Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

veryintrigued

Archi_Bald wrote: »

without going into a Branch?

Correct - I live hours away from any branch.

vigman

Do all ISA providers who allow 'transfer ins' allow this without also paying in this year's allowance?

I just want to transfer my own and my wife's ISAs which have already had this year's allowances paid in.

I ask this as on some wording for ISA applications I have seen have things like "after you have paid in this year's allowance you can transfer in existing ISAs from other providers for the next 30 days?

TIA

Vigman

Froggitt

Can a this years ISA be transferred this year?


The 30 day wording is usually for fixed rate ISAs when you open the ISA with this years allowance, and transfer a previous ISA in.

Archi_Bald

vigman wrote: »

Do all ISA providers who allow 'transfer ins' allow this without also paying in this year's allowance?

Yes, usually you just have to fill in the transfer form. But if you want to transfer into an already existing account, you are bound by the T&Cs of that account.

Froggitt wrote: »

Can a this years ISA be transferred this year?

It depends on the T&Cs - if it's a fixed term ISA, you most likely can't since the shortest fixed term is usually a year. If it's a notice account, it depends on how long the notice is and how much of the current year has already passed. If it is an instant access one, then the answer is unreservedly yes.

vigman

Froggitt wrote: »

Can a this years ISA be transferred this year?


The 30 day wording is usually for fixed rate ISAs when you open the ISA with this years allowance, and transfer a previous ISA in.

I'm sure I have transferred a 'this year's allowance' in the same year before!?

I understand your second point, but I wonder if you can open a fixed rate ISA with just a transfer and not this year's allowance?

[Just seen Archi Bald's reply - thanks!]

Vigman

vigman

Also any thoughts on my point about waiting now for the new ISA year to transfer balances (like the dud NW ISA) and use the new year's allowance at the same time?

Are there usually good offers after the new ISA year date or only before?

TIA

Vigman

Consumerist

vigman wrote: »

Also any thoughts on my point about waiting now for the new ISA year to transfer balances (like the dud NW ISA) and use the new year's allowance at the same time? Are there usually good offers after the new ISA year date or only before?

You should transfer any "dud" ISA as soon as possible; I assume it is free of any transfer restrictions at this point.

You can add new money to it after 5 April if the rate is still competitive.

In my experience, the "ISA season" tends to try to attract new money from the current year's allowance but will often stay open to accept subscriptions in the following tax year.

Archi_Bald

Consumerist wrote: »

You can add new money to it after 5 April if the rate is still competitive.

only if the T&Cs allow you to do so. Highly unlikely with any fixed term ISAs.

Consumerist wrote: »

In my experience, the "ISA season" tends to try to attract new money from the current year's allowance but will often stay open to accept subscriptions in the following tax year.

Yes, they might stay open at the same rate for a couple of weeks into the new tax year. But expecting great rates in March/April is probably going to end in another disappointment, like it did last year. I have no crystal ball but would be very surprised if we did see more than minute adjustments, if any, this year.

Consumerist

Archi_Bald wrote: »

. . . But expecting great rates in March/April is probably going to end in another disappointment, like it did last year. I have no crystal ball but would be very surprised if we did see more than minute adjustments, if any, this year.

I fear you are probably right, there.

michaels

Can anyone remember from past years when 'ISA season' tends to start (assuming it is going to happen at all this year)? I went with the 2.5% Santander last year, I'm thinking we wil be lucky to see 2% instant access transfers in accepted this year