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Moneyfacts Pick of the Week - 22/01/2026

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Caitlyn Eastell, Apprentice Press & PR Assistant
Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst 01603 476169 Email Caitlyn
22/01/2026

Moneyfacts Pick of the Week

The Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Pick of the Week showcases the best of the latest products or rate changes to hit the consumer finance market.

Brief product details, together with independent Moneyfacts analysis, can be used with confidence in your finance sections. You can select one or two products to sit beside a relevant story or use them all as a general feature provided they are sourced to our spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

This week, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, Caitlyn Eastell has analysed the following deals, along with their perks, of note:

Moneyfacts Pick of the Week

The Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Pick of the Week showcases the best of the latest products or rate changes to hit the consumer finance market.

Brief product details, together with independent Moneyfacts analysis, can be used with confidence in your finance sections. You can select one or two products to sit beside a relevant story or use them all as a general feature provided they are sourced to our spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

This week, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, Caitlyn Eastell has analysed the following deals, along with their perks, of note:

Savings

The Stafford Building Society – Notice 180

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“This week The Stafford Building Society has re-launched a handful of its notice accounts. The Notice 180 fares best and now pays the market-leading rate at 4.61%. This may be an enticing option for savers who want to maintain some flexibility but get higher returns compared to an easy access account. Savers will need to invest at least £5,000 but further additions are permitted at any time. It is important to note that this account only permits up to two withdrawals per society year, and they are subject to giving 180-days’ notice, so they should be considered carefully. On assessment, the account secures an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.61% gross / 4.61% AER payable yearly
  • Notice / term: 180 days
  • Minimum opening amount: £5,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £450,000
  • Access: Permitted, subject to 180 days’ notice given. Up to two withdrawals permitted per society year (1 November – 31 October).
  • Further additions: Permitted
  • Opening account: Online, by post and in branch
  • Managing account: By post and in branch
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 16. Joint account option available.

 

Mortgages

Virgin Money – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Virgin Money has reduced selected fixed rates in its residential range by up to 0.24% this week. The five-year fixed rate option at 95% loan-to-value has seen a smaller reduction of 0.03%. The deal is now priced at 4.69% until 1 April 2031, this may be an enticing deal for borrowers on a limited deposit looking to keep costs low because there is no payable fee and it comes with a generous incentive package which includes a free valuation and £300 cashback. Borrowers may also note that overpayments and payment holidays are permitted subject to arrangement, which may be a bonus. As such, this deal now sits among the best in its sector, earning an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.69% fixed rate to 1.4.31
  • Product fee: None
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
  • Available to: First-time buyers
  • Incentives: Free valuation and £300 cashback
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments and payment holidays
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Buy-to-let

NatWest – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“NatWest has reduced some of its buy-to-let fixed rates by up to 0.11%. The five-year deal at 60% loan-to-value has seen a slightly smaller 0.08% cut and is now priced at 3.92% until 30 April 2031. Borrowers may note that there is a reasonable £995 product fee, which is then offset by its free valuation incentive, so this may still be an attractive choice for those looking to keep costs low. However, this deal is only available online which some may want to consider. On assessment, the move strengthens its appeal and earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.92% fixed rate to 30.4.31
  • Product fee: £995
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
  • Available to: House purchase customers
  • Incentives: Free valuation
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Online exclusive deal.

Savings

The Stafford Building Society – Notice 180

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“This week The Stafford Building Society has re-launched a handful of its notice accounts. The Notice 180 fares best and now pays the market-leading rate at 4.61%. This may be an enticing option for savers who want to maintain some flexibility but get higher returns compared to an easy access account. Savers will need to invest at least £5,000 but further additions are permitted at any time. It is important to note that this account only permits up to two withdrawals per society year, and they are subject to giving 180-days’ notice, so they should be considered carefully. On assessment, the account secures an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.61% gross / 4.61% AER payable yearly
  • Notice / term: 180 days
  • Minimum opening amount: £5,000
  • Maximum investment amount: £450,000
  • Access: Permitted, subject to 180 days’ notice given. Up to two withdrawals permitted per society year (1 November – 31 October).
  • Further additions: Permitted
  • Opening account: Online, by post and in branch
  • Managing account: By post and in branch
  • Other information: Minimum applicant age 16. Joint account option available.

 

Mortgages

Virgin Money – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 95% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“Virgin Money has reduced selected fixed rates in its residential range by up to 0.24% this week. The five-year fixed rate option at 95% loan-to-value has seen a smaller reduction of 0.03%. The deal is now priced at 4.69% until 1 April 2031, this may be an enticing deal for borrowers on a limited deposit looking to keep costs low because there is no payable fee and it comes with a generous incentive package which includes a free valuation and £300 cashback. Borrowers may also note that overpayments and payment holidays are permitted subject to arrangement, which may be a bonus. As such, this deal now sits among the best in its sector, earning an Excellent Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 4.69% fixed rate to 1.4.31
  • Product fee: None
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 95%
  • Available to: First-time buyers
  • Incentives: Free valuation and £300 cashback
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments and payment holidays
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Buy-to-let

NatWest – Five-year fixed rate mortgage, 60% loan-to-value

Commenting on the deal, Caitlyn Eastell, Personal Finance Analyst at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, said:

“NatWest has reduced some of its buy-to-let fixed rates by up to 0.11%. The five-year deal at 60% loan-to-value has seen a slightly smaller 0.08% cut and is now priced at 3.92% until 30 April 2031. Borrowers may note that there is a reasonable £995 product fee, which is then offset by its free valuation incentive, so this may still be an attractive choice for those looking to keep costs low. However, this deal is only available online which some may want to consider. On assessment, the move strengthens its appeal and earns an Outstanding Moneyfacts product rating.”

Key product details:

  • Rate: 3.92% fixed rate to 30.4.31
  • Product fee: £995
  • Maximum loan-to-value: 60%
  • Available to: House purchase customers
  • Incentives: Free valuation
  • Flexible features: Allows overpayments
  • Lending area: Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Online exclusive deal.

Notes to editors

You are welcome to use part or all of this press release, so long as we are sufficiently sourced. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years, Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

Notes to editors

You are welcome to use part or all of this press release, so long as we are sufficiently sourced. We would appreciate a link back to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

Pioneering financial comparison technology for over 35 years, Moneyfacts Group plc is the UK’s leading provider of retail financial product data. Used by virtually every bank and building society in the UK, and supplied to the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Ombudsman Service, HM Treasury, Prudential Regulatory Authority and UK Finance.

Our expert research team monitors the thousands of mortgages, savings, credit card, personal loan, banking, life, pension and investment products in the UK.

Moneyfactscompare.co.uk is the financial product price comparison site, launched as Moneyfacts.co.uk in 2000 and rebranded to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk in 2023, which helps consumers compare thousands of financial products, including credit cards, savings, mortgages and many more. Unlike other comparison sites, Moneyfactscompare.co.uk shows whole of market data regardless of commercial bias, showing consumers a true picture of the best products based on the criteria they select.

For more information about us please see our key facts.

Broadcast

Our broadcast suite enables our finance experts to appear in-vision for television, and we regularly comment live on national and regional radio.

To arrange an interview for radio or television, please contact our press department. We have an in-house broadcast room.

 

Contact Us If you're looking for extra comment, a chart or more information, then please give us a call. We are always more than happy to help.
Adam French Head of Consumer Finance
Rachel Springall Finance Expert
Caitlyn Eastell Personal Finance Analyst