a current account (12 months) | — | — |
| Santander | 8% AER fixed | Max £200 a month |
| First Direct | 7% AER fixed | Max £300 a month |
| Open to all | — | — |
| Progressive Building Society | 7% AER fixed | Max £250 a month |
| Monmouthshire Building Society | 6% AER fixed | Max £500 a month |
The best monthly savings accounts
Check out our list of the highest paying regular or monthly savings accounts.
ISA: Easy access picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Top rates with no bonus | ||
| Hargreaves Lansdown (powered by Shawbrook) | 4.52% | |
| Top rates with bonus | ||
| Trading 212 | 5.01% including bonus (via our link only) | Flexible New customers only |
| Plum | 5% | Flexible New customers only |
| Top for transfers | ||
| Chip | 4.5% | New customers only (lower rate for existing) |
| Bank of Ireland | 4.3% including bonus | |
| Top for non-digital | ||
| Progressive Building Society | 4.3% | Allows transfers 2x access Post or branch |
ISA: Fixed savings ISAs picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Top 12 months fix | — | — |
| Vanquis | 4.9% AER fixed | |
| Top 2 year fix | — | — |
| Vanquis | 5.02% AER fixed | |
| Top 3 year fix | — | — |
| West Brom Building Society | 5.1% AER fixed | |
| Top 5 year fix | — | — |
| Shawbrook | 5.25% AER fixed |
ISA: Fixed savings ISAs for non-digital picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Top 12 months fix | — | — |
| Natwest | 4.75% AER fixed | Online or phone |
| Top 2 year fix | — | — |
| Buckinghamshire Building Society | 4.87% AER fixed | Online, post or branch |
| Top 3 year fix | — | — |
| Buckinghamshire Building Society | 4.83% AER fixed | Online, post or branch |
| Top 5 year fix | — | — |
| Furniss Building Society | 4.91% AER variable | Online, post or branch |
Lifetime ISA: Cash picks as of 30/9/26
| Bank | Rate | Notes |
| Moneybox | 4.65% AER fixed | Includes one year bonus for new customers |
| Tembo | 4.56% AER fixed | Includes one year bonus for new customers |
The best Easy Access Cash ISA savings accounts
Check out our list of the highest paying easy access Cash ISAs
