No withdrawals can be made within that year and if you wish to access the money, you will have to close the account.
First Direct has also been offering new customers a free £175 when they switch accounts and a £250 interest free overdraft. The next best savings account currently available is the Christmas Saver Bond with Monmouthshire Building Society at 5.5 per cent for a one year fixed rate. Lloyds Bank is also offering 5.25 per cent on its Club Lloyds Monthly Saver, also on a one year fixed rate with RBS and Natwest offering 5.12 per cent on their Digital Regular Saver.
It is hoped that more banks will hike up their savings returns in the coming weeks after the Base Rate was hiked to 3.5 per cent this week.of 3.25 per cent a year after the announcement with Chase adding it is increasing its easy access savings account from 2.1 to 2.7 per cent, effective from 4 January 2023.