Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

surreysaver

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935125#Comment_81935125

Just laziness on my part. Principality is a long word!

surreysaver

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935118#Comment_81935118

It's a term of endearment. I've found them to be friendly, competent and professional. I like Prinky!

SickGroove

Just noticed when setting up new cash ISA with Charter, the FSCS deposit protection is still showing 85K within the downloaded documentation, instead of the correct 120K

Patr100

Just updated my Principality ISA from 5 issue to 7 via messaging. Nice to keep the same account number.

I had like others, been disappointed by the rate cut on the issue 5 last month but possibly volatility on inflation / Iran war and thus interest rates is enabling some to offer a slightly higher rate than anticipated back then.

CuparLad

ISA Transfers in to Principality from NBS-managed Financial Institutions

If you're looking to take advantage of the latest offer from the Principality, and you're transferring in from any financial institution that uses the Newcastle Building Society outsourcing operation in Wallsend (think Vida, Gatehouse, Aldermore etc), be aware of a wrinkle if you have a mix of current and previous years subscriptions that I'm not sure whether it lays with the Principality or NBS.

Let's say you complete the Principality online form and want to transfer both current year's and previous year's subscriptions from the NBS-managed financial institution to Principality. You'd think this is what you'd need to select on the form (as well as adding the amount to transfer):

I want to transfer all (the whole balance) and yes I've subscribed this year.

What's you'll get in your transfer is ONLY your previous year's subscriptions. NBS will NOT transfer the current year's subscriptions. You have to select a different combination of options:

You bizzarely have to choose PART (not all), then say you want to transfer both current and previous years. Only then will you get both current and previous years.

I feel like this is a badly designed form, but since I've had this happen with both Aldermore and Vida transfers, I wouldn't bet that it's not a problem with NBS.

Note also that if you do have to go back and retrieve your current year's subscriptions (because you only got your previous year's when you tried before), DON'T choose the "Transfer from previous and current" option because that will fail with "No Funds" (you've got no previous year's subscriptions). This is possibly also a poor design in the BACS transfer process.

Just thought I would share this frustration so some poor soul doesn't have to experience it!

gwapenut

To add to your list of people using the NBS outsourcing operation, I think West Bromwich old-style websave accounts do too.

subjecttocontract

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935528#Comment_81935528

I helped my wife update her Principality ISA to an issue 7 yesterday and am amazed how quick & easy it was. So, as I am usually one of the first to criticise any poor performance id just like to say well done & thank you PBS.

We don't ever feel disappointed by rate cuts on any account that has a variable interest rate......we expect it. If we want certainty we put the money in a fixed rate account instead. It's the price we pay for easy access & flexibility.

TurbulentCourage

RE: XTB 6% Flexible Cash ISA

It seems very good way to boost the interest on up to £40,000 - the maximum investment the boost interest can be calculated on. (I have contacted them this morning to ask if the monthly interest paid into the account also qualifies on top of a £40,000 investment).

At present the "normal" variable rate is 4%, which isn't that bad, but if after the 90 days another provider has an offering above this, you can always transfer. (If you put in £20,000 today and then another £20,000 on 06 April the interest for the year to 25/03/27 - assuming no rate change/withdrawals - would be about £1750).

With the XTB "normal" variable rate currently being above the BOE base rate, this is good but not guaranteed and their terms do not show that their "normal" rates are linked to BOE rates.

This next part of my comment is based on my understanding of ISA rules so please do your own research (or ask the MSE team):

Although it is a flexible ISA, if after the 90 days another provider offers a better rate but does not accept transfers (e.g. Atom Bank currently offering 4.25% variable) I cannot think of a way around this for the full £40,000+interest. Some providers allow you to transfer into a Stocks and Shares ISA then allow you to transfer to that providers Cash ISA so this could be a way, but I am not sure of this (Atom Bank don't currently offer a Stock and Shares ISA)

flaneurs_lobster

RE: XTB 6% Flexible Cash ISA

So 6% for 90 days same as 4.5% APR? (is that right?) Isn't this rate (or better) available elsewhere without the 3 month limit?

SickGroove

Hello,

Can I open a Trading 212 Cash ISA today, but not start funding it until the new tax year 6th April 2026?

Are they easy enough to transfer out of once the rate drops after a year?

Also, in June 26 I've got a maturing 40K cash ISA held elsewhere, so possibly thinking of just opening the Moneybox one instead, as they accept transfers in & just fund that one with new money from April 6th then transfer the 40K in June.

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers