Savings bonds

Savings bonds offer a safe way of investing your money and are popular because they tend to offer a high rate of interest for the term of the bond.

There is a massive variety of savings bonds available to suit all types of saver and attitude towards investment risk. Savings bonds are for medium to long term investments.

One disadvantage to a savings bond is that access to your funds can be limited and penalties can be applied if the saver does not abide by the rules.

This means that it is vital to check the terms and conditions before you sign up to a savings bond to ensure that it fits in with your requirements. It makes sense to compare different bonds to find the right one for you. Another important factor to consider is that with many savings bonds you cannot add to the original investment so you need to have the funds that you want to invest in place before you open a savings bond.

	The best savings bonds on the market Savings bonds are a great way of maximising the rate you can get on your savings in a period of low interest rates. However, there are pitfalls, as Kate Saines explains.
	Santander launches new range of high interest savings bonds Santander has launched a new range of fixed rate savings bonds that pay up to 3.55 per cent gross AER.
	Yorkshire BS unveil new savings bond that pays 3.40% The Yorkshire Building Society has unveiled a new savings bond that pays 3.40 per cent gross/AER.
	Shawbrook Bank launches 'gap-bridging' fixed-rate bonds Shawbrook Bank has announced the launch of two new products that could help savers who have found traditional bonds unsuitable.
	Yorkshire BS launch competitive new savings bonds The Yorkshire Building Society has revealed details of a new one year bond that pays 3.45% gross and an 18 month savings bond that pays 3.60% gross.