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"Second-best" Cash ISA options for 2008-2009?
david72
Posts: 116 Forumite
I've checked Martin's Best Cash ISAs article, but I don't think that any of the recommendations are really for me:
Barclays: branch-only account, and according to reports elsewhere on the forum, a bit shambolic when it comes to the back-end systems getting accounts organised, and also when it comes to making withdrawals (which is crucial as I will need near-immediate access to my money part-way through the year!).
Icesave: have proven themselves to be well-organised, but the minimum balance is a killer, as I'll need to withdraw most of my ISA savings part-way through the year, and although I'd want to make regular saving top-ups after that, I won't be able to meet the minimum balance requirement subsequently. Is it possible to then transfer-out a current-year ISA or only those from previous years, so that I can retain ISA status for the full year?
A&L: I completely distrust A&L due to their habit of offering initial tempting rates and then reducing the rates subsequently. It's also not possible to close A&L accounts online: you have to spend most of that "final £1" to phone their helldesk to do so, which is a particularly despicable tactic.
Egg: have always been a bit of an unknown quantity to me. However, they've had much bad publicity of late for closing credit card accounts, and their website doesn't inspire technical competence with character set issues displaying Chinese characters where apostrophes should be!
So, can anybody recommend any other Cash ISA accounts that are just "bubbling under" these top-rankers? A slightly-lower interest rate isn't going to make that much difference over only one year. My requirements are for a competent financial institution (ie, no foul-ups), monthly or quarterly interest, preferably online access (including online withdrawals), and a minimum balance requirement of not more than £100.
Thanks for any advice!
Barclays: branch-only account, and according to reports elsewhere on the forum, a bit shambolic when it comes to the back-end systems getting accounts organised, and also when it comes to making withdrawals (which is crucial as I will need near-immediate access to my money part-way through the year!).
Icesave: have proven themselves to be well-organised, but the minimum balance is a killer, as I'll need to withdraw most of my ISA savings part-way through the year, and although I'd want to make regular saving top-ups after that, I won't be able to meet the minimum balance requirement subsequently. Is it possible to then transfer-out a current-year ISA or only those from previous years, so that I can retain ISA status for the full year?
A&L: I completely distrust A&L due to their habit of offering initial tempting rates and then reducing the rates subsequently. It's also not possible to close A&L accounts online: you have to spend most of that "final £1" to phone their helldesk to do so, which is a particularly despicable tactic.
Egg: have always been a bit of an unknown quantity to me. However, they've had much bad publicity of late for closing credit card accounts, and their website doesn't inspire technical competence with character set issues displaying Chinese characters where apostrophes should be!
So, can anybody recommend any other Cash ISA accounts that are just "bubbling under" these top-rankers? A slightly-lower interest rate isn't going to make that much difference over only one year. My requirements are for a competent financial institution (ie, no foul-ups), monthly or quarterly interest, preferably online access (including online withdrawals), and a minimum balance requirement of not more than £100.
Thanks for any advice!
0
Comments
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I would use egg as it meets all your requirements.
I have been an egg credit card customer since they came into existence and have never had any issues with the web site.
If you are seeing chinese characters then I would suggest a browser issue.
Have you a link to a page that gives you a problem?
Nigel0
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