How does the notice period actually work?

When you want to withdraw, you submit a notice request (usually online or in-app) for a specific amount. The clock then runs for the account's notice period — say 90 days — and at the end the money is paid to your nominated account. You can usually have several notice requests running at once, and the rest of your balance keeps earning interest as normal.

Can I get my money out of a notice account early?

Usually not. Most notice accounts strictly enforce the notice period with no early access option. A minority allow early withdrawal in exchange for an interest penalty equal to the notice period (for example, forfeiting 90 days of interest on a 90 day account). Check the specific account's terms before opening — and if you might need money instantly, keep an easy access buffer alongside.

Are notice account rates fixed?

No — notice account rates are variable, so the provider can change them. The safeguard is that providers typically give you at least your notice period's warning of a rate cut, so you always have a fair chance to serve notice and move your money before the lower rate bites.

Why do notice accounts pay more than easy access?

Because the provider can plan around your money. With easy access deposits, banks must hold funds ready for withdrawal at any moment. With notice accounts, every withdrawal is signalled weeks or months ahead, so the bank can lend the money out with more confidence — and passes some of that value back as a higher rate.

Who are notice accounts best for?

Savers with money they don't need day-to-day but don't want to lock away entirely — for example, funds for a planned purchase later in the year, business owners smoothing cash flow, or anyone who wants better-than-easy-access rates while keeping the ability to add money. They're not suitable for emergency funds, since you can't access the money quickly.

Are notice accounts covered by the FSCS?

Yes — notice accounts from UK-authorised providers are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person, per banking licence, exactly like any other savings account. Every notice account listed on DepositScout is FSCS protected. If a provider fails, you don't need to serve notice to get your money back — the FSCS pays out automatically.

Dashboard

Best Notice Accounts

Q: What is a notice account?

A notice account is a savings account where you must give the provider advance warning — typically 30 to 180 days — before withdrawing money. In exchange for giving up instant access, you earn a higher interest rate than easy access accounts usually pay. Your money keeps earning interest during the notice period.

Compare Notice Savings Accounts on DepositScout

Monitoring rates around the clock

Provider	Product			Min Balance
StreamBank Top pick	90 Day Notice Account	4.35% Variable	90 Day	£1,000
Stafford Building Society Top pick	Notice 180	4.26% Variable	180 Days	£5,000
Hampshire Trust Bank	95 Day Online Notice Tracker	4.22% Fixed	95 Days	£1
Compare Notice Account with other accounts See All Rates
United Trust Bank	60 Day Notice	4.20% Variable	60 Days	£5,000
Castle Trust Bank	Notice e-Saver	4.20% Variable	120 Days	£1,000
Oxbury Bank	Personal 90 Day Notice Account	4.18% Variable	90 Days	£1,000
Oxbury Bank	Personal 35 Day Notice Account	4.16% Variable	35 Days	£1,000
Shawbrook	45 Day Notice Account	4.16% Variable	45 Days	£1,000
United Trust Bank	40 Day Notice	4.10% Variable	40 Days	£5,000

StreamBank

Top pick

4.35%

AER

Variable

90 Day Notice Account

Interest Paid

Monthly

Access

90 Day

Minimum Balance

£1,000

Stafford Building Society

Top pick

4.26%

AER

Variable

Notice 180

Interest Paid

Monthly/Annually

Access

180 Days

Minimum Balance

£5,000

Hampshire Trust Bank

4.22%

AER

Fixed

95 Day Online Notice Tracker

Interest Paid

On maturity

Access

95 Days

Minimum Balance

£1

Compare Notice Account with other accounts

See All Rates

United Trust Bank

4.20%

AER

Variable

60 Day Notice

Interest Paid

Annually

Access

60 Days

Minimum Balance

£5,000

Castle Trust Bank

4.20%

AER

Variable

Notice e-Saver

Interest Paid

Annually

Access

120 Days

Minimum Balance

£1,000

Oxbury Bank

4.18%

AER

Variable

Personal 90 Day Notice Account

Interest Paid

Monthly

Access

90 Days

Minimum Balance

£1,000

Oxbury Bank

4.16%

AER

Variable

Personal 35 Day Notice Account

Interest Paid

Monthly

Access

35 Days

Minimum Balance

£1,000

Shawbrook

4.16%

AER

Variable

45 Day Notice Account

Interest Paid

Monthly/Annually

Access

45 Days

Minimum Balance

£1,000

United Trust Bank

4.10%

AER

Variable

40 Day Notice

Interest Paid

Annually

Access

40 Days

Minimum Balance

£5,000

Showing 9 of 9 results

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Notice Accounts at a glance

Best rate today: 4.35% AER
Top provider: StreamBank
Accounts tracked: 77
Providers tracked: 30
Protection: FSCS up to £120,000
Rates checked: 2 August 2026

The best notice account is the one whose notice period you can genuinely live with. A 90 or 120 day account usually pays more than a 30 day one, but only choose it for money you can reliably plan around — once you give notice, you still have to wait the full period.

