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Moneyfacts Pick of the Week - 25/08/2022

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25/08/2022

Moneyfacts Pick of the Week

The Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Pick of the Week showcases the best of the latest products or rate changes to hit the consumer finance market.

Brief product details, together with independent Moneyfacts analysis, can be used with confidence in your finance sections. You can select one or two products to sit beside a relevant story or use them all as a general feature provided they are sourced to our expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

This week, our resident Finance Expert, Eleanor Williams, has analysed the following deals, along with their perks, of note:

Moneyfacts Pick of the Week

The Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Pick of the Week showcases the best of the latest products or rate changes to hit the consumer finance market.

Brief product details, together with independent Moneyfacts analysis, can be used with confidence in your finance sections. You can select one or two products to sit beside a relevant story or use them all as a general feature provided they are sourced to our expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

This week, our resident Finance Expert, Eleanor Williams, has analysed the following deals, along with their perks, of note:

Savings

Skipton Building Society – Cash eISA Saver Issue 12

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Savers who want to keep flexible access to their savings pot and take advantage of their tax-free ISA allowance may be pleased to see that Skipton Building Society has increased the rate on its Cash eISA this week. This account can be opened with as little as £1, and it provides the ability to make unlimited withdrawals, so savers wanting to maintain access to their cash as needed may be tempted. Paying 1.60% on anniversary, this ISA also offers a monthly interest option which could be another benefit for those hoping to boost their regular income. Overall, it takes the top place in our tables compared to similar ISAs that are on offer and receives an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.” 

Key product details:

  • Rate: 1.60% gross / 1.60% AER payable on anniversary / monthly interest option of 1.59% gross / 1.60% AER also available
  • Notice / term: None
  • Minimum opening amount: £1
  • Maximum investment amount: ISA allowance
  • Access: Permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted
  • Transfers in: Permitted. Accepts Cash and Stocks and Shares ISAs and Innovative Finance ISAs.
  • Transfers out: Permitted
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 16. Flexible ISA rules apply.

 

Allica Bank – 180-Day Notice Personal Savings Account (Issue 1)

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Savers who are happy to provide notice to access their savings pot in order to achieve a competitive rate of return may find the new 180-day notice account from Allica Bank an appealing choice. Paying 2.30% gross, this account takes a prominent position compared to other notice accounts on the market at the moment. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 2.30% gross / 2.30% AER payable on anniversary
  • Notice / term: 180 days
  • Minimum opening amount: £10,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £250,000
  • Access: Permitted, subject to 180 days’ notice
  • Further additions: Permitted via a nominated account
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online, by phone and via its mobile app
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

 

SmartSave – 2 Year Fixed Rate Saver

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Among the accounts to be updated by SmartSave this week is the 2 Year Fixed Rate Saver. Now paying a rate of 3.47%, this takes the lead position in our top tables compared to other bonds with similar terms currently available. On return alone this may well tempt savers who can meet the minimum investment requirement of £10,000. As is common in the fixed rate bond market, no earlier access is permitted, but further additions can be made for 14 days from account opening, which might be a further plus for some investors. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.47% gross / 3.47% AER payable on its anniversary
  • Notice / term: Two years
  • Minimum opening amount: £10,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £85,000
  • Access: Not permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted for 14 days from account opening
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

 

JN Bank – 3 Year Fixed Term Savings Account

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“JN Bank has increased the rate on a number of its accounts this week. The 3 Year Fixed Term Account takes a market-leading position when compared to other bonds with similar terms which are currently on offer in the market. Savers who are comfortable with locking their nest-egg away for the term of the account and who are looking for a guaranteed return on the savings may find this an enticing proposition. Overall, the account earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.45% gross / 3.45% AER payable on its anniversary
  • Notice / term: Three years
  • Minimum opening amount: £1,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £100,000
  • Access: Not permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted for 14 days from account opening, maximum of 11 additions after initial funding, minimum £1,000.
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

  

