Act quickly or miss the top accounts

SAVERS need to act speedily to pick up the top-paying easy-access accounts — because they will not be around for long.

ICICI has withdrawn its Super Savings internet account after just a few weeks on the market. The rate — at 1.12 pc after tax (1.4 pc before) with no bonus and no withdrawal restrictions — made it one of the best deals available.

National Counties’ BS Online Saver 3, only launched on January 26 at 1.13 pc (1.41 pc) also disappeared yesterday.

A handful of other accounts pay a rate around this level, but either come with a bonus (which usually pays out only once) or restrict you to the number of withdrawals you make from your ‘easyaccess’ account in any one year.

Post Office Online Saver pays 1.12 pc (1.4 pc), but this comes with a bonus for the first year, after which the rate tumbles to 0.52 pc (0.65 pc).

Coventry PostSaver, also at 1.12 pc (1.4 pc), limits you to 12 withdrawals a year. And West Bromwich Branch Saver, at the same rate, lets you take money out only six times a year.

Kent Reliance pays a higher 1.2 pc (1.5 pc), but is only available to those who can get to one of its nine branches.

The best deal widely available to all in branches, through the post or over the internet, is Virgin Money’s Easy Access Saver at 0.97 pc (1.21 pc). There is no bonus and no withdrawal restrictions.

Nationwide, also widely available, pays 1 pc (1.25 pc) on its Limited Access Saver through branches and the internet. But it limits you to five free withdrawals a year. If you make more, your rate drops to 0.4 pc (0.5 pc) for the rest of the year.