Cash ISA, anybody recommend a decent one?

[Soulassassin]

I currently have a cash ISA with a 2.18% rate with HSBC which I've had about a year now. However I got a letter this week saying the promotional interest rate I was on is ending and its going to 0.2%. I phoned em up and they've offered another promotion of an additional 1.4% making it 1.6% which I think is still quite poor. So I think I'm going to transfer it to another, I intend to max out the limit when I can in April and would prefer if I can withdraw should I need to (thinking about moving later in the year) however a fixed year term may be an option.
Anybody got some advice or a decent ISA they can recommend?

[Zippeyrude]

All rates are gash atm

Moneysupermarket will give you a liad of comparison rates.

[{{909}}]

Things may have changed by now, but when I got one a few years ago, Natwests e-isa was about 1% higher than most. That said, its still wank and hardly seems worthwhile.

[blacksheep]

If you stick it in a stocks and shares one there's several fairly stable shares that are paying in the 4-6% range.

[evilsatan]

If you go the stocks and shares route then be careful and also consider dividend yields as well as capital growth. Some dividends are pretty high (around 5%) and you might have growth in addition.

[hoponbaby]

Also if you're looking for max interest then consider regular savers - you don't get the tax free wrapper of the ISA but may still work out better, especially if you're looking to cash them in later and so don't need the tax wrapper long term.

[Soulassassin]

I did start a stocks and shares isa (medium risk) at the same time as my cash isa with the advice from HSBC. Just over a month later it was £400 down which I though was a bit steep for so called medium risk, so I sold it and maxed the cash isa instead. A total of £600 lost thanks to the great advice from the bank. I would prefer to keep it in an isa as once withdrawn you can't put the money back in and there's no real risk. HSBC do have an e-isa that is at 2.76% I think but won't let you transfer. Was just hoping some peeps on here might have a decent one that they would recommend to others.

[Roach-Rampino]

Maybe you should have a look at Premium Bonds as they are secure and you have instant access to them should you wish to cash them in.
I have a reasonable amount and have small wins at least every other month.

[SiE]

Maybe you should have a look at Premium Bonds as they are secure and you have instant access to them should you wish to cash them in.
I have a reasonable amount and have small wins at least every other month.

I must be really unlucky. I have quite a few bonds and have won once in 3 years. I was thinking of cashing some in and pitting the money elsewhere.

[Over Carl]

I thought you didn't get interest on premium bonds? Therefore if you don't win (which isn't guaranteed), you will actually loose money in real terms.

[Soulassassin]

I actually never heard of premium bonds (or at least never knew what they were). As the national lottery are doubling there prices, I promised myself I would stop doing that. These bonds seem like a nice alternative where I can still have that glimmer of hope of getting out of my disabilitating job. Do you both 7se 5he NS&I bonds or are there more to choose from?

[tronads]

I moved all my savings, and my bairns savings, into my offset mortgage account.....so they are saving me more interest than they could earn.

[jw_2000_uk]

I have Premium bonds..

ive won £500 once.. But mainly £25/£50's

and not alot recently to be hounest.. And thats since i hit the max ammount.. Was winning more with less in :-/

there good fun, and once a month its summit to look foreword to..

[goggles]

Look at Martin Lewis site for an ISA.
If you want a saving account I think Cheshire are 5% before tax with monthly contributions if its still running.