ISA round up - 22nd January
21/01/2024
Longer term fixed rate ISAs continue to see cuts, as providers adjust pricing with increasing expectation that Base Rate will fall to 3.50% over the next five years. Easy access rates are holding up with plenty of competition at 5% and above for savers money. As we approach the traditional 'ISA season' when savers often look to maximise this years allowance and then the next tax year's, what's unclear is whether there will be significant competition for ISAs from providers, which could help hold rates up. Without this, we see further falls in fixed pricing and easy access ISAs maintaining around current levels. 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 their rate now comprises an underlying rate of 4.58% and a bonus of 0.50%. They are a touch ahead of Charter Savings at 5.07%. Coventry Building Society are the big mover - coming back in at 5.05% on their Four Access ISA. Kent Reliance are fourth paying 5.01% with four providers at 5% - Leeds Building Society, Cynergy, Family 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.
Chorley Building Society remain 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. Shawbrook Bank are second paying 5.01%. We expect both of these won't last beyond this month. Charter Savings are up to third with their increase to 4.96%. Hodge and Secure Trust Bank are tied offering 4.95%. Zopa Bank and Post Office Money both pay 4.90% ahead of United Trust Bank who offer 4.85%.
Zopa Bank and Post Office Money are joint best buy - both paying 4.70% - with Secure Trust Bank just behind offering 4.65%. Ford Money and Furness Building Society both pay 4.60%. UBL Bank pay 4.56%, narrowly ahead of United Trust Bank paying 4.55%
UBL Bank lead the way paying 4.41% with Castle Trust Bank second offering 4.30%. Secure Trust are third at 4.26% with Zopa Bank at 4.21%. United Trust Bank pay 4.15% with Sainsburys Bank and TSB both paying 4.10%.
UBL Bank are still best buy at 4.26% with a drop then to Castle Trust Bank and West Brom Building Society tied at 4.10%. Zopa Bank are next at 4.01% ahead of Furness Building Society and Secure Trust Bank 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%.