Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

Middle_Sister

Taken from the start of the thread (but couldn't open on line so will have to go to branch).

2 Year Fixes:
Saga Fixed Rate ISA - 3.60% AER
Minimum deposit: £30,000+ (to qualify for the higher rate).
Monthly interest option available? Yes. See here for monthly interest rates.
Notes: Fixed for two years from account opening. Balances totalling £1 - £29,999 receive a rate of 3.50%.
Santander Fixed Rate Postal ISA - 3.50% :starmod: NEW :starmod:
Minimum deposit: £1.
Notes: Fixed until 01/04/2012.
Cheltenham & Gloucester Fixed Rate ISA (issue 5) - 3.50%
Minimum deposit: £100+.
Monthly interest option available? Yes. See here for monthly interest rates.
Notes: Fixed until 31/06/2012.
Alliance & Leicester Fixed Rate ISA - 3.50%
Minimum deposit: £500+
Notes: Fixed until 01/04/2012.
Birmingham Midshires (Postal) Fixed Rate ISA - 3.50%
Minimum deposit: £500+
Notes: Fixed for two years from account opening.
Halifax Fixed Rate ISA Saver - 3.50%
Minimum deposit: £500+
Notes: Fixed for two years from account opening.

SaSI_3

I have a question for anyone who excels at maths! I have an Alliance and Leicester account and a Barclays account so I'm eligible for either of their best-buy ISA products. My question is: the Santander ISA pays a higher interest rate, however, I can link the Barclays ISA to my mortgage offset arrangement, which additionally gives me a reduction on my mortgage interest. My problem is that I can't calculate which would be best for me.......any advice would be most welcome!

curlygirl1971

SaSi

A MSE poster called 'Locoblade' has produced a mortgage calculator spreadsheet that includes an option for offset.....With a little work and inputting by yourself, this may help you with at least part of your question. If you search for his thread and then find the link to his spreadsheet in the first post. When comparing interest saved on your mortgage against interest earned elsewhere you will need to compare like periods of time.

SaSI_3

Thanks! I'll take a look at that.....with either option there is no option to transfer existing ISAs so I'll be investing the same amount, hopefully this will make it a little easier to work out which option gives the best return. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

apt

Nationwide 3 year fix at 4.4% was withdrawn yesterday.

Froggitt

SaSI wrote: »

I have a question for anyone who excels at maths! I have an Alliance and Leicester account and a Barclays account so I'm eligible for either of their best-buy ISA products. My question is: the Santander ISA pays a higher interest rate, however, I can link the Barclays ISA to my mortgage offset arrangement, which additionally gives me a reduction on my mortgage interest. My problem is that I can't calculate which would be best for me.......any advice would be most welcome!

Presumably if the ISA rate from A&L is higher than the mortgage interest rate, thats gotta be the way to go?

Ive never heard of an Offset ISA though........thru Barclays or anyone else.....what would be the point as an Offset savings account doesnt pay any interest anyway?

cyclonebri1

apt wrote: »

Nationwide 3 year fix at 4.4% was withdrawn yesterday.

Thats saved me a fruitless journey to the branch to open one today then,:mad: thanks.

claire07

Well I've today had a letter from nationwide about my fixed isa maturing next week and offering me this 3 year fix so perhaps it is still available to members with maturing isas (or knowing nationwide maybe not!) I'll have to give them a ring when I've got a spare hour to waste.

THRIFTY_GIRL

apt wrote: »

Nationwide 3 year fix at 4.4% was withdrawn yesterday.

:mad::mad: went into branch yesterday to be told the bad news.....had a juicy sum to transfer in too from 3% to 4.4%...better luck next time.

I do hope there are a few decent deals left...I may have to rush for the M&S one now before that too is pulled.

freddysmith

apt wrote: »

Nationwide 3 year fix at 4.4% was withdrawn yesterday.

NOOOOOooooooo!!!! :mad:

and I had it all planned !!!!