- What are ISAs?
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were introduced by the government as a way of encouraging individuals to save. ISAs provide a tax-free incentive, allowing you to earn interest without having to pay tax on it, unlike other investments held outside an ISA wrapper that are subjected to income or capital gains tax.
With standard savings accounts, higher-rate taxpayers lose 40% on any savings interest to the tax-man, while those in the basic-rate tax band lose 20%. Therefore, if you are a taxpayer, making use of your annual ISA allowance can be very rewarding, and comparing the market to find the best isa rates will help you to get the most from your tax free allowance. - How do ISAs work?
Each tax year (running from April to April), everyone living in the UK is entitled to a £7,200 ISA allowance which can be split up between a cash ISA and stocks and shares ISA (which increased to £10,200 from October 2009 for all savers aged 50 and over and April 6th 2010 for everyone else).
The maximum amount that can be put into a cash ISA within any one year is £3,600, however you can use up to your full £7,200 allowance solely for a stocks and shares ISA, without paying any tax on the returns you gain.
You can only open one cash ISA, and one stocks and shares ISA each tax year, but it is possible to move balances from existing ISAs into another ISA, as long as the new account provider allows transfers, and the transfer is carried out by the bank. - Where do I go to open an ISA?
If you're looking for somewhere to make use of your ISA allowance it is worth comparing different providers to find the best ISA rates. At Which4U, we compare ISAs from a wide range of providers, helping you to see which accounts offer the best ISA rates, and which account would best suit your savings needs. Whether you're looking for an ISA that rewards you for leaving your money untouched, or you require instant access to your account, we have something for you.
Something to remember when using this type of savings vehicle is that like standard savings accounts, ISA providers often pay high introductory rates lasting for the first 12 months from opening the account, so don't be shy to keep on-top of the best rates on offer and make the most of your savings. - What are investment ISAs?
Stocks & shares ISAs are a great alternative to their cash counterparts for those that wish to see their savings more as an investment. There are a number of options to choose from, each carrying a different level of risk together with various possible returns offered. These types of ISAs to provide the potential to earn much higher returns, but the reason for this is that the risk element is introduced, so it's up to you to decide whether you are happy with this.
Banking & Saving - Best ISA Rates - Compare High Interest ISAs
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Best ISA Rates
BEST ISA RATES - Compare top performing Isas with our easy to use table and quickly see the latest deals on offer. Make the most of your tax free allowance and start saving Today!
Best ISA Rates
| Provider | Account | AER | Notice | Deposit Per Year | Apply | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Max | |||||
| View Full Table > | ||||||
 |
No withdrawals allowed. Transfer your existing ISA balances to this ISA and get 4.25% AER. Minimum deposit £500.
|
4.25%
|
Instant
|
£500 | £3,600 | |
|
|
No withdrawals allowed. Transfer your existing ISA balances to this ISA and get 3.75% AER. Minimum deposit £500.
|
3.75%
|
Instant
|
£500 | £3,600 | |
|
|
No withdrawals allowed. Transfer your existing ISA balances to this ISA and get 3.50% AER. Minimum deposit £500.
|
3.50%
|
Instant
|
£500 | £3,600 | |
 |
Deposit £1 - £9k and get 2.0% AER for 12 months. Deposit £9K+ and get 3.0% AER for 12 months. Transfer your existing ISA balances to this ISA. NO withdrawal Restrictions
|
3%
|
Instant
|
£9,000 | £150,000 | |
|
|
No withdrawals allowed. Transfer your existing ISA balances to this ISA and get 2.50% AER. Minimum £500 deposit.
|
2.50%
|
Instant
|
£500 | £3,600 | |
- Get 4.25% AER Fixed for 4 Years
- Minimum opening balance - £500
- Maximum balance - up to £3,600 (£5,100 for those aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010) in any one tax year
- No withdrawals
- No additional deposits - after account opening. However, if you are aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010 and you have funded your fixed rate ISA with current year funds you can make a one-off extra payment into your account before 6 April 2010 so you can take advantage of the new ISA limit of £5,100.
- Manage your savings - In branch, by phone or view your balance online 24/7
- Britain's No 1 for ISAs*
- Number of accounts - you can only fund one cash ISA during any one tax year. If you already have an ISA with another provider and want to take advantage of our cash ISA interest rate, ask to transfer your ISA today
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Get 3.75% AER Fixed for 3 Years
- Minimum opening balance - £500
- Maximum balance - up to £3,600 (£5,100 for those aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010) in any one tax year
- No withdrawals
- No additional deposits - after account opening. However, if you are aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010 and you have funded your fixed rate ISA with current year funds you can make a one-off extra payment into your account before 6 April 2010 so you can take advantage of the new ISA limit of £5,100.
- Manage your savings - In branch, by phone or view your balance online 24/7
- Britain's No 1 for ISAs*
- Number of accounts - you can only fund one cash ISA during any one tax year. If you already have an ISA with another provider and want to take advantage of our cash ISA interest rate, ask to transfer your ISA today
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Get 3.50% AER Fixed for 2 Years
- Minimum opening balance - £500
- Maximum balance - up to £3,600 (£5,100 for those aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010) in any one tax year
- No withdrawals
- No additional deposits - after account opening. However, if you are aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010 and you have funded your fixed rate ISA with current year funds you can make a one-off extra payment into your account before 6 April 2010 so you can take advantage of the new ISA limit of £5,100.