Mortgages 

Virgin Money – Three-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Virgin Money increased rates across a selection of its mortgage deals this week. The three-year fixed option at 95% loan-to-value saw a rise of 0.20% and is now priced at 4.29% until 1 December 2025. First-time buyers who have had to stretch to save a 5% deposit and who want to keep any costs involved in setting up a mortgage to a minimum may find this an attractive proposition, as not only is there no fee attached to this product, but there is also a generous cashback incentive too. Overall, this earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.29% fixed rate to 1.12.25
  • Product fee: None
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
  • Available to: First-time buyers (second-time buyer and remortgage products also available)
  • Incentives: £500 cashback
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments. Payment holidays considered by arrangement.
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

first direct – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“This week first direct has made various updates to its range, including applying a small rate increase of 0.19% to its five-year fixed rate deal at 60% loan-to-value. Now priced at 3.28% for five-years, this is available to both remortgage and purchase borrowers. The relatively low fee of £490 remains unchanged, as does the incentive package on offer with the deal. Despite the increase in rate, those looking to secure a mid-term fixed rate mortgage may well find this a tempting option. Assessed as a whole package, the deal earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating and place in our top tables.”

Key product details:

  • 3.28% fixed rate for five years
  • Product fee: £490
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
  • Available to: All borrowers
  • Incentives: Free valuation, and for remortgage borrowers free legal fees
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Buy-to-let

Furness Building Society – Two-year discounted-variable rate mortgage, 75% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Furness Building Society has relaunched its buy-to-let mortgage products this week, offering a range of discounted-variable deals for landlords. One of these is priced at 2.39% and is available at up to 75% loan-to-value. On rate alone, this is now the lowest available within its sector. When taking into account the reasonable fee of £995, and the fact there is an incentive package available which includes cashback, this deal secures an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.” 

Key product details:

  • Rate: 2.39% discounted-variable rate (collared at 2.39%) for two years
  • Product fee: £995
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 75%
  • Available to: Second-time buyers and remortgage borrowers
  • Incentives: £250 cashback, and for remortgage borrowers free valuation
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments
  • Lending area: Great Britain.

Savings

Skipton Building Society – Cash eISA Saver Issue 12

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Savers who want to keep flexible access to their savings pot and take advantage of their tax-free ISA allowance may be pleased to see that Skipton Building Society has increased the rate on its Cash eISA this week. This account can be opened with as little as £1, and it provides the ability to make unlimited withdrawals, so savers wanting to maintain access to their cash as needed may be tempted. Paying 1.60% on anniversary, this ISA also offers a monthly interest option which could be another benefit for those hoping to boost their regular income. Overall, it takes the top place in our tables compared to similar ISAs that are on offer and receives an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.” 

Key product details:

  • Rate: 1.60% gross / 1.60% AER payable on anniversary / monthly interest option of 1.59% gross / 1.60% AER also available
  • Notice / term: None
  • Minimum opening amount: £1
  • Maximum investment amount: ISA allowance
  • Access: Permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted
  • Transfers in: Permitted. Accepts Cash and Stocks and Shares ISAs and Innovative Finance ISAs.
  • Transfers out: Permitted
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 16. Flexible ISA rules apply.

 

Allica Bank – 180-Day Notice Personal Savings Account (Issue 1)

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Savers who are happy to provide notice to access their savings pot in order to achieve a competitive rate of return may find the new 180-day notice account from Allica Bank an appealing choice. Paying 2.30% gross, this account takes a prominent position compared to other notice accounts on the market at the moment. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 2.30% gross / 2.30% AER payable on anniversary
  • Notice / term: 180 days
  • Minimum opening amount: £10,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £250,000
  • Access: Permitted, subject to 180 days’ notice
  • Further additions: Permitted via a nominated account
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online, by phone and via its mobile app
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

 

