Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

cottager

Marks & Spencer Money Advantage ISA
(with bonus rate till 21 Apr 2010)

Don't know that it's worth adding anything to your entry in the first post, Kazza, but just for info there was a flyer enclosed with my M&S quarterly points statement which came today. For M&S card holders they're offering 2000 M&S loyalty points to open or transfer into this account (equal to £20).

Part of the small print:
Bonus points offer applies to new deposits and amounts transferred from other ISA providers to us between 3 February and 5 April 2009, into the Advantage Cash ISA option only, by new and existing M&S Cash ISA customers who are also M&S Credit Card or Chargecard holders. Offer excludes switches from the Fixed Rate Savings option of the M&S Cash ISA to the Advantage Cash (ISA option. To obtain the bonus points you must complete the application form(s) contained in the bonus points application pack. Bonus points offer not available for online deposits. Your points will be added no later than 30 April 2009 and converted to reward vouchers for your next or subsequent quarterly loyalty mailing.

2000 points would be nice but I've filled my sub this year and the offer ends on 5 April.

Also, in the main blurb:
Call now for a bonus points application pack, quoting ID09, 0808 004 4444.

That ID number above doesn't look like it's individual to me, just printed like the rest of the text, but I'm really not sure so if anyone uses it and M&SFS think you're me, my apologies.

TomsMom

cottager wrote: »

Also, in the main blurb:
Call now for a bonus points application pack, quoting ID09, 0808 004 4444.

That ID number above doesn't look like it's individual to me, just printed like the rest of the text, but I'm really not sure so if anyone uses it and M&SFS think you're me, my apologies.

No, not an individual code Cottager, my OH has had the same letter with the same code so you wont get into trouble.

Kazza242

The first post of this thread has been updated.

Some more providers have cut their rates in response to the UK interest rate cut in January 2009. Most notable cuts are by Ruffler Bank (now 3.30%) and Standard Life (now 3.00%). Northern Rock have replaced fixed rate ISA (issue 94) which paid 3.50% with issue 97 paying 3.25%.

Added to the list are the new one and two year fixed rate ISAs from Dunfermline BS, paying 3.25% and 3.75% respectively. They are available from 9th February. Also, added is the West Brom 30 Days notice ISA, currently paying 3.21%.

Standard Life's Freestyle ISA (open to Freestyle mortgage customers) has also been included. It pay 3.65% on current year's ISA subcriptions and the Standard ISA rate on funds transferred in.

I expect that more cuts will be applied by providers in the coming weeks following the latest Bank of England UK interest rates cut on 5th February 2009, by 0.50% to 1.00%.

Next update next week...

MarkyMarkD

Your Chorley description is still too generous (because it's too simplistic)! The bonus isn't 0.25% if you keep the account for a year, it's 0.25% of the previous year's 5 April balance, paid on the following 5 April, as long as no withdrawals have been made. So if you open it now, you can't possibly get the stated rate.

The_Enforcer

Kazza242 wrote: »

Mini cash isa's for under 25s that accept transfers in:

• Kent Reliance BS Direct Variable Cash ISA - Under 25s - 2.77% AER
  Rate guarantee? No. Rate effective from: 01/02/2009.
  Minimum deposit: £1. Operated via: Post.
  
  
  Mini cash isa's for over 65s that accept transfers in:
• Kent Reliance BS Direct 65+ Variable Cash ISA - 2.82% AER
  Rate guarantee? No. Rate effective from: 01/02/2009.
  Minimum deposit: £30,000. Operated via: Post.
  Interest payment: Interest can be paid away or compounded.
  Monthly interest option available? Yes (2.78% gross rate applies)
  

I wonder if it's worth keeping these two on the list, because for a saver who is within either of these age brackets there are several non-age-restricted ISAs that offer a better rate.

Lokolo

Yeh and there are some who aren't and want to use their ISAs.

MarkyMarkD

I agree with The Enforcer - they might as well get dropped now as they are no longer best buy or close.

Lokolo

I misread what he said... yeh get rid of um lol.

Kazza242

I'm going to leave the Kent Reliance ISAs for now, as there has been another BOE interest rate reduction let's not forget. Providers will be dropping rates again in the next few weeks in response to the rate cut, so these may be more competitive again when things balance up.

**Mini update - I've removed the BM 3.50% ISA which has now been withdrawn.**

MarkyMarkD

Today's news:

Manchester BS
PREMIER INSTANT ISA will reduce by 0.75% to 2.75% w.e.f. 16.2.09