Even though banks and BS are slow to reduce lending rates they are pretty quick to reduce savings rates, unfortunately all savings rates reflect the base rate and with the rate gone down another 1/2 % they will get worse best you can hope for is to shop around and try to get another fixed or guaranteed rate.

Re the FSA fortunately companies don't flit in and out of it basically if they are UK registered or trade here they will be covered by the FSA by trade I mean have offices and not just advertise say like the offshore companies.

The easiest way to find out how safe you will be is to contact the company and ask them

A who are you regulated by

B what guarantees does the regulator offer

Make sure you get it in writing!!

Im just wondering does anyone know if savings accounts interests will become more competitive i.e. increase alot more amongst the banking institutions in April, May and June, when ISA's are set to mature and when the rest of my accounts actually mature?

As at the moment im getting 6.5% at a fixed 1 yr rate on my ISA from Lloyds TSB, but they have recently sent me a letter stating the want me to open up an account that is paying 2.75% and to be honest i think that rate is a load of rubbish as ill earn less than half the interest i wil earn this year, even after i top up the account with another £3600.

I very much doubt ill take up Lloyd Banks offer this time.

Also i have other savings accounts that are mature in May and June respectively and id like to make sure I get an account with a good rate to put a lump sum of money.

Another question is if I invest in one of these foreign banks such as ICICI, Anglo Irish, First Save, IceSave will my money be safe for as long as its invested? I know that if the organisation is registered with the FSA your money is safe up until £50,000 per institution, but imagine this senario, where an organisation is registered in June 2009 and then in September 2009 it suddenly becomes unregistered with the FSA and my money is tied up in the organisation until 2010 June and then they go bust in Dec 2009, will my money still be safe or will I be at risk of losing all the money deposited in that Organistion?

Sorry if that Senario sounds ignorant, but if you dont ask questions you dont get answers and you'll remain even more ignorant.

Anyone in similar situations make some points if you can and anyone else who can give a clear insight into my questions please do answer, all your advice is much appreciated in advance and Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!!!