Cheshire, Derbyshire and Dunfermline – all part of Nationwide – have kicked off the new year with a new regular savings plan paying 5 per cent before tax (4 per cent after 20 per cent tax) for a year.

This is a better deal than basic-rate taxpayers can earn tax-free on a top-paying easy access cash Isa account. But you need to move your money after twelve months when the rate drops to 1 per cent (0.8 per cent).

West Bromwich’s new Christmas Regular Saver pays 4.25 per cent (3.4 per cent) fixed until December 31 2012 on a minimum £10 a month. You have access to your money without penalty from November 2012. But if you miss a payment before then, the rate plummets to just 0.05 per cent (0.04 per cent) and no withdrawals are allowed before then.  

Norwich & Peterborough and Saffron Building Society both pay a fixed 4 per cent (3.2 per cent) for the first year on their regular savings plans while at Yorkshire, Chelsea and Barnsley Building Society you earn 3.5 per cent (2.8 per cent) fixed until 30 November 2012.

On easy access accounts AA Savings has closed its top paying Internet Extra Issue 5 paying 3.2 per cent (2.56 per cent) to new savers. Coventry has also closed Poppy Online Saver at 3.15 per cent (2.52 per cent).  

Santander eSaver 4 at 3.1 per cent (2.48 per cent) is among the very best deals for easy access accounts you run over the internet. The rate includes a 2.6 per cent (2.08 per cent) percentage point bonus payable for a year.

Sainsbury’s Bank has raised the rate it pays on its Extra Saver to 2.75 per cent (2.2 per cent). There is no bonus payable on this account, offering savers a consistently good rate rather than one where the rate plummets after the first twelve months.  
 
Shawbrook Bank, a new savings and lending bank, which includes the former Whiteaway Laidlaw Bank, has launched top-paying fixed-rate bonds. Its one-year deal pays 3.6 per cent (2.88 per cent) fixed on £2,000 or more. Alternatively, the bank offers 4.2 per cent (3.36 per cent) fixed for two years or 4.45 per cent (3.56 per cent) for three years on £5,000 or more.
 
Halifax has launched a range of fixed-rate bonds for adults to open for children up to age 15 on a minimum £500. The bonds pay 3.4 per cent before tax fixed for two years, 4 per cent for three years, 4.1 per cent for four years and 4.2 per cent for five years.