Cash ISAs: The Best Currently Available List

JamesPond

If anyone wants to "transfer in" to the Nationwide and doesnt want to queue up, here is the link to the ISA transfer form.

http://www.nationwide.co.uk/savings/ISA/C115A_ISA_transfer_in.pdf

talksalot81

thumshie wrote: »

It can be 'operated' online - i.e. once open it'll show up via online banking, however to open, you either:
1. Go to a branch
2. Open via phone ONLY if your an existing customer...

That was what I had read.... yet another case of those in NI getting screwed over.... we dont have any branches.

Dustykitten

I have tried to find the answer to my question but I can't so please excuse me if this has been asked/answered. I'm looking at the A&L isa and don't understand how the bonus works. Please can somebody point me in the right direction - thanks

TomJ

cottager wrote: »

I still need to use this tax year's £3K subscription. There's also about £4200 in an Abbey Easy ISA which has been 'sitting' since 2000 and which I should switch somewhere better (see, I'm trying to learn!) as it's on a low 4.05%.

Last year I put £3K into NS&I, but I gather the guarantee will be falling to 0.3% above base... but even if not the highest, still fairly respectable?

I see lots about IceSave's Easy Access, but also a huge long thread with many grumbles and frustrations several months ago about slowness, customer service and problems/niggles with their site. Frankly a big turn-off, particularly the site, but has it all improved now? I'd consider if so, but I'm less concerned for an extra £15-odd than I am about a poor service -- though the guarantee above base till 2011 is attractive.

Abbey Direct ISA (Issue 2): looks good, but though it can be opened online it says operation is by post/tel/ATM -- so no. Being idle, I prefer online

A&L Direct ISA (Issue 4): again a great rate with the bonus, but have I seen some mutterings about them? Had no dealings with A&L before.

Then finally I was looking at Nationwide's 1 Yr ISA Bond at 6.15% -- wouldn't want to tie all ISA funds into a fixed, but some would be OK for a year as presumably I'd be free to transfer it away at the end of the term.

So, subject to what you might say about any usage and/or other problems with IceSave and A&L, or a preference for one or the other, here's what I thought initially:
(a) Put the new £3K money into IceSave. Or possibly A&L if they have a better service... though I do like the sound of that IceSave 2011 guarantee.
(b) Transfer £3K from Abbey to Nationwide.
(c) Leave NS&I where it is, but also transfer into it the £1200 balance from Abbey, thus closing Abbey.
[Can I do this? -- split a transfer between two different providers?]

Does that seem a fairly reasonable spread?
And no penalties down the line for transferring out with any of these (bar Nationwide, till the end of the term)? -- I couldn't see any.

The reason for keeping NS&I was simply because it's 'solid'.
Am I right thinking there's a rule that if you miss adding in a tax year, but want to add more subsequently, you have to re-apply? Would the transfer-in of £1200 count in that way, or does it need to be new money?

As I recall you can't transfer money from other providers into an NS&I Direct ISA anyway.

One thing you didn't mention was whether you're prepared for you money to be ted up for a fixed term. If you don't mind it being tied up for a year, you might want to consider the LloydsTSB fixed rate at 6.5% for balances over £9000, which you can acheive by a combination of transfers and new money. You could Leave £1.2k in the NS&I for easy access if needed.

bristolleedsfan

Dustykitten wrote: »

I have tried to find the answer to my question but I can't so please excuse me if this has been asked/answered. I'm looking at the A&L isa and don't understand how the bonus works. Please can somebody point me in the right direction - thanks

Current variable rate of 6.25% includes a 1% bonus until 31 May 2009

Before 31 May 2009, the interest rate excluding 1% bonus rate may well be decreased should B.O.E reduce the Base Rate.

After 31 May 2009, the account may well be very uncompetitive.

Special_Saver2

Kazza, let me offer my condolencies too.

Best wishes,
SS2

cottager

TomJ wrote: »

As I recall you can't transfer money from other providers into an NS&I Direct ISA anyway.

Quite right, as I realised after posting!

TomJ wrote: »

One thing you didn't mention was whether you're prepared for you money to be ted up for a fixed term. If you don't mind it being tied up for a year, you might want to consider the LloydsTSB fixed rate at 6.5% for balances over £9000, which you can acheive by a combination of transfers and new money. You could Leave £1.2k in the NS&I for easy access if needed.

With Abbey involved? -- surely you jest )
Seriously, I expect a T/F away from them would happen in time; but I don't know if I'm brave enough to commit a whole £9K into a fixed. Also stuff may be happening in the coming year, though I'm not sure, which would need more than the odd £1200 immediately available. I'm hoping not to need any and leave it all in, but just don't know.

Thanks for putting together a good deal, though. Sorry, didn't spot your post at first, as my questions appeared just before Kazza's sad news, and looked as though it might get lost. With the year-end time factor I put a similar post in its own thread on the board next day: possibly what I should have done in the first place instead of tacking it on here, but thanks for spotting this version

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Sorry to hear about your family bereavement Kazza, please accept my condolances and we will look forward to your return. Hugs.

Woodyrocks

TomJ wrote: »

As I recall you can't transfer money from other providers into an NS&I Direct ISA anyway.

One thing you didn't mention was whether you're prepared for you money to be ted up for a fixed term. If you don't mind it being tied up for a year, you might want to consider the LloydsTSB fixed rate at 6.5% for balances over £9000, which you can acheive by a combination of transfers and new money. You could Leave £1.2k in the NS&I for easy access if needed.

Tom, I have £6000+ in Barclays to move out and I am able to deposit £3000 in a new ISA in one drop - would you say the above is the best for me? I can handle a fix term for up to 4 years if there is anything else out there that offers a good rate :T

Woodyrocks

p.s Forgot to add, I am off on holiday on April 5th for 2 weeks so want to have this sorted as soon as possible!