Updated: Tue, 07 Aug 2012 01:00:00 GMT | By lovemoney.com

The best Cash ISAs

As Santander pulls its market-leading ISA, we take a look at the best Cash ISAs on the market today and how they compare to the heights of ISA season.


The best Cash ISAs

The best Cash ISAs

Savers still have eight months left to take advantage of their tax free savings allowance on cash (currently £5,640) for 2012/2013. Sadly, many of the best Cash ISAs launched at the beginning of the year, in April, have been withdrawn. Indeed just last week Santander pulled its Cash ISA paying 3,3%, which was a market leader.

So if you have some money that needs a good home, which are the best new homes for your cash? Below I've put together a round-up of the best Cash ISAs paying more than 3% - so beating inflation - across a range of terms.

Best notice and instant access Cash ISAs

ISA

 Interest rate AER

 Minimum deposit

 Transfers in?

 Term/Notice

Coventry BS 60 Day Notice ISA

 3.25% (includes a 0.50% bonus for 12 months)

£1

 No

 60 days notice

West Brom BS WebBSave ISA 6

3.18% (includes 1.66% bonus to 30.09.13)

£1,000

 Yes

 60 days notice

Aldermore 60 Day Notice Cash ISA Issue 1

3.15% (includes a bonus of 1.65% until 01.03.13)

£1,000

 Yes

 60 days notice

Manchester BS Platinum Instant ISA Issue 1

3.06% (includes a bonus of 1.05% for 12 months)

£1,000

 Yes

 Instant access

Barclays Cash ISA Loyalty Reward ISA*

3.05% (includes a bonus of 1.0% for 12 months)

£1

No

Instant access

Post Office Premier Cash ISA

3.01% (includes a bonus of 1.26% for 18 months)

£100

 Yes

 Instant access

ING Direct Cash ISA

3.00% (rate guaranteed for 12 months)

£1

 No

 Instant access

Marks & Spencer Advantage Cash ISA

3.00%

£100

 Yes

 Instant access

Santander Direct ISA Issue 10

3.00% (includes a bonus of 2.50% for 12 months)

£500

 Yes

 Instant access

*Only available to existing customers

Best one-year fixed rate Cash ISAs

ISA

 Interest rate AER

 Minimum deposit

 Transfers in?

 Term/Notice

Julian Hodge Bank Fixed Rate Cash ISA

3.35%

£100

 Yes

 One-year bond

Aldermore Fixed Rate Cash ISA

3.30%

£1,000

 Yes

 One-year bond

Metro Bank One-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA (2)

3.25%

£1

 Yes

 One-year bond

Santander One-Year Fixed Rate ISA

3.20%

£500

 Yes

 Fixed until 01.09.13

Progressive BS Ltd Issue Postal One-Year Fixed Rate ISA Bond 2

3.15%

£500

 Yes

 One-year bond

Marks & Spencer Cash ISA

3.10%

£500

 Yes

 One-year bond

Kent Reliance BS Flexible Fixed Rate ISA One -Year Issue 5

3.10%

£1,000

 Yes

 One-year bond

Post Office Fixed Rate Cash ISA Issue 7

3.10%

£500

 Yes

 One-year bond

Saga* One-Year Fixed Rate ISA

3.00%

£1

 Yes

 One-year bond

Virgin Fixed Rate Cash E-ISA Issue 15

3.00%

£1

 Yes

 One-year bond

* Only available to over 50s

Best 18-month and two-year Cash ISAs

ISA

 Interest rate AER

 Minimum deposit

Transfers in?

 Term/Notice

Santander Two-Year Fixed Rate Major ISA

4.00% (up to 4.1% if Rory McIlroy wins a Major)

£1

 Yes

 Two-year bond

Post Office Two-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA

3.60%

£500

 Yes

 Two-year bond

Principality Building Society (18 month fixed rate)3.33%£500Yes18-month fixed bond

BM Savings Two-Year Fixed Rate ISA (yearly interest)

3.30%

£500

 Yes

 Two-year bond

Marks & Spencer Cash ISA

3.25%

£500

 Yes

 Two-year bond

Halifax ISA Saver Fixed

3.25%

£500

 Yes

 Two-year bond

Nottingham BS Fixed Rate ISA Issue 8

3.20%

£500

 Yes

 Fixed until 31.10.2014

Best three-year Cash ISAs

ISA

 Interest rate AER

 Minimum deposit

 Transfers in?

 Term/Notice

Post Office Fixed Rate Cash ISA

3.70%

£500

 Yes

 Three-year bond

Saga Fixed Rate ISA*

3.70%

£1

 Yes

 Three-year bond

Marks & Spencer Fixed Rate Cash ISA

3.50%

£500

 Yes

 Three-year bond

Halifax ISA Saver Fixed

3.50%

£500

 Yes

 Three-year bond

Virgin Fixed Rate Cash E-ISA Issue 18

3.30%

£1

 Yes

 Fixed until 24.08.15

* Only available to over 50s

Best four- and five-year Cash ISAs

ISA

 Interest rate AER

Minimum deposit

 Transfers in?

 Term/Notice

Halifax Five-Year ISA Saver Fixed

4.15%

£500

 Yes

 Five-year bond

Halifax Four-Year ISA Saver Fixed

4.10%

£500

 Yes

 Four-year bond

 BM Savings Five-Year Fixed Rate ISA (yearly interest)

4.05%

£500

 Yes

 Five-year bond

Plummeting rates

Compared to four months ago, when the new tax year began and providers launched brand new ISAs, the rates on offer today are paltry.

Rates tend to hit their peak during ISA season as we get towards the end of the tax year. That's when providers are at their most competitive, as the new tax year sees a new ISA allowance. But rates fall, sometimes substantially, as the year goes on.

As well as rates being reduced, there are also fewer ISAs available. You can see how the table leaders have changed using our round-up from April 2012 in The best Cash ISAs for the new tax year 2012/13.

For example, the best rate instant access savings in April was 4.25% for Nationwide customers or an AA account that paid 3.5%. The best rate I could find on offer today pays just 3.06% from Machester BS.

This just goes to show how important it is to take advantage of ISAs as soon as you can. Later in the year fewer competitive accounts are likely to be around.

It's not too late though. Starting an ISA now instead of waiting for the deadline in April 2013 means you will at least have a healthier pot in time for next year. Plus, saving as early as possible in the tax year means you have more chance of taking advantage of the full allowance as well.

More on savings:

Top 10 ISA myths

Top Cash ISAs for transfers

Treasury orders banks to offer simple savings accounts

Top instant access savings accounts for small deposits

Islamic Bank of Britain launches savings bond paying 4%

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