- Manage your savings - In branch, by phone or view your balance online 24/7
- Britain's No 1 for ISAs*
- Number of accounts - you can only fund one cash ISA during any one tax year. If you already have an ISA with another provider and want to take advantage of our cash ISA interest rate, ask to transfer your ISA today
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Save up to £3,600 in the 2009/10 tax year without paying any tax on the interest
- Transfer/Deposit £1 - £9,000 & get 2.0% AER (includes a 12 month variable rate bonus of 1.50% gross/AER)
- Transfer/Deposit £9,000+ & get 3.0% AER (includes a 12 month variable rate bonus of 2.00% gross/AER)
- After 12 month intro rate reduces to:
- £1 - £9,000 = 0.5%AER
- £9,000 + 1.00%AER
- Pay-in/Withdraw via Abbey Branch, Online, and Telephone
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Earn 2.5% AER tax free fixed for 1 year
- Minimum opening balance - £500
- Maximum balance - up to £3,600 (£5,100 for those aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010) in any one tax year
- No withdrawals
- No additional deposits - after account opening. However, if you are aged 50 or above on or before 5 April 2010 and you have funded your fixed rate ISA with current year funds you can make a one-off extra payment into your account before 6 April 2010 so you can take advantage of the new ISA limit of £5,100.
- Manage your savings - In branch, by phone or view your balance online 24/7
- Britain's No 1 for ISAs*
- Number of accounts - you can only fund one cash ISA during any one tax year. If you already have an ISA with another provider and want to take advantage of our cash ISA interest rate, ask to transfer your ISA today
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Save up to £3,600 in the 2009/10 tax year without paying any tax on the interest
- Transfer/Deposit £1 - £9,000 & get 2.0% AER (includes a 12 month variable rate bonus of 1.50% gross/AER)
- Transfer/Deposit £9,000+ & get 3.0% AER (includes a 12 month variable rate bonus of 2.00% gross/AER)
- After 12 month intro rate reduces to:
- £1 - £9,000 = 0.5%AER
- £9,000 + 1.00%AER
- Pay-in/Withdraw via Abbey Branch, Online, and Telephone
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS - Financial Services Compensation Scheme
- Enjoy TAX-FREE saving with our simple cash ISA account.
- EARN 2.50% GROSS P.A./AER (variable) on balances over £9,000. Rate includes a bonus payable until 1st July 2010.
- Balances between £1 and £8,999 earn 2.00% GROSS P.A./AER (variable). Rate includes a bonus payable until 1st July 2010.
- TRANSFER in existing ISA funds from another Cash ISA.
- No withdrawal charges.
- Open account in minutes.
- ACCESS your MONEY within 24 hours when a transfer is made into your Alliance & Leicester current account: or up to 4 working days for a transfer to another provider.
- Available to those aged 16 or over.
- Minimum investment of £1.
- Invest up to £3,600 in this tax year – click here to see the changes to ISA limits for over 50’s after 6th October 2009.
- No limitations on the amount you may withdraw.
- Mini cash ISA transfers from other providers permitted~.
- Interest paid annually.
- Transfers from other Principality Building society accounts to e-ISA accounts are not permitted.
- YOUR SAVINGS ARE PROTECTED UP TO £50,000 BY THE FSCS – Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Latest ISA News 
-
Act fast and make the most of your Isa allowance
- Savers yet to make use of their Individual Savings Accounts (Isa) allowance for the 2009/10 tax year should act quickly in order to benefit from tax free earnings. Normal savings ...
- Read More >
- Tue 2nd Feb, 2010
-
Savers prepare for over-due increase to ISA limits
- Last year, Alistair Darling announced plans to raise the amount that can be put into ISAs from £7,200 to £10,200, which will come into effect in the new tax year (April 6th). Those ...
- Read More >
- Tue 2nd Feb, 2010
-
Over-50s 'making most of ISA increase'
- Consumers over the age of 50 are making the most of the increase on ISA saving allowances, it has been claimed. Last year's move to increase saving limits on ISA accounts has proven to ...
- Read More >
- Mon 1st Feb, 2010
-
Caution advised when selecting ISA
- People wishing to take out an ISA are urged to check they will not be charged should they wish to switch accounts later on. Britons looking to take out an ISA are being advised to do so ...
- Read More >
- Tue 26th Jan, 2010
-
New ISAs on offer to Co-op Bank customers
- Co-operative Bank customers are now able to access fixed rate savings for the first time. A new range of saving accounts are now available to Co-operative Bank customers following its ...
- Read More >
- Wed 4th Nov, 2009
-
ISA myths dispelled
- Despite some thoughts to the contrary, one writer points out that saving in an ISA is a simple process. A writer has taken the time to dispel a number of the myths surrounding ISA ...
- Read More >
- Fri 16th Oct, 2009
-
People urged to make maximum use of ISAs
- Britons have been advised to make full use of the ISA saving allowance increase. Taking full advantage of the investment allowance on ISAs could see people significantly boost the ...
- Read More >
- Thu 15th Oct, 2009
Editors Choice
Halifax 2yr Fixed Rate Web Saver
Get a fantastic 3.50% AER fixed for 2 years TAX FREE on your savings! No withdrawals are allowed during the term.
