Every provider claims great rates. Few can prove it.
In a market where short-term rate tactics are standard practice, genuine consistency is rare, and until now, difficult to evidence independently.
We created the Defaqto Banking Award to draw a clear, evidenced line between the two.
A quality mark built on 12 months of data
The Defaqto Banking Award is a pass/fail accreditation based entirely on savings rate data, independently tracked over a 12-month assessment period. There are no judges, no submissions, no shortlisting process. A provider's products either meet the criteria or they don't.
The 2026 award recognises products in five savings categories:
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Instant Access Savings
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Fixed Term Savings
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Instant Access Cash ISAs
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Fixed Term Cash ISAs
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Regular Savings
Assessed on data, not opinion
| Defaqto Banking Award | Best-buy tables | Other savings awards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measures rate consistency over time | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Covers all five savings categories | ✓ | Varies | ✗ |
| Data-led, pass/fail threshold | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Licensable badge for marketing use | ✓ | ✗ | Limited |
| Independent — no survey or submission | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
How we assess consistency
Products are ranked against the full UK savings market on the first of each month across a 12-month assessment period, generating 15 monthly data points. Points are allocated from 15 (top position) down to 1 (15th position). Qualifying products demonstrated:
- Rate competitiveness
Ranked within the top 15 savings products in their category for at least 10 of the 12 assessment months.
- Rate stability
Scores averaged across four overlapping time windows: the first six months, the second three months, the final three months, and alternate months across the full year. To qualify, a product had to perform consistently across all four. This prevents a product from qualifying on the strength of one strong period alone. - Product availability
Genuinely available to all UK adults throughout the assessment period. Restricted, introductory, or platform-only products were excluded.
- Continuous presence
Ranked in the top 15 for at least 10 of the 12 months and performed strongly in the final quarter.
For a more detailed explanation, contact us.
Talk to us about licencing your Banking Award
For a walkthrough of our assessment methodology, find out how your product performed or what a licence package comprises:
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Call 01844 295 546
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Email sales@defaqto.com
For other ways to get in touch...
Track your rate positioning all year round
The Banking Award tells you how your products performed over the last 12 months. Our market intelligence platform, Matrix 360, shows you where you stand right now, against the full savings market.
Contact us to find out how the Defaqto Banking Award and Matrix 360 work in sync together: the first gives you independent recognition for past consistency, Matrix 360 helps you maintain it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Defaqto Banking Award?
An independently assessed quality mark that recognises banks and building societies whose savings products have maintained consistently competitive rates across a full 12-month assessment period.
What is the assessment methodology?
Products that qualify for an award are determined using a strictly data-led assessment methodology. Products are ranked monthly against the full UK savings market over 12 months. To qualify, a product must rank in the top 15 for at least 10 of those months, perform strongly in the final quarter, and score consistently across four separate time windows.
Which categories does the award cover?
The 2026 award covers Instant Access Savings, Fixed Term Savings, Instant Access Cash ISAs, Fixed Term Cash ISAs, and Regular Savings. Additional categories may appear in future years.
What can we do with the badge if we licence it?
The badge can be used across digital channels, product pages, print, and point-of-sale materials. Email sales@defaqto.com for full details of the licence terms.
How much does the licence cost?
Pricing depends on the number of categories you qualify in and the licence period. Email sales@defaqto.com for a customised quote.
What happens at renewal?
The award operates on an annual cycle. Speak to our team for details of how renewal works in practice.
What other awards does Defaqto give out?
Defaqto also runs the Defaqto Insurer of the Year Awards, recognising insurers with high-performing products across car, home, pet and travel insurance. Our Star Ratings aren't an award, but they're an independent, data-led way to identify quality financial products across the market.
What can we do for you?
Call us today on 01844 295 546 or email sales@defaqto.com and let's start a conversation.