ISA round up - 16th October
15/10/2023
Fixed rate ISAs continue to fall in the main with significantly more cuts than increases. Virgin continue to hold out on 1 Year but they are so far clear it's hard not to see this being cut or withdrawn in the very near future. NatWest will provide some support in 2 Year ISAs as they lead at 5.65% and this should prop up rates in this term for the month. Expect further falls when it goes at the start of November though. Easy access rates continued their rise but we think these are done - at least until the Base Rate decision on 2nd November - as there's little room for further rises now. Here's our round up of the best buys and key changes in the Individual Savings Account markets:
Easy access rates rose again with Coventry Building Society, increasing to 5.05% for its Four Access ISA (which allows four withdrawals a year before interest penalties for further withdrawals). Paragon Bank also improved - its Double Access ISA paying 4.95% to move ahead of Shawbrook who pay 4.93%. Virgin Money pay 4.91% - although this account pays a lower rate of 2% if more than three withdrawals are made in a calendar year - as do Charter Savings following their increase last week. There's a big drop then to Kent Reliance at 4.82% and Leeds Building Society at 4.80%.
Notice ISAs are unchanged as Stafford Railway Building Society top the tables paying 5.25% for 60 Days' Notice. Teacher's Building Society also pays 5.25% but wants 180 Days' Notice for this and 120 Days in return for 5%. Chorley Building Society are third with their 150 Day Notice paying 5.05%. Loughborough Building Society pay 5% for 180 Days Notice and 4.75% for 120 Day Notice. Melton Building Society pay 5.05% but isn't included in our tables as it is only accessible via their branches. With easy access ISA rates so high, no other notice accounts warrant consideration in our view.
Virgin Money still lead the way at 5.85% - savers must have or open a Virgin Money current account to get this rate - but it is so far ahead of second we expect it to go or be cut this week. Charter Savings are in second paying 5.76% with Kent Reliance at 5.71% ahead of UBL Bank's 5.70%. Close Brothers, NatWest, United Trust Bank and OakNorth all pay 5.65%.
NatWest pay a best buy 5.65% ahead of Zopa 5.61%. UBL Bank pay 5.60% alongside Monmouthshire Building Society, United Trust, Close Brothers, Nationwide and Secure Trust in a tightly packed top group.
Zopa pay a best buy 5.37% ahead of Secure Trust at 5.36% and Close Brothers, Castle Trust Bank and United Trust Bank who all pay 5.35%. Principality Building Society pay 5.30% before a drop to Cynergy at 5.15% and Aldermore Bank at 5.10%.
Zopa Bank pay a best buy 5.05% alongside West Brom Building Society with UBL Bank at 5.01% in joint third alongside Secure Trust. United Trust pay 4.95% alongside Close Brothers as all other providers are now sub 5%.
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. 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%.