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What is a notice account?

A notice account sits between easy access and fixed rate savings. You can add money whenever you like, but to withdraw you must first give notice — commonly 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 days. Once the notice period has passed, your money is released to you.

Because the provider knows withdrawals are always signalled in advance, notice accounts usually pay more than easy access accounts. Rates are variable, though — unlike a fixed rate bond, the provider can change the rate, and they'll typically give you notice-period-length warning of any cut so you have a fair chance to leave.

Your savings keep earning interest during the notice period, and most accounts let you have several notice requests running at once, so you can stagger withdrawals around known expenses.

How to open a notice account

Notice accounts are offered by fewer providers than easy access — often building societies and specialist savings banks — but opening one works the same way.

1Step 1 of 5

Pick a notice period you can genuinely plan around. Be honest about how predictable your need for the money is.

2Step 2 of 5

Compare rates for that notice period in the table above — a longer notice period should be earning you a meaningfully higher rate.

3Step 3 of 5

Check the minimum balance. Notice accounts often require £500–£1,000 to open and may have higher ongoing minimums than easy access accounts.

4Step 4 of 5

Apply online with your personal details and fund the account by bank transfer.

5Step 5 of 5

To withdraw later, submit a notice request in-app or online. The money is released once the notice period ends — diarise it so it lines up with when you actually need the cash.

Notice Accounts pros and cons

Pros

Higher rates than easy access accounts in return for planned withdrawals
You can usually add money at any time (unlike fixed rate bonds)
Interest keeps accruing during the notice period
FSCS protection up to £120,000 per person, per banking licence
A built-in buffer against impulse spending

Cons

No instant access — you must wait out the full notice period
Rates are variable and can be cut (with notice)
Most accounts don't allow early access even with a penalty
Fewer providers offer them, so less choice than easy access
Interest above your Personal Savings Allowance is taxable

Is my money safe in a notice account?

Yes — every notice account listed on DepositScout is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), protecting up to £120,000 per person, per authorised banking licence. The notice period doesn't affect your protection: if the provider fails, the FSCS refunds your money without you needing to serve notice.

Many notice accounts come from smaller specialist banks and building societies you may not have heard of. That's normal for this market — as long as the provider is UK-authorised and FSCS covered (every account we list is), your money has the same protection as it would at a high street bank.

Tax and the Personal Savings Allowance

Notice account interest counts towards your Personal Savings Allowance — £1,000 tax-free per year for basic-rate taxpayers, £500 for higher-rate, nothing for additional-rate. Interest above your allowance is taxed at your marginal rate.

Because notice accounts tend to hold larger balances for longer, it's worth checking whether your total interest across all accounts will breach your allowance. If it will, a Cash ISA shelters interest from tax entirely.

Work out what you'll keep after taxFree UK savings tax calculator — personal allowance, tax bands and take-home interest.

30, 60, 90 or 120 day notice — which is best?

The rate premium generally grows with the notice period. Match the period to how far ahead you can see your spending:

30–35 day notice

The shortest common notice period. A modest rate bump over easy access with only a month's wait — a good first step if you've never used a notice account.

60–95 day notice

The sweet spot for many savers: meaningfully better rates, with a wait of two to three months that still suits planned expenses like tax bills, home projects or annual costs.

120–180 day notice

The highest rates, but four to six months is a long time to wait if plans change. Best for money with a well-defined future purpose and a comfortable easy access buffer alongside it.

Notice Accounts FAQs

Straight answers to the questions savers actually ask.

Looking for something else?

Compare every account type we track, side by side.

Savings accounts

Easy Access

Withdraw whenever you like — ideal for emergency funds.

Fixed Rate

Lock your money away for a guaranteed rate.

Regular Savers

High headline rates on smaller monthly deposits.

ISAs

Cash ISA

Tax-free interest on up to £20,000 a year.

Junior ISA

Tax-free savings for children under 18.

Lifetime ISA

25% government bonus towards a first home or retirement.

Stocks & Shares ISA

Invest tax-free — compare platforms and fees.

Written by

Jonny Pease

Reviewed by

Jan Watermann

Rates checked 2 August 2026

How we rank·How we make money·Editorial policy

This page is for information only and is not financial advice. Rates and account terms can change at any time — always confirm the details on the provider's website before opening an account. Read our full disclaimer.

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