SmartSave – 2 Year Fixed Rate Saver

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Among the accounts to be updated by SmartSave this week is the 2 Year Fixed Rate Saver. Now paying a rate of 3.47%, this takes the lead position in our top tables compared to other bonds with similar terms currently available. On return alone this may well tempt savers who can meet the minimum investment requirement of £10,000. As is common in the fixed rate bond market, no earlier access is permitted, but further additions can be made for 14 days from account opening, which might be a further plus for some investors. Overall, the deal earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.47% gross / 3.47% AER payable on its anniversary
  • Notice / term: Two years
  • Minimum opening amount: £10,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £85,000
  • Access: Not permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted for 14 days from account opening
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

 

JN Bank – 3 Year Fixed Term Savings Account

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“JN Bank has increased the rate on a number of its accounts this week. The 3 Year Fixed Term Account takes a market-leading position when compared to other bonds with similar terms which are currently on offer in the market. Savers who are comfortable with locking their nest-egg away for the term of the account and who are looking for a guaranteed return on the savings may find this an enticing proposition. Overall, the account earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.45% gross / 3.45% AER payable on its anniversary
  • Notice / term: Three years
  • Minimum opening amount: £1,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £100,000
  • Access: Not permitted
  • Further additions: Permitted for 14 days from account opening, maximum of 11 additions after initial funding, minimum £1,000.
  • Opening account: Online
  • Managing account: Online
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 18.

  

Mortgages 

Virgin Money – Three-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Virgin Money increased rates across a selection of its mortgage deals this week. The three-year fixed option at 95% loan-to-value saw a rise of 0.20% and is now priced at 4.29% until 1 December 2025. First-time buyers who have had to stretch to save a 5% deposit and who want to keep any costs involved in setting up a mortgage to a minimum may find this an attractive proposition, as not only is there no fee attached to this product, but there is also a generous cashback incentive too. Overall, this earns an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.29% fixed rate to 1.12.25
  • Product fee: None
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
  • Available to: First-time buyers (second-time buyer and remortgage products also available)
  • Incentives: £500 cashback
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments. Payment holidays considered by arrangement.
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

first direct – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“This week first direct has made various updates to its range, including applying a small rate increase of 0.19% to its five-year fixed rate deal at 60% loan-to-value. Now priced at 3.28% for five-years, this is available to both remortgage and purchase borrowers. The relatively low fee of £490 remains unchanged, as does the incentive package on offer with the deal. Despite the increase in rate, those looking to secure a mid-term fixed rate mortgage may well find this a tempting option. Assessed as a whole package, the deal earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating and place in our top tables.”

Key product details:

  • 3.28% fixed rate for five years
  • Product fee: £490
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
  • Available to: All borrowers
  • Incentives: Free valuation, and for remortgage borrowers free legal fees
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments.
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Buy-to-let

Furness Building Society – Two-year discounted-variable rate mortgage, 75% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Eleanor Williams, Finance Expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Furness Building Society has relaunched its buy-to-let mortgage products this week, offering a range of discounted-variable deals for landlords. One of these is priced at 2.39% and is available at up to 75% loan-to-value. On rate alone, this is now the lowest available within its sector. When taking into account the reasonable fee of £995, and the fact there is an incentive package available which includes cashback, this deal secures an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.” 

Key product details:

  • Rate: 2.39% discounted-variable rate (collared at 2.39%) for two years
  • Product fee: £995
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 75%
  • Available to: Second-time buyers and remortgage borrowers
  • Incentives: £250 cashback, and for remortgage borrowers free valuation
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments
  • Lending area: Great Britain.

Notes to editors

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years.

Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, business banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

We hope you find this press release insightful. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk if you decide to source this information.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

Notes to editors

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years.

Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, business banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

We hope you find this press release insightful. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk if you decide to source this information.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

Contact Us If you're looking for extra comment, a chart or more information, then please give us a call. We are always more than happy to help.
Rachel Springall Press Officer / Finance Expert
Caitlyn Eastell Apprentice Press & PR Assistant