ISA round up - 15th January
14/01/2024
Headline best buy rates continue to hold up but there's cuts behind the front runners which we think will trigger further falls this week and next as rates continue to ease back. There's some good news on easy access rates as both Charter Savings and Kent Reliance increase, although Leeds cut back slightly last week. Here's our round up of the best buys and key changes in the Individual Savings Account markets:
Zopa Bank remain best buy at 5.08% but the gap behind has closed with Charter Savings increasing to 5.07% and, although Leeds Building Society have cut, there's another provider paying over 5% as Kent Reliance increase their rate to 5.01% (from 4.82%). There's a four way tie for third with Cynergy, Family Building Society, Leeds Building Society and Principality Building Society all level. Cynergy and Leeds pay a straight 5% but Family's account is a market tracker which is reviewed quarterly - with rates falling back, this could be a good option. Principality's rate includes a whopping 0.96% bonus for 12 months. Virgin Money are next at 4.96% but this account pays a lower rate of 2% if more than three withdrawals are made in a calendar year. Paragon's Double Access ISA pays 4.95% before a big drop to 4.75%. Metro Bank do pay 5.11% but this has a massive 3.46% 12 month bonus, which is why we exclude it from our tables - and it is only available in their branches.
Chorley Building Society are the new best buy with their 150 Day Notice paying 5.05%. Furness Building Society are second with their 90 Day Notice paying 5.01%. Teacher's Building Society are joint third with Loughborough Building Society - Teacher's pay 5% for 120 Days and Loughborogh pay the same rate for 180 Days Notice, with 4.75% paid for 120 Day Notice.
Virgin Money still lead the way paying 5.25% - savers must have, or open, a Virgin Money current account to get that rate - but we will be surprised if this isn't cut this week or next. Shawbrook Bank are second paying 5.01% but we also expect this to be gone very soon. Close Brothers and Secure Trust Bank are tied third with both offering 4.95%. Zopa Bank and Saffron Building Society both pay 4.90% but the three other providers who were paying this rate last week have gone. Charter Savings pay 4.86% and United Trust Bank offer 4.85%.
United Trust Bank lead the way paying 4.75% alongside Close Brothers. Zopa Bank are up to third at 4.70% after Castle Trust Bank cut their rate. Secure Trust Bank just behind offering 4.65% with Cambridge Building Society pulling the same rate last week. Ford Money, Furness Building Society and Post Office Money all pay 4.60%.
Only Close Brothers remain at 4.50% with TSB cutting its rate. UBL Bank, despite their recent cuts, are back up to second at 4.41% with United Trust Bank just behind at 4.35%. Castle Trust Bank are back in the market at 4.30% and Secure Trust have also re-entered at 4.26%, with Zopa Bank at 4.21% completing the top six.
UBL Bank are still best buy, despite their cuts, at 4.26%. Close Brothers are outright second at 4.20% after Gatehouse cut their rate. However, there's some good news with Castle Trust Bank and West Brom Building Society both coming back in at 4.10% ahead of Zopa Bank at 4.01%. United Trust Bank, Furness Building Society and Secure Trust Bank are just a basis point behind - all tied at 4%.
Moneybox pay a best buy 4.25% - but their rate does include a 0.75% bonus for 12 months. Nude Finance pay 3.80% but their rate comes with a £2 monthly fee - although this is fee free for the first 12 months currently. Bath Building Society are at 3.79% ahead of Paragon Bank at 3.51%. Beehive Money are just behind at 3.50%. Skipton Building Society pay 3.25% and Newcastle Building Society are lagging at 3%.