UK savers are being urged to move quickly if they want to snap up some of the best remaining savings deals before they are pulled.

Some institutions are still offering rates of up to 4.5%, which is ahead of inflation at 3.4% with the figure predicted to fall to 2.5% later this year.

The Bank of England’s pre-Christmas decision to trim the base rate – the sixth reduction since August 2024 – has begun to bite, with many banks quietly paring back savings returns.

Yet some standout fixed-rate bonds and easy-access accounts have proved more resilient than expected.

At present, savers can still find one-year fixed-rate bonds paying up to 4.35%, alongside an easy-access account offering 4.5%, though experts warn these deals may not last.

“January is the ideal time for savers to set new financial goals and check if their savings are working as hard as they can,” says Caitlyn Eastell at the financial data provider Moneyfacts.

Fresh inflation figures this week added another twist. UK inflation rose by slightly more than expected in December, prompting many economists to all but rule out another interest rate cut when the Bank’s rate-setting committee meets on February 5.

That could slow the pace at which the best savings rates are withdrawn. But there is a downside. “Higher inflation erodes the real value of the returns that savers receive,” says Alice Haine at the investment platform Bestinvest.

Despite this, competition remains fierce. This week there were more than 1,400 savings accounts beating inflation, with around half of them fixed-rate bonds.

Fixed-rate deals appeal to those seeking certainty. A fixed-rate bond can offer “peace of mind” by allowing savers to lock in today’s rates before they slide further.

However, hesitation can prove costly. Earlier this week, the top one-year fixed-rate bond paid 4.55%, offered by Marcus, the banking brand operated by Goldman Sachs. The deal was pulled within hours after being highlighted by MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis, triggering a surge of applications.

“It is crucial that savers are fast to react to attractive deals, otherwise they face missing out,” Ms Eastell told the Guardian.

At the time of writing, the leading one-year fixed-rate bond paid 4.35% on deposits of £1,000 or more, offered by Meteor in partnership with OakNorth Bank. Other strong contenders included Shawbrook Bank at 4.27% and OakNorth Bank at 4.23%.

Those willing to lock their cash away for longer can still secure two-year fixed-rate bonds paying more than 4.1%, with deals available from Shawbrook Bank, Investec and Atom Bank. Savers are advised to keep a close watch on the best-buy tables at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

For those who want instant access to their cash, several easy-access accounts still pay more than 4%. One of the most eye-catching comes from Chase, the UK retail arm of JP Morgan. Its Chase Saver account pays 4.5%, although the rate includes a 2.25% bonus lasting for 12 months.

The underlying standard rate is 2.25%, and the offer is only available during the first 31 days of becoming a new Chase current account customer.