ISA round up - 29th January
28/01/2024
The ISA market was much calmer last week with few changes and even some improvements. Harpenden increased the competition at 5%+ in the easy access ISA market and United Trust Bank improved all their fixed ISA rates too. All fixed rate ISA best buys remain in tact and there was some improved 1 Year rates which suggest that these will consolidate around 4.90% - 5% for the short term. While Thursday's Base Rate decision is unlikely to see a move either way, there's hope that there may be an ISA season, ahead of the end of the tax year, which could bolster rates. 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 Coventry Building Society who are at 5.05% with their Four Access ISA. Charter Savings Bank drop to third after cutting their rate to 5.03% and Kent Reliance are fourth still at 5.01%, although they have been joined by Harpenden Building Society - they briefly paid 5.10% last week before cutting later on to 5.01%. There are 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%. Both continue to survive long after we thought they'd be gone. Castle Trust Bank are up in to third with an improved rate of 4.97% to move ahead of Charter Savings at 4.96%. Hodge and Secure Trust Bank are tied offering 4.95%. United Trust Bank who offer an improved 4.91%, following their rate increase last week, leapfrogging Zopa Bank and Post Office Money at 4.90%.
Zopa Bank and Post Office Money are joint best buy - both paying 4.70% - with United Trust Bank paying an improved 4.60% and surging up to joint third alongside Close Brothers and Furness Building Society. UBL Bank pay 4.56%, narrowly ahead of Castle Trust Bank at 4.55%. Dudley and Scottish Building Societies, and Hodge, all pay 4.50% to complete the top 10.
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 an improved 4.20% with Sainsburys Bank and TSB both paying 4.10%.
UBL Bank are still best buy at 4.26% with a drop then to Close Brothers at 4.15% and Castle Trust Bank at 4.10%. Zopa Bank are next at 4.01% ahead of United Trust Bank and Furness Building Society 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%.