💵 Rating system

Scoring: instant-access savings comparison

This is how we rate instant-access savings accounts. The focus is on interest, security and flexibility.

Maximum score: 100

Magnifying glass over a savings jar

Magnifying glass over a savings jar

Category	Criterion	Points breakdown	Max. points
Interest	Current interest rate	• ≥ 3.5% p.a. = full points • ≥ 3.0% = 20 points • ≥ 2.5% = 15 points • ≥ 2.0% = 10 points • ≥ 1.5% = 5 points • < 1.5% = 0 points	25
	Rate guarantee / fixed-rate period	• ≥ 6 months guaranteed = full points • ≥ 3 months = 6 points • No guarantee = 0 points	10
	Compound interest / interest payments	• Monthly = full points • Quarterly = 3 points • Annually = 1 point	5
Conditions	Account fees	• None = full points • With fees = 0 points	10
	Maximum deposit	• Unlimited = full points • ≥ €500,000 = 4 points • ≥ €100,000 = 2 points • < €100,000 = 0 points	5
	Minimum deposit	• None / €1 = full points • ≤ €100 = 2 points • ≤ €500 = 1 point • > €500 = 0 points	3
	New customers only?	• Also for existing customers = full points • New customers only = 0 points	5
Availability	Access to your money	• Daily / instant = full points • Within 1–2 working days = 5 points • Longer waiting time = 0 points	10
Availability	Number of free withdrawals	• Unlimited = full points • ≥ 6 per month = 2 points • Limited = 0 points	3
Security	Deposit protection	• German deposit protection + additional cover = full points • German deposit protection (€100,000) = 8 points • EU deposit protection = 5 points	10
	Regulation	• Regulated by BaFin = full points • EU regulation = 2 points	4
	Country risk of the bank	• Germany = full points • AAA country (Netherlands etc.) = 2 points • Other EU country = 1 point	3
Usability	Online banking	• Complete + app = full points • Web only = 2 points • Restricted = 0 points	4
Usability	Account opening	• VideoIdent, fast = full points • PostIdent = 1 point	3
Total points:			100

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Checklist with a growth curve

Checklist with a growth curve