Savings
Hodge Bank – 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“Hodge Bank has increased the rate paid on its 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond by 0.10% this week. Now paying a rate of 4.25%, this account takes a place in the top 10 when compared to other bonds with similar terms and may well tempt savers happy to secure their savings pot away for the short-term based on rate alone. As is common with many fixed accounts, earlier access to funds is not permitted, so savers need to be happy to secure their cash away for the term of the account, but there is a little flexibility for investors to make further additions for 10 days from account opening. Overall, this account receives an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 4.25% gross / 4.25% AER, payable on maturity / monthly interest option of 4.17% gross / 4.25% AER also available
- Notice / term: One year
- Minimum opening amount: £1,000
- Maximum investment amount: £1 million
- Access: Not permitted
- Further additions: Permitted for 10 days from account opening
- Opening account: Online
- Managing account: Online
- Other information: Minimum applicant age 18. Joint account option available.
Harpenden Building Society – Triple Access Cash ISA
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“Harpenden Building Society has launched a new Triple Access Cash ISA to its product range this week. Paying a return of 2.60% providing fewer than four withdrawals are made per calendar year, this takes a place in the top 10 compared to other similar products currently on the market. This account may well tempt savers who want to maintain some flexible access to their money, and who are still looking to make the most of their tax-free ISA allowance. Savers are advised that if four or more withdrawals are made then the rate paid reduces to 1.60%, however, they can make further additions to the account, which may boost its appeal further for some savers. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 2.60% gross / 2.60% AER payable yearly (rate reduces to 1.60% gross / 1.60% AER if four or more withdrawals are made per calendar year)
- Notice / term: Instant
- Minimum opening amount: £1
- Maximum investment amount: ISA allowance
- Access: Permitted
- Further additions: Permitted
- Transfers in: Permitted. Accepts Cash ISAs
- Transfers out: Permitted
- Opening account: By post and in branch
- Managing account: Online, by post and in branch
- Other information: Minimum applicant age 16.
Mortgages
first direct – Two-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“This week first direct has applied cuts to the majority of its fixed rate offerings, in some cases of up to 0.55%. One deal which saw this reduction is a two-year fixed deal which is available at 60% loan-to-value. Now priced at 4.74% for two years following this week’s notable rate cut, not only does this product offer one of the lowest initial rates currently available in its sector, but borrowers hoping to keep any mortgage set-up costs to a minimum may find the reasonable fee of £490, combined with the incentive package on offer, equally tempting. On assessment, this deal takes a place in our top tables and earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 4.74% fixed rate for two years
- Product fee: £490
- Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
- Available to: All borrower types
- Incentives: Free valuation and for those remortgaging free legal fees
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
West Brom Building Society – Three-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“One of the deals to be re-priced by West Brom Building Society this week is a three-year fixed rate product for those purchasing a property at 95% loan-to-value. Available to second-time buyers as well as first-time buyers, this option received a rate cut of 0.20% and is now priced at 5.69% until 31 May 2026. Borrowers who may have stretched to save up a 5% deposit may find the appeal of this option is further boosted by the incentive of a free valuation and the fact that there is no fee to pay. Assessed as a whole, this mortgage earns a position in our top rate tables and an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 5.69% fixed rate to 31.5.26
- Product fee: None
- Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
- Available to: House purchase customers
- Incentives: Free valuation
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: England and Wales.
Buy-to-let
HSBC – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 75% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“This week HSBC has reduced five-year fixed rates in its buy-to-let range by up to 0.30%. One deal which may be of interest to landlords looking for a mid-term fixed rate is the offering at 75% loan-to-value. Following a rate cut of 0.20%, this option is now priced at 5.39% until 31 May 2028. Landlords who are hoping to keep any outlay associated with taking on a new mortgage to a minimum may be further tempted by the fact that there is no fee to pay, and they are able to benefit from a free valuation incentive too. Assessed as a whole package, this deal earns a place in our top tables and an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 5.39% fixed rate to 31.5.28
- Product fee: None
- Maximum loan-to-value: 75%
- Available to: Second-time buyers (remortgage option also available)
- Incentives: Free valuation
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Cards
NatWest – Purchase and Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“NatWest have opened up applications for their credit cards to new customers this week, providing a wider audience with the chance to apply for one of their offerings. One which may prove an attractive option is the Purchase & Balance Transfer card, which could be tempting to those looking to make purchases due to the 24-month interest-free term, which is jointly market-leading compared to others currently on offer. The appeal of this card may also extend to those who are looking to consolidate their debts, for which they would also have a 24-month interest-free balance transfer term available, though consumers should note there is a 2.90% fee applied for balances transferred in the first three months. This card takes a prominent place in our top tables and, on assessment, earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Introductory rate for purchases: 0% for 24 months
- Introductory rate for balance transfers: 0% for 24 months
- Standard rate for purchases: 22.9% APR
- Balance transfer fee: 2.90% as an introductory charge during the first three months from account opening, reducing to 0.00% (no min) thereafter
- Card fee: None
- Opening method: Online
- Card management: Online, by phone, by post, in branch and via its mobile app
- Other information: Minimum age 18.
