Where should I put my money in the UK?
Short answer: keep your emergency fund in an easy-access savings account or Cash ISA at an FSCS-protected bank (the FSCS deposit limit is £120,000 per person, per authorised bank, from 1 December 2025). Fixed-rate bonds suit money you won't touch for 1–5 years. Invest long-term money in a Stocks & Shares ISA. NS&I is backed by HM Treasury. Crypto is high risk and not FSCS-protected.
FSCS Deposits up to £120k
HM Treasury NS&I (100%)
none Crypto
6 of 16 data points verified on official sources ·Verified this week
Marcus (UK) – Online Savings Account
3.75% AER / 3.69% gross variable, incl. 0.49% bonus for 12 months (3.24% AER without bonus)
FSCS up to £120,000 per person, per authorised bank✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Marcus (UK) – Online Savings Account
NS&I – Direct Saver
3.75% gross/AER variable
100% backed by HM Treasury✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for NS&I – Direct Saver
NS&I – Direct ISA (Cash ISA)
3.80% tax-free/AER variable
100% backed by HM Treasury✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for NS&I – Direct ISA (Cash ISA)
NS&I – Premium Bonds
4.35% annual prize fund rate (variable, average – not guaranteed); odds 21,000 to 1 per £1 bond
100% backed by HM Treasury✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for NS&I – Premium Bonds
Vanguard UK – ISA / Managed ISA
No guaranteed return
FSCS investments up to £85,000 if the firm fails — not market losses✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Vanguard UK – ISA / Managed ISA
Freetrade – Stocks & Shares ISA
No guaranteed return
FSCS investments up to £85,000 if the firm fails — not market losses✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Freetrade – Stocks & Shares ISA
Compare by product type
Easy-access savings & Cash ISAs
Variable AER, withdraw any time. Cash ISA interest is tax-free within your £20,000 annual ISA allowance.
Fixed-rate bonds
Fixed rate for 1–5 years; money usually locked. FSCS-protected at authorised banks.
NS&I & Premium Bonds
Backed 100% by HM Treasury. Premium Bonds pay prizes instead of interest.
Stocks & Shares ISA, robo-advisors & apps
Long term (5+ years). Gains inside an ISA are tax-free; investments can fall in value.
Crypto (high risk)
Not FSCS-protected. Check the firm is FCA-registered for cryptoassets — registration is not a safety guarantee.
Before choosing, read the basics explained.
Frequently asked questions
Which easy-access account pays the most?
It changes often. Each rate in the table links to its official page with the date checked; bonus rates and their end dates are shown separately.
Can I access my money?
Usually not before maturity, or only with a penalty. Read the official terms.
Is the prize fund rate what I will earn?
No. It is the average rate across all bonds; your result depends on luck and can be zero.
How much can I put in an ISA?
The overall allowance is £20,000 per tax year across all your ISAs (check gov.uk for any changes).
How do I check FCA registration?
Search the firm on the official FCA Financial Services Register (register.fca.org.uk).
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