After several tough years for household finances, Londoners appear to be entering 2026 with renewed determination to rebuild their financial buffers and, for some, to take their first steps into investing.
New nationally representative research from Meteor Savings suggests the capital is leading the way when it comes to putting more money aside.
While nearly half of UK adults (49%) say they feel confident about their ability to save as 2026 approaches, Londoners are notably more ambitious than the rest of the country. Almost half of Londoners (47%) say they plan to increase the amount they save each month in 2026, compared with 30% nationally. Investment intentions are also stronger in the capital: 24% of Londoners say they will invest more next year, well ahead of the UK average of 17%.
Saving remains the priority for most people, particularly given ongoing concerns about the cost of living and economic uncertainty.
Easy-access savings accounts and cash ISAs are still the most widely held products in the UK, owned by 50% and 44% of adults respectively. That preference is especially pronounced among older generations.
More than half of Baby Boomers (54%) hold a cash ISA, compared with 35% of Gen Z adults. Younger savers, however, are showing a greater appetite for investment. Three in ten Gen Z adults hold a Stocks & Shares ISA, a higher proportion than the national average of 23%. More than half of Gen Z respondents (57%) say they plan to save more in 2026, compared with 13% of Baby Boomers.
This generational divide reflects where people are in their financial lives. Many older households are retired or approaching retirement and are more likely to be drawing on savings rather than building them, while younger adults are still focused on accumulation.
Encouragingly, the desire to save is not limited to those who already have money put aside. Around 22% of people with no current savings or investments say they plan to start saving in 2026, suggesting that long-term financial ambition has not been extinguished by high living costs. Saving for resilience, not risk Despite growing confidence, most households remain cautious. For the majority, saving in 2026 is about building resilience rather than chasing higher returns. Two-thirds of UK adults say they have a specific savings goal. The most common priorities are building an emergency fund (around 30%) and protecting against economic uncertainty (22%)
Recent interest rate cuts have added another layer of complexity, particularly for savers who rely heavily on cash. Returns on savings can vary significantly between providers, and inertia can quietly erode the value of money over time.
Graham Devile, Managing Director at Meteor Savings, says the start of a new year is an important moment for savers to take stock.
“The recent rate cut is unwelcome news for savers who are heavily reliant on cash. As we head into 2026, this is a timely reminder that shopping around really matters. Savers should be reviewing where their money is held and making sure it is still working as hard as possible.” He adds that while confidence is stabilising, caution remains the dominant mood. “Saving in 2026 is largely about resilience rather than risk-taking. It is encouraging to see more people feeling able to put money aside, and as an industry we need to make it easier for savers to find competitive homes for their cash.”
Meteor Asset Management Limited is launching Meteor Savings, the UK’s new savings platform, designed to offer customers greater choice to higher paying saving accounts that can be easily accessed and managed through a single application.
A cautiously optimistic outlook
For Londoners in particular, the message is clear. Despite higher housing costs and day-to-day expenses, many are determined to regain control of their finances. Whether that means strengthening emergency funds, investing for the future, or simply getting started for the first time. If 2026 does mark a turning point, it will be less about sudden wealth and more about steady progress.
