Quantcast
Menu
Save, make, understand money

News

This week’s best easy access, fixed and notice ISA rates

Emma Lunn
Written By:
Emma Lunn
Posted:
Updated:
10/05/2023

‘ISA season’ might officially be over but there are still savings providers increasing their rates, according to analysis by Moneyfacts.

For example, Cynergy Bank has upped its easy access rate from 3.35% to 3.50% AER, putting it at the top of the best buy tables.

Here are this week’s best ISA deals.

Easy access ISAs

Cynergy Bank now leads the way on the easy access chart with a rate of 3.50% AER.

Interest is paid yearly, and you’ll require a minimum deposit of £1 to open this account. You’ll need to download the Cynergy Bank Authenticator App or Digipass to open your ISA and manage your funds.

If you would prefer to have your interest paid monthly, Shawbrook Bank’s easy access ISA pays 3.45% AER but requires a minimum balance of £1,000.

Finally, Leeds Building Society pays 3.40% AER on its Limited Issue Online Access ISA, which is opened and managed online. Minimum deposits start at £1,000 and further additions will only be allowed while the current issue remains open.

Your funds will be transferred to another easy access ISA when the account matures in June 2024.

Fixed rate cash ISAs

One-year fixed

Secure Trust Bank now offers the top one-year ISA rate at 4.3%. It pays its interest yearly and requires a minimum deposit of £1,000. Further additions must be from a minimum of £1,000 and are allowed for 30 days from account opening.

Early access is only allowed on account closure and will result in a 90-day loss of interest penalty.

Two-year fixed

You can earn more interest with a two-year fixed rate ISA from Newcastle Building Society which pays 4.4%.

This product is a flexible ISA. This means you can withdraw money from your account and replace it in the same tax year, without it affecting your annual £20,000 allowance.

Interest is paid either monthly or yearly and minimum deposits start at £500. Further additions to your funds will be allowed while the issue remains open, and early access to your funds will result in a 120-day loss of interest penalty.

Three-year fixed

If you wish to opt for a three-year fixed rate instead, then Virgin Money offers the best interest for a three-year bond at 4.37% – slightly less than the best two-year rate.

Also paying its interest monthly or yearly, Virgin’s internet-operated account needs an initial deposit of just £1. This can be added to for 30 days from account opening, while withdrawals will result in a 120-day loss of interest penalty.

Five-year fixed

At the moment, the best rates for five-year fixed rate ISAs are lower than the best paying two-year fixed rate ISA.

But if you want to lock your money away for five years, Gatehouse Bank pays an expected profit rate of 4.2%. This can either be paid monthly or on anniversary with further additions not allowed. You’ll need at least £1,000 to open an account. Early access is subject to a 365-day loss of profit penalty.

Notice accounts

Aldermore continues to provide the best rate if you’re looking for an ISA that requires 30 days or less notice.

Its 30 Day Notice Cash ISA Issue 12, a flexible ISA, offers 2.80% AER, paid either monthly or on anniversary. This account can be opened and managed online, with minimum deposits starting from £1,000.

While further additions to this amount are permitted, earlier access without providing 30 days’ notice will result in a 30-day loss of interest penalty.

It should be noted that this account pays less than the top easy-access ISA rates, which typically impose fewer restrictions on accessing your cash.

Furness Building Society still offers the market-leading rate for accounts that need 60 days or less notice. The 45 Day Notice Cash ISA, also a flexible ISA, pays 3.55% AER yearly. An initial deposit of £1,000 is required to open this account either in branch or by post – and this amount can be added to without restriction.

If you want access to your money without serving the 45-day notice period, you’ll face 45 days’ loss of interest.