The best savings rates are increasingly likely to be offered by banks you've never heard of.

Over the past three years new, "challenger" banks have come to dominate the best-buy tables.

Many are offering top returns because they are eager to grow their lending businesses and are looking to depositors for funds.

They are also likely to have lower overheads than traditional, high street banks, helping push up returns.

But many savers are concerned about trusting cash with new or little-known banks.

James Daley, an expert in consumer rights and founder of Fairer Finance, warns depositors to check if and where the bank is regulated and how savings are protected.

The UK safety net, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, protects £75,000 of savings per person per licensed institution.

Some banks rely on the compensation schemes of other countries.

Here we outline the best paying accounts of lesser-known institutions.

The Access Bank UK – Sensible Savings

Sensible Savings is the brand name of The Access Bank UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, one of the five largest banks in Nigeria.

The Access Bank UK was launched in 2008. The Sensible Savings fixed bond range was launched in 2014.