Top Cash ISAs Discussion Area

francodevil

hi all. im after an isa where i can pay about £100 per month in, and only withdraw a large sum of money in a few years time. do isa's exist where you can pay in a monthly amount or do you have to transfer an amount in and that is it for the tax year? im new to this and want a good rate

KingL

any variable rate or bonus rate ISA will let you drip-feed funds in. You will have to rely on your self discipline to avoid withdrawing it before a few years is up. Note that ISA variable-interest rates are generally reduced after about a year, so you will likely have to transfer it to another account/provider in a year. Keep an eye on the interest rate. See the link in post 1482 and look for variable rate ISAs....

senaiboy

Hi, I've just came back from my local A&L branch (now Santander) to open a 3.2% Flexible ISA. Yes, the process was a nightmare although the customer rep was polite and helpful throughout.

My question is to those who had opened the Flexible ISA. I've just activated the online banking for my Flexible ISA, and it's showing as 'Direct ISA'. Is this normal or did he opened the wrong ISA for me? Thanks.

gunmaker

senaiboy wrote: »

Hi, I've just came back from my local A&L branch (now Santander) to open a 3.2% Flexible ISA. Yes, the process was a nightmare although the customer rep was polite and helpful throughout.

My question is to those who had opened the Flexible ISA. I've just activated the online banking for my Flexible ISA, and it's showing as 'Direct ISA'. Is this normal or did he opened the wrong ISA for me? Thanks.

You sure it's 3.2%? That interest rate closed ages ago. The best ISA A&L/Santander offer now is 2.75%, and that's for a Direct ISA.

senaiboy

gunmaker wrote: »

You sure it's 3.2%? That interest rate closed ages ago. The best ISA A&L/Santander offer now is 2.75%, and that's for a Direct ISA.

That was the 3.5% isn't it? Yeah the customer rep told me they have three ISA to choose from (Direct ISA, Flexible ISA, and 2years fixed rate ISA). I went with the Flexible ISA though he doesn't seem very happy with it.

gunmaker

senaiboy wrote: »

That was the 3.5% isn't it? Yeah the customer rep told me they have three ISA to choose from (Direct ISA, Flexible ISA, and 2years fixed rate ISA). I went with the Flexible ISA though he doesn't seem very happy with it.

I have just found the Flexible ISA @ 3.2% mentioned in Martin's Top ISA list. It's for A&L/Santander customers only and operated in branch only.

They don't advertise it on their websites, details available in branch only. Good for you!

wintermute01

senaiboy wrote: »

Hi, I've just came back from my local A&L branch (now Santander) to open a 3.2% Flexible ISA. Yes, the process was a nightmare although the customer rep was polite and helpful throughout.

I opened one of these yesterday and had no problems so I'm not sure what people are complaining about.

I walked in without an appointment and asked about it. After waiting five minutes the advisor came out and we went through the setup which took about 15 minutes.

The only slight problem is that I need a new internet banking login to go through Santander's website instead of A&L's where I have my current account. They requested one for me on the spot.

senaiboy

wintermute01 wrote: »

I opened one of these yesterday and had no problems so I'm not sure what people are complaining about.

I walked in without an appointment and asked about it. After waiting five minutes the advisor came out and we went through the setup which took about 15 minutes.

The only slight problem is that I need a new internet banking login to go through Santander's website instead of A&L's where I have my current account. They requested one for me on the spot.

The advisor was telling me that I have to transfer money into the ISA from another bank's current account, yet I must have the main current account with them, need my proof of identities checked, etc. Few phone calls and queries to his boss solved it though (I spent an hour sitting there).

Btw won't it show up on your A&L online banking? Mine did, but it shows up as 'Direct ISA'.

wintermute01

senaiboy wrote: »

The advisor was telling me that I have to transfer money into the ISA from another bank's current account, yet I must have the main current account with them, need my proof of identities checked, etc. Few phone calls and queries to his boss solved it though (I spent an hour sitting there).

Weird. Sounds like a training issue.

senaiboy wrote: »

Btw won't it show up on your A&L online banking? Mine did, but it shows up as 'Direct ISA'.

The lady told me that because the Santander systems aren't fully merged with A&L that it will only show up on the Santander side. It's certainly not showing on the A&L one at the moment.

I don't see it as a big deal. They will get merged eventually anyway and I can get all the old A&L accounts to show up on the Santander site. Just need to wait for the password through the post.

adindas

I believe the one with interest rate 0f 3.2 is Flexible ISA.
With this ISA, it is only for new ISA (this tax year) and maximum £5,100 this is my understanding. If they allow to put old ISA I will put all my ISA into this a/c
Does anyone have another opinion ?.

ADINDAS.

senaiboy wrote: »

Hi, I've just came back from my local A&L branch (now Santander) to open a 3.2% Flexible ISA. Yes, the process was a nightmare although the customer rep was polite and helpful throughout.

My question is to those who had opened the Flexible ISA. I've just activated the online banking for my Flexible ISA, and it's showing as 'Direct ISA'. Is this normal or did he opened the wrong ISA for me? Thanks.