Fixed-rate bonds you’ll wish would never end

Expert analysis: Is now a good time to lock your money away?

Cathy Hudson

Money expert

After many years of low interest rates, the Bank of England base rate is now at its highest level for 15 years. This means savings rates have gone up too so now could be a good time to take out a fixed-rate bond.

However, there’s lots to consider before you decide to open one. The main thing that will determine whether it’s worth it is what will happen to interest rates in the future, which is almost impossible to predict with accuracy. Experts currently think the base rate may start to fall some time in 2024, but there’s no guarantee.

If there are more increases to come, you might be better off waiting a while before you commit to a fixed interest rate as you could end up earning less than if you’d put your money somewhere else. However, at the start of the term at least, you’ll be earning more than you would from an account that gives you easier access to your money, which will make up for when - or if – this difference narrows or even disappears.

It's not just about the interest rate you’re getting though. You might want to lock your money away so you’re not tempted to spend it or because you know that for the next year or two you won’t need access to it.

How do fixed-rate bonds work?

Once you’ve compared and picked the fixed-rate savings account you want to open, things are pretty straightforward.

• Application. With most financial institutions, you can apply online by putting in your data and going through an ID check. Some financial institutions don’t allow you to open a fixed-rate savings account with them if you don’t have a current account too. If the account you want to open is with a bank you’re already a customer of, you can often do it directly from your banking app.
• Deposits. Once the account is open, you have a short period of time to fund it (normally less than one month). After that, you can’t make any more deposits or withdrawals to your account until it matures. If you really do have to access the funds, it may be a slow process and you’ll incur a penalty (usually forfeiting interest earned).
• Interest. The interest will either be paid out “on maturity” when your lump sum’s released, or, in some cases, interest can be “paid away” monthly to an account that you nominate. It’s more lucrative in the long run if the interest is allowed to compound in the bond itself itself, but some people will be looking to generate a monthly income instead.
• Withdrawals. We can’t stress it enough: only put money into a fixed-rate savings account if you’re 100% sure you won’t need to access it. Because no. You. Cannot. Withdraw. Your. Deposit. In. Advance. More precisely, in some cases, you just can’t at all; in others, you’ll be charged a fee and your account will be closed.
• When the account matures. You’ll be able to access your money and you usually can choose to have it paid back into your current account (and then potentially look for a new deal) or “renew” your current deal by opening a new fixed-rate bond with the same financial institution. There’s no guarantee you’ll get the same interest rate as before though.

Should I get a fixed-rate savings account?

The first thing to do is make sure a fixed-rate savings account really is what you want. The interest rate is usually better than what easy-access accounts offer, but you’re giving up access to your money, so always consider whether it’s worth it or not.

Remember that if inflation is higher than the interest rate you’re earning, the value of your savings is actually falling over time.

Top deals for fixed-rate savings accounts pay up to 5.3% a year. At the moment the top rates on easy-access savings account are very similar to fixed rates. But remember that the easy-access rate is likely to fluctuate whereas the fixed one won’t, so then the question is whether it’s worth losing access to your money for the sake of a guaranteed return.

A longer period generally means a better rate, though at the moment, the opposite is true because interest rates are expected to fall from their current level (the banks factor this in when deciding what rates to offer on fixed deals).

While the loss of access to funds is generally seen as the price you pay for a better rate, it could also be seen as an advantage – if you’re tempted to dip into your savings and splurge on something, for example, you simply won’t be able to.

How to choose the best fixed-rate bonds

If you do decide that a fixed-rate savings account is what you need, comparing and picking the right one for you shouldn’t be excessively complicated. Here’s how to tackle it:

• How long can you do without the money? A longer period generally means a better rate (with the caveat that rates could rise when your money’s locked in).
• Compare rates. Obviously, the higher the better.
• Check the eligibility criteria. Make sure you can apply for the account you’re looking at. With some banks, you’ll need to open a current account first. Also, keep in mind that many fixed-rate savings accounts have a minimum deposit (this could be £50 to £500 or more).
• Look at where/when the interest is paid. Monthly, annually or at the end? Into the account itself or somewhere else?
• How much are you going to earn? This will basically depend on the interest rate, but to make a final decision it’s worth trying to figure out how much you’ll get out of the account with the amount you can afford to put aside.
• What’s the withdrawal penalty? While it’s a bad idea to withdraw savings from a fixed-rate account before it matures, make sure you understand whether it’s possible to take your money early and the penalty for doing so.