Decent Savings Account...

[rdfcpete]

What's a better/one of the best savings accounts out there to have at the moment?

I could jump on money supermarket and the like for pointers, but it's not quite the same as a personal recommendation in terms of service and accessibility, aside just high(er) interest rates.
Obviously I'm looking for something that pays well with no catches or hidden fees or cash limits (as to what you can put in).

I've had a Nationwide e-savings account for a long time now and despite paying fairly little attention, even I've noticed they pay a dog sh1t rate of interest and I need to move around if my investments are ever to grow.

Appreciate any pointers for any trusted and reliable online savings accounts that provide a good rate. Hassle free is always a bonus too 

Thanks.

[Tfsi_Mike]

Will be following this as Im planning a long term saving for when Tfsi_Jnr is 16 - 20

[Weston]

This sites pretty good, worth a look at least

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

[vRStu]

Premium Bonds??

[Weston]

Premium Bonds??

No interest & little chance of winning anything unless you put in some serious cash. You could get lucky I guess.

[vRStu]

You could get lucky I guess.

[neg]

with PB's - not like your risking much on the loss of interest currently though is it... you never know

[vRStu]

with PB's - not like your risking much on the loss of interest currently though is it... you never know

My thoughts exactly 

[Poppa Dom]

Or offset a large capital payment against your mortgage. 

[bacillus]

If you only intend to put in around £5k/year, you could start with a cash ISA that's tax-free as there are reasonable rates for new customers around.

[GTIjames]

Are you using your Isa amount each year? The better rates seem to be on those at the moment, but you need to keep on swapping accounts every 12 months after the initial rate drops.

My bank is currently offerng 8% aer on the regular savers, max £300 a month for 12 months, which is supposed to be the best around but you need to be a first direct current account holder

Its all pretty rubbish at the moment but as dom mentioned if you have a mortgage a capital repayment is a good idea or the offset mortgage deals around, will put yor savings to much better use than your esavings

[Weston]

with PB's - not like your risking much on the loss of interest currently though is it... you never know

My thoughts exactly 

Fair point, you can always take it back out when rates rise again

[Tfsi_Mike]

My plan is only £50 - £100 per month put aside over a long term (18 years)

[bacillus]

My plan is only £50 - £100 per month put aside over a long term (18 years)

In that case I would suggest you look at a drip feed account linked to the stock market if you are prepared to take some degree of risk with your capital.

[Frodo-anni]

My plan is only £50 - £100 per month put aside over a long term (18 years)

Definately recommend a invest based savings account with that length of time to save, saving on a regualr basis also a good way to reduce market volatility over the time your saving ' pound cost average'.

For deposit based savings, cash isa rates are not brilliant, but i think 3%+ can still be found, Santander, Halifax, Barclays were the best at the start of the tax year for rates, maybe not for service though.

Other savings accounts, ING have always been quite good at offering flexible savings with good rates.

The main thing to consider is what do you want form an account, access, return, limits etc... then compare the rate against inflation, to look at the 'real rate of return'.
Ie Inflation 5% if you get 3% on your savings after tax you still loosing the equivalent of 2% per year due to inflation cost.