Easy-access deals at 1.4pc

BANK of Cyprus UK has raised the rate on i ts Online Eas y A ccess Issue 18 account to 1.36 pc.

The rate includes a bonus for the first 12 mon ths, after w hich you earn 1 pc. The top easy-access rate comes from Coventry BS a t 1.4 pc. This includes a bon us of 0 .25 percentage points for one year, with a limit of three withdrawals.

Money Mail does no t in clude bonus accoun ts in the best bu y table. In the first year they are little better than a non-bonus account — the top rate is 1.3 pc (see table).

On each £1,000 this is just £1 extra and there is th e hassle of mo ving your mone y after a y ear. If y ou forget to mo ve to a ne w account, you may even end up worse off.