Finance glossary
Regular Saver
Also known as: Regular savings account, Regular saver account
In simple terms
A regular saver is a savings account that rewards you for paying in a set amount each month. The headline rate is often high, but it only applies to the balance as it slowly builds up.
On this page
What does regular saver mean?
A regular saver is designed to encourage a savings habit. You commit to paying in a set amount each month — often with a monthly maximum such as £250 or £500 — and in return the provider pays an attractive interest rate, usually fixed for 12 months.
These accounts are frequently offered to existing current-account customers and can carry some of the highest headline rates around.
How a regular saver works
Because you drip-feed the money in over the year, the full balance only sits in the account for the final months. So the interest you actually earn works out at roughly half the headline rate on the total you pay in over the year.
Many regular savers restrict withdrawals during the term, and missing a monthly payment can reduce your rate or close the account early. At the end of the term the balance usually moves to an ordinary account.
How could this affect me?
A regular saver is a good way to build up savings steadily from your monthly income, and the high rate makes it one of the better homes for that new money.
It is not the place for a lump sum you already have — a fixed-rate bond or easy-access account will earn more on money that would otherwise sit waiting to be fed in month by month.
Example
Pay £200 a month into a 6% regular saver for a year:
| Monthly deposit | £200 |
|---|---|
| Headline rate | 6.00% fixed for 12 months |
| Total paid in over the year | £2,400 |
| Interest earned | about £78 |
Illustrative and rounded. Interest is roughly half the headline rate on the total, because the money is paid in gradually rather than all at once.
Things to watch out for
- The high headline rate is earned on the growing balance, not on the full year’s deposits.
- Missing a monthly payment can cut your rate or end the account early.
- Withdrawals are often restricted during the 12-month term.
- It suits new monthly savings, not a lump sum you already hold.
Know your rights
- Money in a regular saver with an authorised bank or building society is protected up to £85,000 per person, per institution, by the FSCS.
- The provider must set out the rate, the monthly limit and any penalties clearly before you open the account.
General information, not personal advice
Consumer Credit is an independent information service. We do not provide regulated financial advice or sell financial products. For advice on your own situation, speak to an appropriately authorised firm or a free service such as MoneyHelper. About Consumer Credit.
Sources
We checked this page against these official and authoritative sources.
- MoneyHelper, Regular savings accounts (opens in a new tab). Accessed 22 Aug 2026.