Fierce competition has been reignited among banks, building societies and investment platforms providing cash Isas, with several bringing out new deals in the past few days to tempt savers.
Savings rates have been plummeting for weeks so it has been a pleasant surprise to see a new set of eye-catching deals pop up in the past week.
Not all appear in my Best Buy tables because they have strings attached that mean they will not be the best pick for all savers.
New deals: Savings rates have been plummeting for weeks so it has been a pleasant surprise to see a new set of eye-catching deals pop up in the past week
But, if you are aware of – and willing to abide by – their terms and conditions, they could present a good opportunity to grow your money.
Among the most attractive new deals launched is Coventry Building Society’s new Four Access Isa (Online) 2, which pays 4.8 per cent.
It does not appear in my Best Buy table because it is not a true easy-access account – you can only make up to four free withdrawals a year, rather than dip in and out as you need to.
But you could enjoy a very competitive rate. If you are happy with going through an app, then Trading 212 pays an even higher 5.1 per cent on an easy-access Isa.
Skipton BS’s new Base Rate Tracker pays 4.65 per cent.
If you opt for this account, the rate is not locked in, but at least you always know where you stand.
That is because it tracks the Bank of England base rate by always paying just 0.35 percentage points below it.
However, it has one catch – it tracks the base rate for only a year. After that, your money is transferred into another easy-access Isa.
The society pays only 3.55 per cent on its Cash Isa Saver so be sure to set a one-year reminder if you do take out an account.
The best fixed-rate Isas sit just above 4.5 per cent for one year, or 4.4 per cent for two years.
These fixed rates may be lower than those offered before the August Bank of England base rate change from 5.25 per cent to 5 per cent, but may prove good value if the base rate falls further still.
The top one-year rate is 4.56 per cent from Aldermore launched today.
Some 2.1million savers are expected to pay tax on their interest this tax year, a Freedom of Information request from HM Revenue & Customs by investment platform AJ Bell shows.
You can put up to £20,000 each tax year into Isas tax free – and, in the case of cash Isas, you can split it between fixed rates and easy access with different providers.
Sy.morris@dailymail.co.uk
Check the best cash Isa rates in our savings tables
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk