Kent Reliance BS will increase the rate on their Direct Mini Cash ISA by the full 0.25%, from 5.71% to 5.96%, with effect from the 1st June 2007.
They also allow transfers in which many others with higher rates do not.
I've just added an extra £160 interest approx. by transferring from the Nationwide.

Happy saving

Link: KENT RELIANCE BS

Abbey are also to increase their Direct ISA rate by 0.25% on 01/06.

This will take it to 6% for balances > £9k and 5.75% below.

They also allow transfers in.

Only thing to note which I think was mentioned in my previous thread is that there is a 0.5%
variable rate bonus included in this payable to 1/5/2008.

Just to update you all, Kent are now paying FROM the first of Aug 07 6.21% on their Cash ISA.

I'm Loving it!

Thanks for the info! Do you have a link?

Kent BS's ISA webpage still says 5.96%.

EDIT: Found it! The interest rate change is announced on their home-page.

Kent BS would be fine except it is a postal account which would be a pain in the butt for me.

Is there some major drawback of sorting out an ISA (and/or ISA transfer) by post? I don't think it'd be my first choice, but I don't see any serious disadvantages.

It makes life significantly more complicated if you have this and several other accounts or you plan to move abroad etc. It is far more convenient if it is purely internet based as you would just need to click a few buttons now and again.

I think you are looking for probelms which aren't there.

Let me explain.

I've just come back from being abroad for the best part of 3 years and I ran the account successfully. In fact in that time I moved my Tessa only Isa into the cash Isa and close to the fifth of April every year send off cheques for both my wife and I for the full amounts every year.

Although internet based accounts are 'easier' do they come close to this one for a little extra time spent doing it?

I don't think so personally, but each to their own!

It may not be the top payer, but it was the only one which (when I looked) allowed you to transfer in cash) and still get a good rate.

No connection with Kent apart from having 50 odd k there for the best part of four years. They ain't let me down yet.

I looked at Kent Reliance last week, when I realised that NS&I don't allow transfers from previous tax years. I was put off slightly by the fact that Kent Reliance BS offer self-cert and BTL mortgages, among others.

Does this bother anyone else, in terms of morals, but more importantly, in terms of cash safety?

Not me. As long as you don't have over 31k with 'em 90% should be safe.

The exact amounts are on this website somewhere.

Morals, what, when they are offering one of the best ISA rates around? Nah, not me.

If you're referring to the FSA's FSCS, then I believe it's 100% of the first £2k, then 90% of the next £33k.

So, the first £35k is 'safe', and should result in compensation of:

2000 + (33000 x 0.9) = 31700

Cheers, that it!

I'll try and remember that next time.