Marcus savings rates — compare every account, plus switch offers and guides

Who they are

Marcus is named after the firm's founder, combining a digital offering with the heritage of Goldman Sachs. Goldman Sachs opened Marcus for UK savers in August 2018 - a deliberate move to bring institutional-grade banking to everyday savers online. In the UK, Marcus focuses specifically on online savings accounts, with new customers able to start with just £1. There is no current account and no branch network. What you get instead is a clean, no-fuss digital savings proposition backed by one of the world's best-known financial names.

Marcus is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Customer service is handled by a UK-based team reachable by phone, on a free number from UK landlines, between 8am and 8pm each day. It is not an app-first bank in the way some challengers are, so if you want a slick mobile experience above all else, that is worth bearing in mind.

Savings accounts

Marcus currently offers three accounts. The Online Savings Account is an easy access option with a variable rate of 3.75% - made up of a 3.24% base rate and a 0.49% bonus that applies for the first 12 months. The Cash ISA works similarly, paying 4.01% in total (3.24% base plus a 0.74% 12-month boost). One thing to flag on the ISA: it is non-flexible, meaning any withdrawals count against your annual ISA allowance rather than being replaceable within the same tax year.

For savers who can lock money away, the 1 Year Fixed Term account pays 4.30% with no access until maturity. All three accounts start from £1, which keeps the barrier to entry low. All are protected up to £120,000 under the FSCS - worth noting that this limit is higher than the standard £85,000 you see with most UK banks, reflecting Marcus's position as a Goldman Sachs entity.

If you hold a bonus-rate account, set a reminder at around 11 months - not 12 - so you can compare alternatives before the rate steps down to the base level.

Is it right for you?

Marcus suits savers who want a reputable name, a simple online setup, and competitive rates without having to open a current account first. The £1 minimum makes it genuinely accessible. The trade-off is that customer service is phone-only and there is no switching offer or current account to bundle your finances around.

The bonus component on both the easy access account and the Cash ISA is something to watch. The headline rates are attractive, but the base rates underneath them are more modest - so staying engaged matters.

As always, rates move. Use the live figures on this page to compare what Marcus is offering right now against the rest of the market.