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Savings explained

Helping you understand your savings choices

Struggling to get to grips with the variety of savings accounts? This section will help you understand which savings accounts are right for you.

Savings simplified

Types of savings accounts

Great if...

 

Easy access

...you want to save regularly or irregularly, but need to get your hands on your money at short notice without any charges

More on easy access accounts

Fixed term

...you don't need to access your money for up to five years and want the knowledge of a guaranteed interest rate

More on fixed term accounts

ISAs (tax free)

...you want to save up to £3,600 tax free per year (£5,100 if you're 50 or over by 5 April 2010)

More on ISAs

Find the perfect account

Savings finder > Use our savings finder to help you find the account that's perfect for you.

Easy access or fixed term

Easy access or fixed term > Do you need to get your hands on your money quickly? Or can you leave it for a while?

Annual or monthly interest

Annual or monthly interest > How you choose to receive your interest will depend on what you're saving for.

Online, phone or post

Online, phone or post > It's easy to manage your account with us.

Managing a savings portfolio

Manage your portfolio > Got a large sum of money to save and invest? Here's some tips to make the most of it.

Savings and tax

Savings and tax > Learn about the tax on your savings interest, and making the most of your tax free ISA allowance.

Understanding interest rates

Comparing interest rates > Gross, net and AER. Savings jargon made simple.

Gross is the contractual rate of interest payable before the deduction of income tax at the rate specified by law.

*AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and illustrates what the interest rate would be if interest was paid and compounded once each year. As every advertisement for a savings product which quotes an interest rate will contain an AER, you will be able to compare more easily what return you can expect from your savings over time.

NET rates are illustrative only, allowing for the deduction of income tax at 20%. If you are a higher rate tax payer, you may have a further amount to pay. If we deduct more tax than you have to pay this can be reclaimed from HMRC.

Tax Free means free from personal liability to Income Tax.

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© Birmingham Midshires
This site is intended for UK residents unless otherwise stated.
Birmingham Midshires is a division of Bank of Scotland plc, which is authorised for accepting deposits by the Financial Services Authority. It is entered in the FSA's Register and its Register Number is 169628. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 1YZ.
To contact the FSA Consumer helpline, please ring 0300 500 5000 or visit www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk.