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MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM SYLVIA MORRIS
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Big banks used to pay Isa savers a pittance but now you can earn 4.25%, says SYLVIA MORRIS
22/04/25 09:00
For years I have recommended you stay away from savings accounts offered by the big high street banks. They typically pay a pittance because savers often keep their nest egg with their current account provider, so they don't need to offer great rates to entice us. The exceptions are their regular saver accounts, although these limit how much you can save each month....read
SYLVIA MORRIS: Top savings deals vanish after Trump's tariffs as I predicted - bank THESE while you can
15/04/25 11:00Following US President Donald Trump's tariff announcements, top savings rates disappeared in a flash - which is as I anticipated. Now, here's my advice on which rates to bank while you still can.
Trick to bagging a top fixed rate deal that doesn't stop you switching if a better deal comes along: SYLVIA MORRIS
08/04/25 09:00Nervous savers are pouring money into savings accounts to shelter it from the market turbulence caused by Donald Trump's tariff wars.
Buried in the Spring Statement - sign that Premium Bond prize rate could soon rise: SYLVIA MORRIS
01/04/25 09:00The Spring Statement revealed National Savings & Investments has been tasked with bringing in more money for the Government this year.
Beware the new Isa trick where a bonus can last just THREE months, warns SYLVIA MORRIS
25/03/25 10:00There are plenty of new accounts with rate increases popping up, but many of these now come with a bonus - which only lasts three months.
You ARE entitled to compensation if your online banking is hit by an outage: SYLVIA MORRIS explains how
18/03/25 10:00Bank websites and apps seem to go down all the time at the moment, leaving their customers unable to access their own money.
Five golden rules you MUST follow to build a tax-free super Isa - and maximise your allowance
11/03/25 10:22Individual savings accounts have been a prized tool for savvy savers for the past 26 years - and cash Isas are more valuable than ever.
Don't let your bank pull this sneaky trick to cut your rate, says SYLVIA MORRIS
11/03/25 10:00If I ask you to do one thing this week it's to check on the interest rate of your savings account to make sure it is still fit for purpose.
Four top savings accounts I love - because the rate WON'T plummet, says SYLVIA MORRIS
04/03/25 10:00Providers hope you will be pulled in by an enticing rate - often northwards of 5% - without looking at what hoops you must jump through to earn it.
Why I'd choose a fixed rate Isa despite the lower rates: SYLVIA MORRIS
25/02/25 10:01The market for savings products is a bit more nuanced at the moment - and requires a different tactic to earn the most interest over the long term.
Where to move your cash after the Premium Bonds rate cut: SYLVIA MORRIS
18/02/25 04:47If you are holding Premium Bonds, it is time for a rethink. Just as I predicted last week, NS&I say the prize rate fund will drop from April.
If you're earning less than 4% on your cash in a month's time, you MUST move accounts, says SYLVIA MORRIS
11/02/25 10:15Savers - I urge you to check the interest rates on your easy-access accounts constantly in the coming weeks, but don't necessarily switch yet.
Banks will give you an astonishing 5% on your cash Isa... if you know where to look, says SYLVIA MORRIS
04/02/25 04:42Isa season fell into obscurity when interest rates were at rock-bottom - this year, though, competition is heating up again.
The big banks totally ignoring Isa rules that you can open as many as you like, revealed by SYLVIA MORRIS
28/01/25 10:01You can now open as many Isas as you like in the same tax year - if you don't exceed your £20,000 maximum annual allowance.
Why the savers pulling their cash OUT of fixed-rate bonds are making a big mistake: SYLVIA MORRIS
21/01/25 10:10The time may have arrived for savers to change tack. Rates on easy-access accounts are starting to fall, while those on fixed-rate bonds are stable or rising.
My favourite cash Isas with rates of up to 5.05% that let you dip in and out: SYLVIA MORRIS
15/01/25 10:28It should be simple to get the best out of your cash Isa but it can prove tricky and time-consuming to navigate.
How YOU can bag a top 5% Isa - and the rules you must follow to boost your savings
14/01/25 04:50Savvy savers will know that cash Isa rates are nudging upwards with providers vying for our custom on easy access accounts.
Save your savings! If you have a cash Isa you need to know about this sneaky trick, says SYLVIA MORRIS
07/01/25 04:51If you are one of the savvy savers who poured money into their Isas this time last year, you need to watch out.
SYLVIA MORRIS: My savings ruse could help you cover your credit card bills for NEXT Christmas
01/01/25 11:55Setting yourself up with a regular savings plan should be high on the list of your financial New Year resolutions.
Cash in your NS&I savings but there's one account you SHOULD cling on to: SYLVIA MORRIS
17/12/24 04:48I'd think about ditching your NS&I savings accounts at the end of this week. On Friday, the rate on the National Savings & Investment popular easy-access account, Direct Saver, falls to 3.5 pc.
This easy savings move could make you hundreds of pounds richer - but you need to act NOW: SYLVIA MORRIS
10/12/24 05:02A strange pattern is emerging in the world of savings - and it is sure to benefit savvy savers. Rates on one type of account are staying put - or even rising.
I fear time has come to ditch NS&I before a rates avalanche, says SYLVIA MORRIS
03/12/24 10:01The grinches at NS&I have been dishing out massive cuts in its rates and prize fund in a desperate bid to stem the wall of money coming its way.
Premium Bond prizes are cut AGAIN... and I can predict what will happen to savers next and what they must do now: SYLVIA MORRIS
26/11/24 05:03The Premium Bond prize rate is already set to fall from 4.4pc to 4.15pc for the December draw. But from January it will drop to 4pc - the lowest level since August 2023.
Can't find a bank that offers joint savings accounts? Try these paying up to 4.65%: SYLVIA MORRIS
19/11/24 10:36Who would have thought it would be difficult to open a joint account? Well it is, judging by the number of readers telling me of their experiences.
After Bank of England rate cut, why you'll need to act fast to avoid a mediocre deal: SYLVIA MORRIS reveals how
12/11/24 10:21As the Bank of England reduced the base rate last week, most savings providers couldn't move fast enough to pass on the cut to their customers.
From £100 to £100k, where to stash YOUR cash savings to get the best returns: SYLVIA MORRIS
05/11/24 11:02MIillions of savers are facing higher tax bills on their savings over the next five years - but there are a few easy steps you can take to shield yours.
There IS a Budget silver lining: The rates on savings will stay higher
02/11/24 01:31The barrage of enormous tax rises and spending increases will undoubtedly hit household finances - but the good news is that it should keep savings rates higher for longer.
SYLVIA MORRIS: Why you must avoid savings account loyalty schemes with these two words in their names
29/10/24 04:40Loyalty schemes have become ever more popular since shops and supermarkets started offering two-tier pricing where members pay less on certain items.
SYLVIA MORRIS: Premium Bond prize rates are falling just as I predicted - here's what I'm doing now
22/10/24 04:02It's disappointing news for the 24 million of us who hold out hope every month of a Premium Bond win. As I predicted in Money Mail last week, NS&I is cutting the amount it pays out in prizes.
Why I fear Premium Bonds could take a Budget hammering: SYLVIA MORRIS explains
15/10/24 09:01When Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget in two weeks' time, all eyes will be on what tax-raising horrors she has in store.
Tell tale signs it may be time to lock away savings - and why three years is a sweet spot: SYLVIA MORRIS
08/10/24 09:03Now could be an excellent time to bag a fixed-rate bond - if the latest murmurings from the Bank of England are anything to go by.
Banks have triggered a new Isa rate war - here's how to cash in: SYLVIA MORRIS
01/10/24 09:08Fierce competition has been reignited among banks, building sociteies and investment platforms providing cash Isas, with several bringing out new deals.
Why that bank letter full of jargon could be hiding an interest rate rip-off: SYLVIA MORRIS explains
24/09/24 09:03Are you happy earning between 1.2% and 1.75% on your savings? That's all you get on an easy access current account with a High Street bank.
Best banks to use if you're looking after savings for an elderly relative: SYLVIA MORRIS
17/09/24 09:00If someone gives you power of attorney, it means you have a legal document that allows you to organise their financial affairs when they are no longer capable.
Choosing a junior savings account is far from child's play. Here are my tips: SYLVIA MORRIS
10/09/24 09:01A host of banks and building societies offer accounts, under names such as Junior, Child or Young Saver. But they have very different uses.
Are Premium Bonds set to become less attractive? SYLVIA MORRIS gives her verdict
04/09/24 10:01Investors bought and held 540,384,433 more bonds in this month's draw compared with last month's - the highest increase in more than a year.
NS&I quietly cuts its 5.15% bond on offer to 250,000 savers after five weeks... just as SYLVIA MORRIS warned
04/09/24 09:51NS&I quietly cut the astounding 5.15% rate it was offering to more than a quarter of a million savers on Friday.
Unlikely names now offering top fixed Isa rates? The big High Street banks! SYLVIA MORRIS
27/08/24 10:03For the first time in years, big banks are finally paying top rates on fixed-rate Isas. But, as usual with High Street banks, there's a sticking point.
Where to find the best savings rates as deals are pulled at lightning speed
21/08/24 09:01Savings rates have been falling at an alarming speed since the Bank of England cut the base rate to 5%.
How 225,000 lucky NS&I savers can get an astounding 5.15%: SYLVIA MORRIS
13/08/24 09:28Anyone who is one of the 225,000 savvy savers who snapped up Guaranteed Growth or Income Bonds last summer is being given a second bite at the cherry.
Britain's WORST savings accounts named and shamed... so is YOURS on the list of shame?
06/08/24 09:42Not even one of the duff deals exceeds 2%, despite the Bank of England base rate having stood at 5.25% for 12 months. Twenty-five accounts pay 1% or less.
NS&I reveals details of exclusive rate for 220k savers who opened 6.2% rate last year
31/07/24 10:36NS&I will offer new one-year Guaranteed Growth Bonds and Income Bond at 5.15% or 5.03% to existing bond holders.
Savers should grab this easy access account for a great rate with no hassle: SYLVIA MORRIS
30/07/24 09:00Ford Money's Flexible Saver is an online easy-access account, which you can open with £1, which allows you to withdraw money when you choose.
I'm a savings expert - here's how banks are quoting incorrect rules for cash Isas
23/07/24 10:22Big banks and building societies are giving incorrect information to savers about Isas, I can reveal.
Watch out if you have one of these nine easy-access accounts: SYLVIA MORRIS
16/07/24 09:02Savers, be on your guard. Rates on some easy-access accounts are already being cut, reducing the reward for prudent saving significantly.
Why you shouldn't be tempted to cash in your Premium Bonds and buy new ones if they feel 'unlucky'
10/07/24 08:20Savings experts say the main thing is not how long you have held the bond for, but the amount of bonds you hold.
What savers must do now before a Labour Budget targets their nest eggs: SYLVIA MORRIS
09/07/24 09:01Take cover. Our savings are likely to be in the line of fire over the next five years as the new Labour government turns its guns on finding more money.
Is YOUR local building society offering top savings rates?
03/07/24 11:30Building societies are stepping up to the mark to reward members with top savings rates.
Some lucky NS&I savers have earnt 11.11% - but is now the time to switch? SYLVIA MORRIS
02/07/24 09:18While soaring inflation has ravaged savers' nest eggs recently, one group has remained unaffected - the holders of Index-Linked Savings Certificates from NS&I.
Now is the time to bite the bullet and lock your savings away for longer, says SYLVIA MORRIS
25/06/24 09:00With the inflation dragon appearing to have been slain, falling to the 2% target in recent data, there is a risk that savings rates could similarly plummet.
Why I think the top cash Isa rates are set to rise - and where to find them: SYLVIA MORRIS
18/06/24 09:00Savers are pouring money into cash Isas as they look to protect the interest on their nest eggs from tax. They put more than £11bn into cash Isas in April.
Marcus to cut its easy-access rate to 4.55% - are there now better options?
12/06/24 11:21Marcus will cut the rate on its easy-access savings account to 4.55% from Saturday - can you find better rates elsewhere?
My golden rules for picking a regular savings account: SYLVIA MORRIS
11/06/24 09:01Regular savings accounts are accounts designed for savers who put money aside every month and reward them with a generous interest rate.
Should you join rush to savings platforms that offer top deals? SYLVIA MORRIS
04/06/24 09:01Savings platforms tell me they are becoming ever-more popular. And they are determined to bring their wares to a wider public.
NS&I quietly boosts rate on two of its savings accounts including its income bonds
30/05/24 01:47NS&I planned to announce the changes last week with the usual fanfare, but the election announcement scuppered that plan.
How £5,000 is the magic number to save at Nationwide if you want the £100 perk, says SYLVIA MORRIS
28/05/24 09:01Great news for 3.85 million Nationwide customers. They will see a £100 payout land in their current accounts between June 13 and 28.
What new 'fair value' savings rate rules will mean for you - SYLVIA MORRIS explains
21/05/24 09:01The clock is ticking for savings providers. They now have just a few weeks left to get their act together and start offering loyal customers a good deal.
Savers rush to open new savings accounts paying up to 5.05% - should you? SYLVIA MORRIS explains
14/05/24 09:33Limited access accounts are surging in popularity. Last week Paragon came out with a new version which propelled it to the top of the best buy tables.
Here's one type of savings account you SHOULD get from a High Street bank - SYLVIA MORRIS
07/05/24 09:28Providers pushed up their rates in April, with several offering more than 5% on a one-year fixed rate cash Isa. But those have all disappeared.
Looking to fix your savings? A two-year deal is my tip, says SYLVIA MORRIS
30/04/24 10:43A new savings sweet spot has emerged, and short-sighted savers could miss out on higher returns if they stick with the ever popular one-year staple.