Savings
Hodge Bank – 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“Hodge Bank has increased the rate paid on its 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond by 0.10% this week. Now paying a rate of 4.25%, this account takes a place in the top 10 when compared to other bonds with similar terms and may well tempt savers happy to secure their savings pot away for the short-term based on rate alone. As is common with many fixed accounts, earlier access to funds is not permitted, so savers need to be happy to secure their cash away for the term of the account, but there is a little flexibility for investors to make further additions for 10 days from account opening. Overall, this account receives an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 4.25% gross / 4.25% AER, payable on maturity / monthly interest option of 4.17% gross / 4.25% AER also available
- Notice / term: One year
- Minimum opening amount: £1,000
- Maximum investment amount: £1 million
- Access: Not permitted
- Further additions: Permitted for 10 days from account opening
- Opening account: Online
- Managing account: Online
- Other information: Minimum applicant age 18. Joint account option available.
Harpenden Building Society – Triple Access Cash ISA
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“Harpenden Building Society has launched a new Triple Access Cash ISA to its product range this week. Paying a return of 2.60% providing fewer than four withdrawals are made per calendar year, this takes a place in the top 10 compared to other similar products currently on the market. This account may well tempt savers who want to maintain some flexible access to their money, and who are still looking to make the most of their tax-free ISA allowance. Savers are advised that if four or more withdrawals are made then the rate paid reduces to 1.60%, however, they can make further additions to the account, which may boost its appeal further for some savers. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 2.60% gross / 2.60% AER payable yearly (rate reduces to 1.60% gross / 1.60% AER if four or more withdrawals are made per calendar year)
- Notice / term: Instant
- Minimum opening amount: £1
- Maximum investment amount: ISA allowance
- Access: Permitted
- Further additions: Permitted
- Transfers in: Permitted. Accepts Cash ISAs
- Transfers out: Permitted
- Opening account: By post and in branch
- Managing account: Online, by post and in branch
- Other information: Minimum applicant age 16.
Mortgages
first direct – Two-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“This week first direct has applied cuts to the majority of its fixed rate offerings, in some cases of up to 0.55%. One deal which saw this reduction is a two-year fixed deal which is available at 60% loan-to-value. Now priced at 4.74% for two years following this week’s notable rate cut, not only does this product offer one of the lowest initial rates currently available in its sector, but borrowers hoping to keep any mortgage set-up costs to a minimum may find the reasonable fee of £490, combined with the incentive package on offer, equally tempting. On assessment, this deal takes a place in our top tables and earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 4.74% fixed rate for two years
- Product fee: £490
- Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
- Available to: All borrower types
- Incentives: Free valuation and for those remortgaging free legal fees
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
West Brom Building Society – Three-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“One of the deals to be re-priced by West Brom Building Society this week is a three-year fixed rate product for those purchasing a property at 95% loan-to-value. Available to second-time buyers as well as first-time buyers, this option received a rate cut of 0.20% and is now priced at 5.69% until 31 May 2026. Borrowers who may have stretched to save up a 5% deposit may find the appeal of this option is further boosted by the incentive of a free valuation and the fact that there is no fee to pay. Assessed as a whole, this mortgage earns a position in our top rate tables and an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 5.69% fixed rate to 31.5.26
- Product fee: None
- Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
- Available to: House purchase customers
- Incentives: Free valuation
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: England and Wales.
Buy-to-let
HSBC – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 75% loan-to-value
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“This week HSBC has reduced five-year fixed rates in its buy-to-let range by up to 0.30%. One deal which may be of interest to landlords looking for a mid-term fixed rate is the offering at 75% loan-to-value. Following a rate cut of 0.20%, this option is now priced at 5.39% until 31 May 2028. Landlords who are hoping to keep any outlay associated with taking on a new mortgage to a minimum may be further tempted by the fact that there is no fee to pay, and they are able to benefit from a free valuation incentive too. Assessed as a whole package, this deal earns a place in our top tables and an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Rate: 5.39% fixed rate to 31.5.28
- Product fee: None
- Maximum loan-to-value: 75%
- Available to: Second-time buyers (remortgage option also available)
- Incentives: Free valuation
- Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
- Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Cards
NatWest – Purchase and Balance Transfer Credit Card Mastercard
Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, said:
“NatWest have opened up applications for their credit cards to new customers this week, providing a wider audience with the chance to apply for one of their offerings. One which may prove an attractive option is the Purchase & Balance Transfer card, which could be tempting to those looking to make purchases due to the 24-month interest-free term, which is jointly market-leading compared to others currently on offer. The appeal of this card may also extend to those who are looking to consolidate their debts, for which they would also have a 24-month interest-free balance transfer term available, though consumers should note there is a 2.90% fee applied for balances transferred in the first three months. This card takes a prominent place in our top tables and, on assessment, earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”
Key product details:
- Introductory rate for purchases: 0% for 24 months
- Introductory rate for balance transfers: 0% for 24 months
- Standard rate for purchases: 22.9% APR
- Balance transfer fee: 2.90% as an introductory charge during the first three months from account opening, reducing to 0.00% (no min) thereafter
- Card fee: None
- Opening method: Online
- Card management: Online, by phone, by post, in branch and via its mobile app
- Other information: Minimum age 18.
