Recommendation for easy-access cash ISA Provider (Rate + Service)

subjecttocontract

We've had/ have lots of ISAs and I can find fault with virtually every one of them. The best for us has been Santander but it's nowhere near the best interest rate.

friolento

hugheskevi said:

My experience from within the last year of some of the best buy providers:

Top-tier

.......

Moneybox - great service so far, easy to use, nice interface (especially if you like detail), instant, all very positive. Definitely recommend.

.........

I wouldn't put Moneybox in the top tier. My main objection is that the interest is not FSCS protected until it has been credited to the account, which doesn't happen until anniversary. I don't think this is made clear until you actually have the account.

I also don't like the delays if you deposit by DD

Frogletina

hugheskevi said:

My experience from within the last year of some of the best buy providers:

Top-tier

Chip - loved the saving account, once set up it was instant and secure to move funds to and from linked account, nice interface, never any problems. Don't have a cash ISA with them due to not allowing transfers-in. Definitely recommend.
 

Avoid

Zopa - tried to set up a cash-ISA with them, but they refused to take deposits from a joint current account (myself and my wife). All far too much phaff to set up, went elsewhere. Would not recommend.

I have both Chip and Zopa flexible ISAs and like both of them

My Zopa ISA account was opened with an ISA transfer during the 23/24 tax year to secure the interest rate and took a couple of days, and then I added new money to it in this tax year.  I have a savings account with Zopa too, so it's easy to transfer between that and the ISA account. 

My Chip ISA account was opened and funded with new money this tax year. The interest is adding up nicely, you can see this in the Chip app as pending.

As both of these are flexible ISAs, I can flexibly withdraw the current funds at any time and replace them into a different ISA before the end of the tax year - no need to replace withdrawn current year ISA funds into the same ISA now. 

Post amended today to make it clear that the new rule is only for current year ISA funds

where_are_we

"As both of these are flexible ISAs, I can flexibly withdraw the current funds at any time and replace them into a different ISA before the end of the tax year - no need to replace withdrawn ISA funds into the same ISA now."

I have withdrawn ISA funds in 24-25 tax year from a flexible cash ISA opened in 23-24 with a transfer in and no new money added. Does the above statement mean I can replace this withdrawal into a newly opened 24-25 flexible cash ISA as my opening deposit before the end of the tax year and this money does not count towards my £20k 24-25 ISA allowance?

 

Frogletina

where_are_we said:

"As both of these are flexible ISAs, I can flexibly withdraw the current funds at any time and replace them into a different ISA before the end of the tax year - no need to replace withdrawn ISA funds into the same ISA now."

I have withdrawn ISA funds in 24-25 tax year from a flexible cash ISA opened in 23-24 with a transfer in and no new money added. Does the above statement mean I can replace this withdrawal into a newly opened 24-25 flexible cash ISA as my opening deposit before the end of the tax year and this money does not count towards my £20k 24-25 ISA allowance?

 

No, previous year's money has to be replaced in the ISA that it was withdrawn from. I will amend my post to read no need to replace withdrawn current year ISA funds into the same ISA now

SeanM42

Albermarle said:

Cynergy - withdrawals can take several hours, all a bit clunky and not as modern as other interfaces but everything always works. Would recommend if they have best rates and meet needs.

I think this is one of those providers where when they change rates, the rates on your account do not change automatically and you need to go in and update to the new issue ?

Shawbrook's the same. 

Cynergy looks like the best one for my circumstances at the moment, having a decent rate and also accepting transfers (Shawbrook's rate drops to 4.5% tomorrow). 

zagubov

Oaknorth's flexible ISA was easy to set up. While it doesn't have the highest rate (currently it's 4.25%), the money can be taken out and returned at a moment's notice which suits me well

It's the Easy Access Cash ISA. There's info on the MSE main forum where I originally found out about it.