Mini Cash ISAs: The Best ISAs currently available...

[samizdat]

Originally Posted by samizdat

... but do Santander allow transfers from their existing ISA products? I'll take a deep breath, and call them.

Oh, great, the Santander website confirms intra-company transfers are acceptable - no need to call them.

[KTF]

The advantage of calling them up is that they can do an instant transfer. Not sure if you can do it instantly online as I just phoned.

[10_66]

Originally Posted by samizdat

So I need to hold off applying to the AA until 23 March, or thereabouts.

No you don't need to wait to apply. If you want to open one of these I would suggest you make the online application now, which just prompts a pre-filled in form to be sent to you. The account isn't opened until they receive the returned form and deposit cheque. At least if you do it now, you'll have the form ready to send to them to get there as soon after the bank holiday (6th April) as possible.

[samizdat]

Originally Posted by 10_66

No you don't need to wait to apply. If you want to open one of these I would suggest you make the online application now, which just prompts a pre-filled in form to be sent to you. The account isn't opened until they receive the returned form and deposit cheque. At least if you do it now, you'll have the form ready to send to them to get there as soon after the bank holiday (6th April) as possible.

Actually, the thing is I already have an AA Savings account. When I applied for the ISA just now, the account was opened immediately. I was told the money would automatically come from my linked account within 10 working days, unless I opted to pay in by cheque (which I did, of course). So fingers crossed the account is kept open for new customers until 23rd.

I suppose, if the account is withdrawn, I can just opt not to fund the account, and open another one for the 2012/13 financial year.

[saintalan]

Just read through the last few pages of this great thread, so consider this a sticky bump!

[exel1966]

Originally Posted by samizdat

Oh, great, the Santander website confirms intra-company transfers are acceptable - no need to call them.

Could you please provide a link for this as I've been trying to establish this info myself.

[Consumerist]

Originally Posted by exel1966

Could you please provide a link for this as I've been trying to establish this info myself.

From the <Santander website>

If you wish to transfer an existing Santander cash ISA to another Santander cash ISA simply:

• Visit any Santander branch or call 0845 600 0181.

Hope that's what you are looking for.

[samizdat]

Originally Posted by exel1966

Could you please provide a link for this as I've been trying to establish this info myself.

http://www.santander.co.uk/csgs/Sate...COM_TemplateA1

I actually also rang up and did an internal transfer, as others advised here, so I can confirm this does work. Edit: I used 0800 587 2764 though, not the 0845 listed in the link! Edit#2: Consumerist beat me to it!

[Stompa]

Cheshire BS Direct Cash ISA (issue 1) rate increasing to 3.50%

https://www.emoneyfacts.co.uk/news/s...ticleid=214165

[Spiggle]

Good morning,

Thanks for pointing our the increase Stompa. Makes it a very attractive account for me now.

All the best,
Spigs

[DetainWino]

Bonus is 2.50% btw, nor 2.16% as stated on front page

[Eponym]

Can anyone help?

I have just over £18000 in my ISA, currently all in the Halifax 3% internet ISA whilst I look for something better.

I would like to leave £5000 in Halifax so I continue to qualify for the prize draw but am happy to move the rest.

I am planning to buy a house in the next few years and have few savings other than those in the ISA so would prefer an instant access account in case I need to get at the money.

Unfortunately I don't have a lump sum to pay in as soon as I open a new account so I need one which will allow me to deposit additional sums as and when.

Most of the ISAs on the list are either fixed rate and non-instant access, don't allow transfers in or have minimum opening deposits.

Does anyone know if transfers in count towards the opening deposit?

It seems like my best bet might be the Nationwide 3.1%. I'd rather not have to open the bank account with it though as I already have 3 current accounts as it is.

Can anyone suggest one I may have missed?

[samizdat]

Originally Posted by samizdat

I suppose, if the account is withdrawn, I can just opt not to fund the account, and open another one for the 2012/13 financial year.

Cross-posting from the AA Savings account-specific thread just to say that I have spoken to another CS rep today, who reassured me that the account is not going to be withdrawn before tomorrow, which means it is viable for 2012/13 subscriptions.

The account has been renamed the Postal Access ISA, but I was told the "postal" bit just relates to the application process, which has been changed now that we are close to the end of the financial year, and in fact the account will be capable of online operation.

[10_66]

Originally Posted by samizdat

Cross-posting from the AA Savings account-specific thread just to say that I have spoken to another CS rep today, who reassured me that the account is not going to be withdrawn before tomorrow, which means it is viable for 2012/13 subscriptions.

The account has been renamed the Postal Access ISA, but I was told the "postal" bit just relates to the application process, which has been changed now that we are close to the end of the financial year, and in fact the account will be capable of online operation.

