By David Wilson, Fixed Income Adviser | Welford Capital

For many individual investors in the UK, the “British Savings Bond” from NS&I has been the go-to for security. However, as of February 2026, David Wilson of Welford Capital is helping clients look beyond the obvious. While NS&I’s latest fixed-rate offerings are hovering around the 4.07% mark, the private market is showing even more competitive teeth.

“Security is paramount, but in a 2026 economy where inflation is still a factor, every basis point counts,” says David Wilson. At Welford Capital, we are currently seeing 1-year fixed-term deposits from FCA-regulated providers reaching as high as 4.32%. For the high-net-worth individuals that Welford Capital serves, these discrepancies represent a significant difference in annual yield.

David Wilson points out that while the Treasury backing of NS&I is a comfort, the £120,000 FSCS protection on regular bonds provides ample safety for most. As a Fixed Income Adviser at Welford Capital, David Wilson continues to advocate for a “laddered” approach—spreading investments across various maturities to ensure both liquidity and the best possible average rate in a fluctuating 2026 market.