ISA round up - 20th November
19/11/2023
Aside from the top two rates on 1 Year ISA, fixed rate ISA pricing tumbled on the week with rates significantly lower and more cuts likely to come. Zopa Bank, previously a best buy on longer term rates, cut pricing on Friday and this is likely to trigger further cuts as providers respond this week. The best easy access rates have also gone and Zopa finds itself back on top after a week of cuts and withdrawals. There's unlikely to be better news this week with easy access pricing looking in line with expectations that Base Rate has peaked at 5.25% and there's a strong likelihood of a cut in early 2024 being priced in to financial markets. Here's our round up of the best buys and key changes in the Individual Savings Account markets:
Last week's top three have all gone promoting Zopa Bank, who continue to pay an unrestricted 5.08%, to best buy. Their account is for new subscriptions only initially. Cynergy Bank are next at 5.07%, ahead of Virgin Money at 5.01%. The Virgin account pays a lower rate of 2% if more than three withdrawals are made in a calendar year. Leeds Building Society are next at 4.95% with Sainsburys Bank and and Charter Savings just behind - both tied at 4.91%. Metro Bank do pay 5.11% but this has a massive 3.46% 12 month bonus, which is why we exclude it from our tables - and it is only available in their branches.
Mansfield Building Society lead the way with its 180 Day Notice paying 5.30%. There's tie for second with West Brom Building Society paying 5.25% for 60 Days' Notice and Teacher's Building Society also paying 5.25%, but it wants 180 Days' Notice for this and 120 Days in return for 5%. Chorley Building Society are fourth with their 150 Day Notice paying 5.05%. Furness Building Society are the only notable mover with their 90 Day Notice paying 5.01%. Loughborough Building Society pay 5% for 180 Days Notice and 4.75% for 120 Day Notice. With several easy access ISA rates now above 5%, 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 - with a gap then to Metro Bank, who enter the tables paying 5.71%. There's a huge drop then to Charter Savings Bank at 5.45% and Kent Reliance at 5.43%. Zopa Bank drop to fifth paying 5.41%, although this is for new subscriptions only. Aldermore Bank pay 5.40% alongside Hodge, OakNorth and Close Brothers with Castle Trust Bank completing the top 10 at 5.35%.
Saffron Building Society are the new best buy paying 5.40% but we don't expect this to last the week. OakNorth are next at 5.33% and Zopa Bank drop to third with their rate cut to 5.31%. Close Brothers pay 5.30% with UBL Bank, Hodge and Monmouthshire Building Society all tied at 5.25%.
Close Brothers lead the way paying 5.15% ahead of Cynergy at 5.05% with Zopa third at 5.01% following their Friday rate cut. Aldermore Bank pay 5% alongside Hodge with other providers now well under 5%.
Hinckley & Rugby pay a best buy 4.90% but this is only available in branch or by post. Close Brothers are second at 4.80% with Zopa Bank paying 4.71% following their rate cut, just ahead of Gatehouse Bank at 4.70%.
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%.