Rates that pique interest

WITH interest rates still relatively high, many savers are keen to put their money to work. But it’s all too easy to slip up and earn far less than you expect.

- By Harvey Jones

Best-buy tables for easy access savings accounts appear full of generous deals, but experts warn they are not always as good as they seem.

Andrew Hagger, personal finance expert at MoneyComms, said too many high-paying accounts come with catches that could trip you up later: “It can be a bit of a minefield trying to find a great easy access rate that doesn’t come with any potential tricks or catches.”

Some of the top-paying accounts come with strict withdrawal limits, temporary bonuses, or other strings attached. Others rely on bonuses that vanish after 12 months, or require you to open a linked current account to qualify. In some cases, your money could be quietly shifted to a much lower-paying product after the promotional period ends.