Why the Virgin Money takeover may mean BETTER Nationwide savings rates - SYLVIA MORRIS explains
23/04/24 09:29Nationwide's takeover of Virgin Money is hitting the headlines as thousands of customers protest that they will not get a vote on whether it should happen.
Will your bank let you open more than one cash Isa? We reveal the giants ignoring new rules
16/04/24 09:00Isas already allow you to earn tax-free interest on up to £20,000 each tax year. But under recent reforms, they are now supposed to be more flexible.
I'm a savings expert and here's why I believe NS&I will have to boost Premium Bond prizes
09/04/24 09:12NS&I's new British Savings Bond, announced with much fanfare in the spring Budget, turns out to be just another three-year bond with a mediocre rate.
Tax trap on new NS&I British Savings Bonds when you pay in just £7,700
09/04/24 09:12Savers who put £7,705 into NS&I's new British Savings Bonds could be landed with a tax bill in three years' time, due to how they are structured.
Don't let banks roll your Isa into an easy access account paying just 1.5%, says SYLVIA MORRIS
02/04/24 09:18Savers poured billions of pounds into fixed-rate deals this time last year. The most popular accounts are coming to the end of their term.
Don't sift through 530 cash Isas to beat next week's deadline... pick one of these, says SYLVIA MORRIS
26/03/24 10:10You only have a few days left if you want to find the best place for your Isa allowance of up to £20,000 for this tax year before it disappears on April 5.
Did you spot smoke and mirrors trick that Santander pulled last week? SYLVIA MORRIS explains
19/03/24 10:06Santander, which has more than 14m customers, said it was acting proactively as it slashed one of its top savings rates by a massive 20%.
Why you NEED a cash Isa this year - and how to save and invest tax-free
13/03/24 11:57Savers and investors face another tax raid this year, making it even more important that they make the most of their Isa allowance. This is what you need to know.
Why it could be time for savers to snap up 5% two-year fixes: Savings expert SYLVIA MORRIS explains
13/03/24 12:09We savers love an easy-access account. There is £910bn of savings sitting in them - over three times the £269bn in fixed-rate bonds.
Six money experts on what YOU should do after the Budget: From pensions to property... and British Isas
07/03/24 11:52Our top personal finance experts and a tax guru reveal what you should do now to protect your wealth: from pensions, to property, investing and savings.
Be warned - banks tell me they WON'T be ready for major Isa shake-up, says SYLVIA MORRIS
05/03/24 10:00With a month to go until April 6 when changes to Isa rules are supposed to kick in, industry insiders say providers are far from ready.
There's no rule to stop banks paying awful rates: SYLVIA MORRIS names the worst offenders
27/02/24 10:44Savers who nabbed the top- paying easy-access Isa from Santander last year enjoyed a rate of 3.2%, but after one year it drops to a dismal 1.2%.
Got more than £20,000 saved up? Here are the top accounts to open right now
20/02/24 10:01There's good news for all of you who long to use a cash Isa as a nest egg and have been waiting for providers to step up to the plate.
Avoid savings deals at top of best-buy tables - unless you make these checks first
13/02/24 11:05Banks and building societies use all sorts of tricks to get to the top of the tables so those that do will not necessarily prove the best pick for you.
Want a quick boost for your savings? Try these top rates few know about
07/02/24 11:54For savers seeking to squeeze every last drop of interest from their nest egg, there's a new place to look. For the first time I can remember, lesser-known notice accounts top the charts.
Should you fix your mortgage or savings? Experts reveal what they'd do in our definitive guide
05/02/24 02:21In our definitive guide to whether to fix, we look at the forecasts for interest rates and ask our panel of savings and mortgage experts what they would do.
4MILLION of us pay tax on our interest -and there's absolutely no need! THE SAVINGS GURU
30/01/24 10:02There are over four million accounts where savers are at risk of paying tax on their interest, up nearly a million within just six months.
I fear banks are set to make a blizzard of cuts on easy-access rates: THE SAVINGS GURU
23/01/24 10:00While deals on fixed-rate savings accounts have been falling dramatically, variable-rate accounts have held just about steady - until now.
I predict more Premium Bond rate cuts - but I'm still not selling mine! THE SAVINGS GURU
17/01/24 02:00I am holding on to my Premium Bonds, at least for now - though I would have done better putting the money into my cash Isa given my winnings over the past year. Here's why.
How to make your Isa a flexible friend and beat the savings tax raid: SYLVIA MORRIS
09/01/24 10:26Flexible Isas allow you to take money out and put it back within the same tax year without it counting towards your annual Isa allowance.
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