Cash point

Savers are being thrown a glimmer of hope as Nottingham Building Society has launched an easy-access account paying 1.55%.

This best-buy rate has knocked Marcus from Goldman Sachs’ 1.5% offering off the top spot.

Both the Nottingham and Marcus accounts are only available online, but there are options for those who don’t have access to the internet.

Sainsbury’s Bank (08085 405060) offers a Defined Access Saver paying 1.4% on balances over £1,000, and allows up to three withdrawals a year.

Yorkshire Building Society (0345 1200100) offers 1.35% on its Single Access Saver on balances from £100 and can be opened by phone or in a branch. And Britannia Building Society, part of the Co-op Bank group, (0800 132304) has a Select Sccess Saver that pays 1.2% on balances from £500 in branch and by phone.

Andrew Hagger, from Moneycomms.co.uk, said: “It’s excellent news for savers that there’s some healthy competition between providers. Things are starting to look rosier over the last few weeks.

“Unfortunately, most of the best deals are online, but there are still some decent options in branches and by phone.”