Just in case I wanted to subscribe my next financial year's allowance in this, I applied for it a couple of weeks' ago to get the application form so it was ready to post off with cheque. I wonder if it matters that my "confirmation slip" now states Internet Access ISA (I may use BM's 2 year fixed rate at 4.05% instead, just hedging my bets).

[Spiggle]

Originally Posted by Eponym

Can anyone help?

I have just over £18000 in my ISA, currently all in the Halifax 3% internet ISA whilst I look for something better.

I would like to leave £5000 in Halifax so I continue to qualify for the prize draw but am happy to move the rest.

I am planning to buy a house in the next few years and have few savings other than those in the ISA so would prefer an instant access account in case I need to get at the money.

Unfortunately I don't have a lump sum to pay in as soon as I open a new account so I need one which will allow me to deposit additional sums as and when.

Most of the ISAs on the list are either fixed rate and non-instant access, don't allow transfers in or have minimum opening deposits.

Does anyone know if transfers in count towards the opening deposit?

It seems like my best bet might be the Nationwide 3.1%. I'd rather not have to open the bank account with it though as I already have 3 current accounts as it is.

Can anyone suggest one I may have missed?

Hi Eponym,

Yes, transfers in can count as your deposit so you could transfer your £13k to NatWest (but note the 3.25% doesn't kick in until 16th April if you do the transfer now), Santander or Nationwide. Apparently you do have to have another account with Nationwide but it's supposed to be easy to open the cahbuilder account as the same tmie as arranging the ISA.

Make sure the ISA pot remaining at Halifax is redesignated to ensure their best instant access interest rate is being earned. I believe this can be done quickly over the 'phone.

Hope that helps,
Spigs

[Eponym]

Originally Posted by Spiggle

Hi Eponym,

Yes, transfers in can count as your deposit so you could transfer your £13k to NatWest (but note the 3.25% doesn't kick in until 16th April if you do the transfer now), Santander or Nationwide. Apparently you do have to have another account with Nationwide but it's supposed to be easy to open the cahbuilder account as the same tmie as arranging the ISA.

Make sure the ISA pot remaining at Halifax is redesignated to ensure their best instant access interest rate is being earned. I believe this can be done quickly over the 'phone.

Hope that helps,
Spigs

That helps enormously, thanks Spigs. My Halifax pot was transferred on to the 3% rate a few weeks ago so I'm covered there.

As far as I understand it, eacch of the Natwest, Santander and Nationwide accounts will allow money to be added in dribs and drab throughout the year, is that correct?

[Kazza242]

Here are the latest updates to the ISAs list on page one.

Principality Building Society have launched issue 3 of their popular e-ISA, now paying an improved rate of 3.10% on balances of £1+. The rate includes a 1.30% bonus for 12 months from account opening. It allows transfers in of ISAs held with other providers.

I added the Cheshire BS Direct Cash ISA improved rate earlier this week. It pays 3.50% (increased from the previous rate of 3.35%). It does not accept transfers in. The rate includes a 2.50% bonus until 30/09/2013.

The AA have launched a new Postal Access ISA, paying 3.50%. It has a minimum opening deposit of £2,500 and replaces the Internet Access ISA, which has been withdrawn. The Postal Access ISA does not accept transfers in and the rate includes a 3.00% bonus for 12 months from the account opening date.

Saga have launched a new one year fixed rate ISA, paying 3.60%. It is available to those aged 50 or over only. It doesn't accept transfers in. It has a minimum opening deposit of just £1.

[Spiggle]

Originally Posted by Eponym

... As far as I understand it, eacch of the Natwest, Santander and Nationwide accounts will allow money to be added in dribs and drab throughout the year, is that correct?

Yes, you have it right Eponym.

Also Kazza has updated the list on the first page and a new Principality easy access ISA at 3.1% has been added. You don't need any extra account with it and it is an online only account that accepts transfers in and you can continue to subscribe new money throughout the year up to the £5,640 maximum allowance.

Hope that helps,
Spigs

[Eponym]

Originally Posted by Spiggle

Yes, you have it right Eponym.

Also Kazza has updated the list on the first page and a new Principality easy access ISA at 3.1% has been added. You don't need any extra account with it and it is an online only account that accepts transfers in and you can continue to subscribe new money throughout the year up to the £5,640 maximum allowance.

Hope that helps,
Spigs

Thanks! I think the Santander 3.3% will be the best option given that transfers in count towards the opening deposit.

[jonmcclelland]

Originally Posted by Stompa

Cheshire BS Direct Cash ISA (issue 1) rate increasing to 3.50%

https://www.emoneyfacts.co.uk/news/s...ticleid=214165

I am really interested in opening with the Cheshire for 12/13 yet can only see opening information for this current tax year with the minimum opening allowance.

Can this account be opened with next years tax allowance in mind, say with a post-dated cheque (6th April) as I've already subscribed fully this year?