Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

DragonQ

tyrion wrote: »

New to ISAs so pardon if an oft-repeated question:

Do better rates tend to be offered near the end of the financial year in order to scoop up savers looking to use their allowances?

Yes, the best rates are usually in March/April time. I hope this process continues because I don't think I've seen an instant-access cash ISA above 3.05% for a long while and the best at the beginning of the 2011-2012 tax year was 3.3%!

10_66

Stompa wrote: »

I hope not! It looks like a good deal to me so I've sent off my transfer form. I'm a bit puzzled though as to why it has not attracted more attention.

It probably will now! I'm hoping it will still be available when my Halifax Direct Reward ISA bonus ends mid March.

Stompa

10_66 wrote: »

It probably will now! I'm hoping it will still be available when my Halifax Direct Reward ISA bonus ends mid March.

I'm transferring from a Halifax Direct Reward ISA too (which ends early March), but since I don't qualify for any rewards there's nothing to be lost by transferring out a bit early.

lightbulb2760

My Halifax Direct ISA is also due to end mid-March, so when applying to transfer to the National Counties, I ticked option 2 (don't transfer until maturity / required notice), and on the advice of National Counties staff, specified in writing on the form that the transfer should not take place until 16th March 2012. There's nothing to stop you applying now and doing the same...

10_66

lightbulb2760 wrote: »

My Halifax Direct ISA is also due to end mid-March, so when applying to transfer to the National Counties, I ticked option 2 (don't transfer until maturity / required notice), and on the advice of National Counties staff, specified in writing on the form that the transfer should not take place until 16th March 2012. There's nothing to stop you applying now and doing the same...

Yeah, I've tried doing that in the past, but it didn't work. Unfortunately, the transferor sent to the form out to the transferee who totally ignored the request and the funds were transferred straight away despite the fact the I'd written on the transfer form (and highlighted it) not to transfer before a specific date. I'd toyed with the idea of trying this again, but decided not to take the chance.

Optimist

It would seem the powers that be read this thread even if they do not have the inclination to make it a sticky...

Expect the offer to close within days now, as it is on the weekly email

URGENT! 3.7% Cash ISA loophole

NCBS 3.7% AER with accessCan transfer out or close with 99 days' notice. Min £1,000.

• Product & link NCBS 5th issue Fixed Rate Cash ISA
• Rate: 3.7% AER
• Length of fixed deal: 3 year
• Min deposit: £1,000
• Access: Online, phone, post or branch
• Allows transfers? Yes
• Transfers or closure: 99 days' notice
• Savings safety: Full £85,000 FSCS protection

The NCBS 5th issue Fixed Rate Cash ISA pays 3.7% AER fixed for 3 years, and you can access cash early by giving just 99 days' notice to close or transfer. If you can plan when you'll need the money, it's effectively a guaranteed rate that allows withdrawal, and smashes all other penalty-free easy access rates.
If you keep the money in for less than three years, this is also the best fixed rate currently available - beating the best buy one- and two-year rates, and nearly matching the three-year top pick.

Full details

Kazza242

Optimist wrote: »

It would seem the powers that be read this thread even if they do not have the inclination to make it a sticky...

Expect the offer to close within days now, as it is on the weekly email

[/CENTER]

It's rather ironic that they read this thread, but removed it as a sticky! I'm not surprised they read it though, as it is also mentioned on other websites.

10_66, I saw the Nottingham BS ISA the other day, but haven't had a chance to do an update to add it to the first post yet. I will do that tonight.

10_66

Kazza242 wrote: »

It's rather ironic that they read this thread, but removed it as a sticky! I'm not surprised they read it though, as it is also mentioned on other websites...

Interestingly, the weekly email calls this "the new 3.70% National Counties 3 year fixed rate ISA", but according to National Counties website, the rate's been available since 12 September 2011.

Stompa

10_66 wrote: »

Interestingly, the weekly email calls this "the new 3.70% National Counties 3 year fixed rate ISA", but according to National Counties website, the rate's been available since 12 September 2011.

I'd wondered about that date. I first stumbled across the account on Friday, I can't believe it's been sitting there unnoticed since September!

SnowMan

Stompa wrote: »

I'd wondered about that date. I first stumbled across the account on Friday, I can't believe it's been sitting there unnoticed since September!

Found this on emoneyfacts.

The account has indeed it appears been there since mid September :rotfl: