2 Year Fixed Rate Bonds

There are a number of options for savers when looking for a home for your money from instant access savings accounts, easy access savings accounts, notice savings accounts, fixed rate bonds and structured deposit plans.

While instant access and easy access and notice accounts provide very short term solutions if you are prepared to tie up capital for a set period of time a fixed rate bond could be right for you.

Different terms are available  with many savings providers offering 1 year, 2 year, 3 year and 5 year fixed rate bond options. 4 year fixed rate bonds are less commonly available.

• For savers who are prepared to lock capital away for a 2 year period, a 2 year fixed rate bond will generally offer a higher rate of interest than a shorter term account. Some providers offer 2 year fixed rate cash ISAs so you benefit from tax free interest returns.
• 2 year fixed rate bonds normally have a minimum subscription age of 18 but some providers offer fixed rate bonds to younger savers.
• Normally there is a minimum commitment for depositing money into a 2 year fixed rate bond – usually around £1,000, but this can be more.
• With a 2 year fixed rate bond savings providers do not normally allow you to access your money during the savings term and if they do there are normally conditions which may involve a loss of interest so ensure you read the terms and conditions before you sign up. Some fixed interest providers will allow withdrawals during the two year term but there may be interest penalties.
• The savings interest you earn during the 2 year fixed term is treated as income and you may have to pay tax on it depending on your circumstances. If you don’t pay tax you can receive interest gross if you complete HMRC tax form R85 which is available from your savings provider or directly from HMRC. Some fixed rate savings accounts will pay interest gross and it is up to you to declare any tax owed to the Inland Revenue. Some 2 year fixed rate bonds pay interest monthly, quarterly, annually or on maturity which allows you to plan you tax planning.
• Fixed rate bonds are cash deposit based and you will get back your original deposit plus any interest owed unless the bank or building society gets into serious financial difficulty. In the unlikely event that the fixed rate bond provider defaults the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) would pay compensation of up to £85,000 per account holder per authorised institution.

• Interest Rates are changing all the time Consider all options – from instant access to fixed rate bonds to Cash ISAs – All have advantages and disadvantages when trying to build a nest egg for the future.
• Shop around the savings market – Fixed rate bond interest rates are changing all the time and deals on fixed rate bonds come and go.
• The choice of 2 year fixed rate bond bond is principally dependent on the amount of money you intend to save and the rate of interest, and the length of the fixed rate period. Other factors might include how you want the bond to be operated on an online account basis, postal basis or telephone basis. These should all be taken into consideration before making your choice. Read the savings bond provider terms and conditions carefully.
• Read the small print – determine when the provider is likely to let you access your money, how much notice is required, and if there are any penalties for requesting access before the 2 year fixed rate bond matures.
• Check that your money is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme – they will guarantee £85,000 of savings against institutional failure. Most UK banks should have this cover.
• Savings bond providers will write to you when your account matures; if you do not respond within a certain time the provider will often put your savings into a low or no interest holding account until you provide instructions on what you want to do with the money. It is therefore important to diarise the maturity of your fixed rate bond and have in mind what you want to do with the maturity proceeds.