Interest on current account - 3% AER

  • Gadagaz's Avatar
    I am thinking of switching my current account but can't find a clear answer for this online. Forgive me but I'm not certain how the AER works. Assuming I put in £1000 p/m would I get £30 p/m pre-tax from this account, or would the £30 be paid as a snapshot of the year and thus be divided by the 12 calendar months - so effectively £2.50 p/m pre-tax?
  • 1 Reply

  • ScottW's Avatar
    Employee
    Hi @Gadagaz

    The AER illustrates what the interest rate would be if paid and compounded each year. In other words, it tells you the interest you'd earn by leaving your money in the account for a full year. So you're earning interest on the amount you've saved, as well as on the interest it has earned that year.

    It's paid monthly on the account, but the 3% rate is for the overall year, so the rate would be split across the 12 months. AER is often used for comparative purposes, in the same way that loans and credits have an APR.

    I hope this helps, but please come back to us if you have any other questions.