Thousands of savers with Santander and Alliance & Leicester (A&L) accounts with a combined balance of over £50,000 can withdraw their cash even if locked away.
Taxpayer-owned Northern Rock has confirmed it is likely to drop its 100% savings guarantee, possibly making that announcement within the next few weeks.
Buckinghamshire Building Society has launched a new fixed-term savings account, which pays the top rate available over a year, and unusually could rise further during the lock-in period.