Online Bank Accounts – UK

Barclays (barclays.com) has just launched a competitive two year fixed rate bond paying up to 3.70%. Considering that a number of fixed rate offers have been withdrawn or reduced recently in the market, this new bond sees Barclays bucking this trend and offers one of the strongest products available.

Barclays top paying bond offers 3.70% gross p.a/AER on balances above £50,000 and 3.30% gross p.a / AER on balances below £50,000. The minimum investment is just £500. This bond can serve as a safe haven for customers, taking advantage of the ongoing low base rate environment which is not predicted to change in the medium term.

For customers who want a shorter term bond, Barclays continues to offer its one year fixed rate bond paying 2.50% gross p.a. / AER for balances above £50,000 and 2.00 per cent gross p.a / AER for balances below £50,000. Again, the minimum investment is £500.

This new two year fixed rate bond is available to existing Barclays customers and new customers. New and existing customers can open their fixed rate bond instantly through a branch. In addition Barclays current account customers using online banking can apply online www.barclays.co.uk/savings or by telephone banking 0845 301 0333.

Cahoot (cahoot.com), a division of Abbey National plc, is currently offering a 4.20% gross/AER 2 year fixed rate bond (issue 2).

To follow are the main features of this two year fixed rate bond:

• fixed rate of 4.20% gross/AER* until 1st November 2011
• available to new and existing cahoot customers.
• deposit from a minimum of £10,000 up to a maximum of £2,000,000
• it is a limited offer only, subject to availability, that can be withdrawn at any time
• no additional deposits allowed after the initial deposit is made
• no partial withdrawals allowed
• you can access your balance by closing your account early, which will result in a loss of 120 days’ net interest