New Halifax ISA 2.8%-3.0%

Baldur

I'd do it around a month in advance, specifying the maturity date of the old ISA as the date on which I wish the transfer to take place.

Personally, I'd complete the transfer application in-branch, so there's no doubt about when the form was received.

Consumerist

Transfer forms vary but there is usually an option to either (a) transfer the ISA immediately or (b) wait till the expiry of any contracted term before the transfer.

Your transfer-in must be received within 60 days of opening the Halifax ISA; this usually means within 60 days of your application date.

Edit
You can download a Halifax transfer form here. It contains a section with the above options.
In my case, I applied by phone and sent the downloaded transfer form by post which was received two days later. Interest was credited to the ISA (for the transfer period) when the transfer-in was received.

jennifernil

OK, thanks!

I better swing into action soon then as our present ISAs come to the end of their fixed term/rate on Dec 15th.

miller

I also got the standard ISA declaration to sign and return today before I can use the account (about a week after applying by phone). No sign of the transfer form yet (I can always download it).

jennifernil

Well, I decided to go the "on-line route" so we applied last night and now have an ISA each showing on our internet banking. Paperwork to follow apparently.

Since OH was at the dentist today, I asked him to pop into our branch and pick up 6 transfer forms (3 ISAs each to transfer). Just to be MSE and save our blue printer ink!

He was met with a blank stare!

Then questions.....are we transferring to them or away from them......do we have an ISA already? When he said we wanted to transfer to them he was told to come to the branch and they would sort it. The woman had apparently never heard of this form!

What is going on here? Am I really supposed to believe that they do not have these forms in the branches?

We have printed off 2 copies for the first ISAs we need to transfer, so I will be taking them to hand in next time I am out. Maybe then she will be able to find them!

rb10

jennifernil wrote: »

What is going on here? Am I really supposed to believe that they do not have these forms in the branches?

We have printed off 2 copies for the first ISAs we need to transfer, so I will be taking them to hand in next time I am out. Maybe then she will be able to find them!

They won't keep paper copies of the form (as if you transfer an ISA to them when in a meeting with an advisor they just put it straight onto the system), but she should be able to print out one from their website..

jennifernil

Really? You live and learn then!

They would still need to print it as it has to be signed.

I did say to OH that he should have said to her "let me show you where to find it on your own website, then you can print me some copies" !!

It was mainly the fact that this person seemed to have no idea what this form actually was that amazed me.

I hope they know what to do with them when I take them in!

opinions4u

jennifernil wrote: »

Really? You live and learn then!

They would still need to print it as it has to be signed.

Maybe. But there's a reasonable chance that the data collection is used to produce the personalised form that is then printed off for signature.

I did say to OH that he should have said to her "let me show you where to find it on your own website, then you can print me some copies" !!

Yup - that would have done the job!

It was mainly the fact that this person seemed to have no idea what this form actually was that amazed me.

The person on a reception desk is unlikely to know the full sales process because they're not authorised to sell. Merely to point you in the right direction (to someone paid to sell!).

Because the online process and branch process are slightly different, it's created a confusion when they've become intermingled. While I'd have hoped staff members could work out how to react to such a request a little bit better, I understand why that hasn't happened.

jennifernil

I have been ploughing through the T&Cs and there are a few points that are not 100% clear to me......

They keep referring to the 12 month "Reward period"......12 months from when?

When I opened it (i.e. yesterday), when it is funded by my transfer in (depends how long that takes them), when they get my transfer request, or some arbitrary date linked to when the ISA first became available?

If the rate drops within this period, and I want to move to another provider, do I still get the Reward rate (whatever it is) up to the date of transfer? (I think YES, but only 90% sure)

After the Reward period ends it then pays a rubbish rate of about 0.5% ?

If I don't go ahead with the transfer in, the account will just close after 60 days?

jennifernil

opinions4u wrote: »

The person on a reception desk is unlikely to know the full sales process because they're not authorised to sell. Merely to point you in the right direction (to someone paid to sell!).

Because the online process and branch process are slightly different, it's created a confusion when they've become intermingled. While I'd have hoped staff members could work out how to react to such a request a little bit better, I understand why that hasn't happened.

The woman in question actually seems to be quite senior, and has been there a long time. She has actually assisted me with account opening in the past, that's what made it worrying!