How To Compare Bank Accounts And Savings Accounts

When you are putting your hard earned cash into a bank account, you need to know that you are going to get the best deal you can. For that reason you need to very carefully compare bank accounts and compare savings accounts on offer. Basically, there are two kinds of bank accounts for managing money on an everyday basis: a basic account and a current account. There is also a savings account for managing money on a long-term basis.

If you are worried that you may not be able to effectively control your spending, then when you compare bank accounts, a basic bank account may be the best choice for you. A basic account will still let you draw money for your personal use, and pay any bills that may arise. However, with a basic account you will be unable to spend more money than is in your account. In other words, you will be unable to put yourself in debt.

Many people like the restriction of the basic account. It imposes a discipline on them that, for whatever reason, they feel unable to impose on themselves. With a basic bank account you will get a cash card. This card can be used to withdraw money up to an agreed limit from any bank cash machine.

Some basic bank accounts will also offer a debit card. This will allow you to also pay for items without having to use cash, and in some cases you can also use a debit card online. But like the cash card, the debit card won't put you in debt. Bear in mind also that with a basic bank account you will not receive a chequebook, and you will not get an overdraft facility, even if you ask for one.

The other type of bank account that lets you manage day to day thing, such as drawing money or paying bills, is the current account. With a current account you need to be more watchful of what you are doing as it is possible to overspend. A current account requires more disciplined money management.

However, this is the most popular type of bank account with millions of people worldwide operating one quite successfully. They may overspend occasionally, but they have confidence in themselves that they can manage their money sufficiently well and not encounter any long-term difficulties.

With a current account at a bank you will get a cheque book. You will also get a debit card and a bank guarantee card, which will make your presented cheques acceptable. You will also be able to set up direct debits and standing orders, and you will be able to use the BACS (Bankers' automated clearing service) system to accept money from other sources, such as wages from an employer. In addition to all this, you will be able to set up a bank overdraft, with the bank's prior approval, of course.

The other type of bank account is the savings account. As its name suggests, this is an account that is used to invest savings. A wide range of savings accounts is available from most banks. When you compare savings accounts you should keep in mind the many different types including, but of course, not limited to:

• Internet savings accounts - these can often offer better interest rates as they have lower administration and set up costs, which means that what they save in overheads can be passed on to you.

• Instant access savings accounts - these have some of the benefits of a current account, allowing instant access to your account with being penalized for it.

• Notice savings accounts - with this kind of account you need to give an agreed period of notice in order to withdraw money.

• Fixed rate savings bonds - these offer a guaranteed fixed rate of interest for the time period that your money is invested.

• ISA accounts - these allow a limited investment each year with tax-free interest, and they come in two types, mini and maxi.

• TESSA only ISA accounts - this is a Tax Exempt Special Savings Account, meaning that the interest is tax free, but the investment has to be for five years.

• Child savings accounts - special savings accounts for children, which are often separated as children under 12 and children between 13 and 17.

All bank accounts will accrue interest. In fact, it's difficult to compare bank accounts, or compare savings accounts without taking interest rates into the equation. The amount of interest gained will depend on the rate offered and the amount invested. Generally speaking, a savings account will accrue more interest than either a basic account or a current account.