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See a wide range of three year fixed rate bonds all in one place
Find a great three year savings bond
See the best guaranteed rates
We can help you find a great savings bond to start building your nest egg.
See a wide range of three year fixed rate bonds all in one place
Compare bonds looking at interest rate and minimum and maximum deposits
Click directly through to the provider to open your account.
A fixed rate bond is a way of saving for a set period of time when you know what interest rate you’ll receive at the end of the term. Here’s how it works:
Check out the interest rate and maximum and minimum deposits to work out total returns.
Opening a three-year bond can be done easily online. You can then make a lump sum deposit.
Savings are locked away for three years earning interest. Penalties usually apply to withdraw cash early.
After 36 months, the bond will end. Withdraw your savings and interest or move it to a new bond or account.
The amount you earn in interest through a three-year fixed rate bond depends on:
Your initial deposit
The guaranteed rate of interest
Our table shows how much you would make with a three-year bond at different deposit levels and different interest rates.
Initial deposit | Rate 2% | Rate 3% | Rate 3.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
£5,000 | £5,389 | £5,470 | £5,553 |
£10,000 | £10,778 | £10.941 | £11,105 |
£15,000 | £16,167 | £16,411 | £16,658 |
*Rates are for illustration purposes only and are not related to actual savings products on MoneySuperMarket.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding on fixed rate savings.
A guaranteed return at the end of the term
Can be a good option for saving a lump sum
Money is protected by government’s FSCS
No access to your money for three years
Early withdrawals could incur loss of interest
Interest rates could rise and your bond rate is no longer competitive
A fixed rate bond could be a good option, but you will be locking your money away for three years. Some factors to consider include:
Is the fixed rate significantly higher than an easy access account?
Bonds usually have maximum and minimum limits.
Do you want phone or online access? What are the penalties for early withdrawal?
You bond will end after 36 months. This is known as coming to maturity. You can either withdraw the money into your current account or put it into another fixed rate bond or savings account, such as an easy access saver.
Contact your bond provider to let them know your intentions. Often they will write to you in advance of your bond maturing to let you know your options. It’s sensible not to leave the bond proceeds where they are after maturity as they’re likely to be earning little or no interest.
MoneySuperMarket is a great place to compare fixed rate bonds at a glance
All the three-year fixed rate savings bonds available through MoneySuperMarket are shown in one place, ranked by highest interest rate first.
You can make life even simpler by letting us know how much you have to deposit and for how long you want to fix your savings rate.
When you’ve found the bond you want, just click through to open the account and make your bond deposit.
Either you won’t have access to your money or you’ll be hit with a penalty charge if you need to withdraw your money before your bond matures. Only open a bond if you’re confident you can lock the money away for the given fixed rate term.
Fixed rate bonds last for a set term and extensions aren’t possible. Once your bond matures you could decide to move your money and interest into a new fixed rate bond – but the interest rates are likely to have changed.
Always shop around to find the best interest rate for a fixed rate bond. Available rates tend to go up and down depending on the Bank of England’s base rate (interest rate changes) and how competitive providers are prepared to be to attract savers.
The maximum you can invest in a three-year fixed rate bond varies between providers. Some will put the limit at £85,000, which is equivalent to the amount protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, but you can save up to seven-figure amounts with others.
Yes, your money should be protected up to the first £85,000 per financial institution through the government’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme. All the well-known UK banks are part of this scheme - but check before you apply and remember to stay within the maximum limits for protection.
Fixed rate bond accounts are set up to receive one lump sum deposit when you open the account – not for regular savings. But check the terms as there may sometimes be a time window in which you can make a series of cash deposits.
Most three-year fixed rate bonds pay interest annually, but some accounts will pay this interest quarterly or monthly. You can often nominate a separate bank account for the interest to be paid into so you can be paid the interest during the fixed rate bond term. Read the small print of your bond so you know how your interest will be paid.
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