Not one standard easy access savings account currently beats the rate of inflation. This means all savers with cash in one are losing money in real terms as their purchasing power is diminished.
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.