No prizes for guessing which Spanish city was the birthplace of the bank Santander. Since its entry into the UK market in 2004, Banco Santander has acquired three former British building societies and formed the retail and commercial giant that stands today. Santander's top savings rate of 6% is available on one of its easy access accounts.
Easy access savings accounts
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Cash ISAs
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Fixed-rate bonds
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Regular savings accounts
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Business savings accounts
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What is Santander's best savings account with the highest interest rate?
The best savings account depends on what you want from your savings. If you're after fast access to your money, then an easy-access account should suit you. However, if you're happy to lock your money away for a time to access a higher rate, then a fixed-rate bond is a good option.
Finally, if you're looking to maximise your returns and shield them from income tax, consider an ISA. Below, we've listed the different types of accounts Santander offers, plus the highest interest rate currently available.
Savings account types include | Easy access, cash ISAs, fixed-rate bonds, regular savers, business |
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Best easy access rate | 6% |
Best cash ISA rate | 4.01% |
Best fixed-rate bond rate | 4% |
Best regular saver rate | 5% |
Best business savings account rate | 3.5% |
Fixed bond terms | 1 year - 3 years |
Opening options | Branch, website, mobile app, telephone |
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Other popular accounts
Didn’t find the account type you were looking for? Check our other guides:
How do I decide which account is for me?
Firstly, you need to decide what you’re looking for in a savings account. How often are you planning to draw out money? How much money can you afford to save each month?
Typically fixed-rate bonds give you better interest rates. So, if you’re looking to put away a lump sum to mature, then these might be what you’re looking for.
Easy-access or instant-access accounts, on the other hand, give customers more flexibility. So if you’re saving on a budget, or you’re trying to store up cash for a big spend in a few months time (a wedding perhaps), then these might be for you.
Work out what you need before comparing the different offers available for certain types of savings accounts. Once you’ve done that, it’s useful to look at:
- Interest rates
- Fees (if there are any)
- Access to cash (if you need quick access, for instance)
- Rewards and loyalty schemes (if you’re into add-ons or switching bonuses)
Does Santander offer internet or mobile banking?
Yes. It offers both physical and digital banking services. You can open most of its savings accounts and ISAs by going online, on your mobile, or heading in branch.
However, you can’t manage all types of account online or in the app. Fixed-term bonds, for instance, are “view only” in online and mobile banking.
Santander customer reviews
In our independent 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 90% of Santander’s users said they’d recommend the brand to a friend. Customers highlighted the bank’s easy to use app and competitive rates. Here’s what some of those Santander customers had to say:
“Very easy to set up and use. They had one of the best interest rates for an instant access saver”
“Santander are always very helpful and willing to listen to your issues, and help you any way they can.”
The app has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from around one million reviews on the App Store. On Google Play, Santander has a score of 3.2 from around 147,000 Android app users (February 2024).
What are the pros and cons of banking with Santander?
Pros
- Online banking. Apply for its savings accounts online or in the app. You can manage many of its savings and ISA accounts on your phone or computer too.
- Physical presence. There are more than 400 branches in the UK. If you’re unsure about opening a savings account, head to your local branch and get some advice.
- Range of accounts. Whether you’re looking for instant access or longer term savings, Santander has a number of accounts to choose from.
Cons
- Exclusive rates. You have to switch your current account to Santander to get the most competitive rates.
- Bonds can’t be managed online. You will have to manage them in branch or by phone instead.
Customer service information for Santander
Email support | |
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Telephone support | |
In-app or live chat | |
Contact form | |
Branch support |
Our verdict
Whether you’re looking to save little and often or in big chunks, for yourself or for a child, Santander’s plethora of savings accounts means you shouldn’t have a problem finding one to suit. Just to be sure to check out the market’s current top offers first to see how Santander savings accounts weigh up against the competition in terms of benefits, rates and fees.
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