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ISA round up - 2nd May

Easy access ISA rates improved again as Shawbrook soared to the top of the best buy tables. Cynergy and Leeds Building Society have traded places at the top of the best buys and it will be interesting to see if either responds this week.  Fixed rates also nudged up with new best buys on 1, 2 and 3 Year ISAs, although 5 Year rates continue to be pulled back as markets price in longer term falls. Here's our round up of the best buys and key changes in the Individual Savings Account markets:

Easy Access ISA

Shawbrook Bank are the new leaders having upped their rate to 3.45% to move above Cynergy (3.35%). Yorkshire Building Society pay 3.35% but limit access to one withdrawal - which we consider too prohibitive to include in our tables. Leeds Building Society, whose ISA pays 3.30%, lead a cluster of providers at that rate.  Marcus and Saga pay 3.30% but their rate includes a 0.35% bonus while Principality Building Society's includes a 0.40% bonus for 12 months.  Newcastle Building Society's 3.30% is limited to three withdrawals.  Sainsburys and Harpenden Building Society both increased to 3.29%. 

Hargreaves Lansdown's Active Savings are offering £100 cashback on Coventry Building Society's Limited Access ISA, which pays 3.25%, for those saving at least £10,000.  This equates to a 4.25% annual return on £10,000 or 3.75% for those saving the full £20,000 ISA allowanc, which beats other returns on offer.

Notice ISAs

Furness Building Society lead the way at 3.55% on their 45 Day Notice.  Newcastle Building Society are next - their 100 Day Notice now pays 3.40% - moving above Mansfield Building Society who pay 3.25%  but on a huge 180 Days' Notice, although they do pay 2.85% on 95 Days. Aldermore Bank pay 3.20% for 30 Day Notice

1 Year ISA

Castle Trust Bank and Close Brothers are the new leaders - both paying 4.25% for 1 Year.  Shawbrook Bank are third after their increase to 4.21%.  Last week's leader, Gatehouse Bank, drop to joint fourth - their 4.20% matched by Charter Savings Bank and Virgin Money with Cynergy a fraction behind at 4.19%.

2 Year ISA

Coventry Building Society are the new leaders with the best rate in the market - 4.35% for 2 Year.  Shawbrook and Close Brothers share second - both paying 4.31% - with Virgin Money and Castle Trust Bank both paying 4.30% just behind.  Leeds Building Society are next at 4.26% with Nationwide and Charter Savings Bank a further basis point behind them at 4.25%. Kent Reliance pay 4.22% with Sainsburys Bank just behind, following their increase to 4.21%.

3 Year ISA

Virgin Money lead the way paying 4.30% ahead of a five way tie for second spot - Cynergy Bank, Ford Money, Gatehouse, Leeds Building Society and Secure Trust Bank all paying 4.20% to share top spot.  Aldermore Bank are close behind paying 4.15% with Skipton next at 4.11%. State Bank of India pay 4.10%, Yorkshire Building Society pay 4.05% and Sainsbury's Bank 4.01% with all other providers paying 4% or less.

5 Year ISA

Gatehouse Bank continue to lead the way at 4.20% with a tie for second - Secure Trust Bank and West Brom Building Society both pay 4% with Principality Building Society next at 3.95%.  5 Year Fixed rates are significantly lower as the expectation is that Base Rate will fall over the coming years.

Lifetime ISA

Moneybox remain outright top at 3.50%. The Moneybox rate does include a 0.75% bonus for 12 months.  Bath Building Society are next paying 3.19% on their Lifetime ISA but savers must be existing customers or live in the Bath area.  Beehive Money are third at 3% alongside Nude Finance but their 3% rate comes with a £2 monthly fee. Paragon Bank and Newcastle Building Society both pay 2.50% and Skipton are the laggards at 2.30%.

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