New figures from the Bank of England have revealed that the average interest on instant access savings accounts has slumped to another record low. The data reveals that at the end of February, the average rate for UK instant access accounts was just 0.17 per cent. The figure doesnt account for any reductions that may have come following this months half point cut, though it does include current accounts which significantly drag down the average.
Whilst the interest rate reductions have been excellent news for borrowers, savers are finding little joy in the current market. Savers with branch based notice accounts are being heavily penalised too, with the average rate just 0.18 per cent at the end of February half the average interest rate a month earlier. The average interest rate on tax-free ISA accounts, meanwhile, was 0.96 per cent at the end of February, down from 5.06 per cent a year earlier.
Head of Banking at Moneysupermarket.com, Kevin Mountford, said, Savers are being punished for the mistakes of others. And that so many are looking to find better rates at a time when you would imagine security and service would be paramount, shows just how badly savers are being squeezed.






