I expect to be doing Nationwide FIXED ISA at 6.15% i'm already with this lot so just buy it over the counter , there is of course the Barclays one but with 1 or 2 IR cuts coming soon that could go down to 6% or less , also when the bonus period finishes with Barclays your be put on a poor rate then , so will have the hassle of transfering out .

What are you doing ??

Yeah after ignoring all the crap on the FSA tables that Nationwide fixed 6.15% thing comes out on top.

So either that or the Lloyds fixed 6.5% if it's still about next week.

Lloyds for me. I just don't see IRs climbing over this year (OK, maybe 0.25 up, only). They're more likely to drop. Maybe by the '09-'10 tax year they'll have to raise because of rampant inflation, but I think the figures will take a while to come through.

I'm considering going with the Barclays 6.5% one, but I'd want to check that the 6.5% is guaranteed for a year before I do so.

If it's not, then Lloyds-TSB may get my £3600.

I don't think you'll get that kind of guarantee out of Barclays. Their ISAs don't track the BoE base rate (this has been the case in the past too without any problems apparently) so, though they would be stupid to dramatically reduce rates on the ISA, there's nothing to stop them doing so. They'll be unwilling to guarantee that they won't, in writing IMHO.

I have a Nationwide Members' ISA Bond which currently has £32k in it. After this year's interest deposit and the contents of my Nationwide Flexaccount (which I keep £1k in, purely to use the debit card abroad without a transaction fee), my total balance with Nationwide will be only just below the FSCS £35k cutoff, so I'd like to put my 07-08 cash ISA allowance somewhere else. I'm thinking in terms of a fixed-term, fixed-rate bond, because I suspect BOE IRs are likely to fall in the next few months, and I'd like to hedge next year's allowance against the IRs on variable rate ISAs falling. A two-year bond would be perfect: I'd be willing to go with one, but not three or five. I'd also prefer a building society to a bank, and of course it has to be somewhere that's a member of the FSCS. A quick Google search suggests that, at 6.10%, the Leeds BS one-year ISA bond is probably my best bet, but if anyone has any better ideas, then I'm all ears! I suspect that in two years, HPs may have dropped enough for me to want the money for a deposit, hence my reluctance at tying it up for longer.

As for the stocks and shares allowance, I'm a bit reluctant to invest it, given the current volatility of the stock market. I have done for the previous four financial years: one year's lot is in a UK FTSE tracker fund, another in a UK growth fund, the third in a European growth fund and the fourth in an Asia/Pacific fund. I am thinking that a renewable and/or alternative energy OEIC or unit trust would probably be a good idea: given that we're at or just past peak oil, biofuels and renewables has to be a safe long-term bet. Again, all comments and suggestions welcome.

I am not attempting to estimate the chances of Barclays guaranteeing 6.5% for 12 months, but a friend of mine who has just put in £3k and intends to put a further £3600 on or after April 6th asked the 'rate guarantee' question and was told the rate was guaranteed for 12 months.

Of course, he could've asked an insufficiently unambiguous question, misunderstood their answer, or the person he spoke to may have been just plain wrong, but -- whether it's a long shot or not -- I would still ask the question and get their assurance -- written down if necessary!

Lloyds-TSB are willing to guarantee 6.5% for 12 months, so, as far as I can tell, it wouldn't be too wild an outcome for Barclays to be able to do the same thing.

I'm quite content to ask the question and base my choice upon their answer... I don't really care what the outcome is...

Your plan sounds like a good one. If you get their assurance in writing then you can at least have the liar disciplined if the rate changes. I think the Lloyds account is different. It is a genuine fixed rate ISA so there is no benefit if rates go up.

With one you take the gamble that rates won't go down, and on the other you take the gamble that rates won't go up.

My only concern as a FTB is locking away £18,000 for 12 months (his and hers ISAs). Never know how quickly this whole thing might unfold. I've seen some houses not too far afield dropping in price quite considerably in recently months. That said I'm not one to shoot my bolt too soon - despite what certain other HPC posters might say.

I suppose t's always possible to take the cash out early and forego (all?) interest anyway. Wondering where to put one's money is such a dilemma.

With the Lloyds account - you lose 90 day's interest if you make a withdrawal. No more, no less.

That's grand then, thanks for the info.

You still on about this , i told you on the Barclays thread , the 6.5% IS NOT GUARANTEED , read this link........

http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/js...lf&site=pfs

Have you read the link this time ?? ........Do you know what variable means ??
The 1% bonus is guaranteed but the underlying interest rate is VARIABLE , it's a trap it's so obvious , Barclays saving products are well known for being crap .

AB

If you don't need the cash as you say why leave it in the members bond , 32k is only 5.50 yet the fixed is currently paying 6.15 you can just transfer it in branch , thats over £200 extra , worth doing if your sure you don't need it , also i believe you could just transfer part of the 35k if you so wish , certainly worth considering fixing with the possibility of more IR cuts to come . There is a 2 year fix as well 6.15%.

I'm going for the Nationwide Fixed Rate ISA bond if it is still available next week.

Just heard on the grapevine that the NS&I Direct ISA is going down to 5.55% as of 6.4.08. Out out out!

12 months ago almost everyone on the forum was doing the NSI Direct ISA , it was good till until the end of the year , think i'll be dumping it to .

I have no idea why you've decided to talk this way to me. You posted something asking people what they were going to do. If you didn't want to have people just answer with what their plans are, why bother asking?

As far as I know, the only thing you have against me is that I inadvertently patronised you by over explaining something last week. This over explanation was only a mis-guided attempt to be helpful and informative, not to raise your ire.

Please can you just stop taking pot-shots? It's not very pleasant, and I don't see what's to be gained by it.

Your getting paranoid now This is a forum so expect banter , sarcasm and helpful advice , but you keep dishing out incorrect advice without checking the facts , you have been told by myself and others that your precious Barclays ISA is not a guaranteed rate , yet you still think it is , twice i've given you a link which you've obviously ignored and your still spouting this guarantee .
Do you now accept that the Barclays rate is not guaranteed ??

I really, really (REALLY) hate to split hairs in disagreements like this, but I don't believe you are correct about me giving advice. I, of course, am willing to be corrected, but I almost never knowingly give advice about anything. I am extremely cautious about any facts that I assert (to the extent that I very rarely assert anything at all).

The Barclays ISA product in question is not 'my precious ISA'. I have not asserted that it's a fixed rate for a year, and I have never said that 'I think it is'. I have only said that it is my intention to ask Barclays about it. Is there anything wrong with asking the bank in question about their own product, or should I just take the word of every forum poster who has ever asserted anything?

I have not 'spouted' (or, indeed, asserted) that there is a rate guarantee. I have only said that I'd like to ask Barclays what the deal is. Please read my first reply to this thread and you will see. It says:



The only thing that I've said that you could construe as saying that Barclays has a rate guarantee is when I said: "Lloyds-TSB are willing to guarantee 6.5% for 12 months, so, as far as I can tell, it wouldn't be too wild an outcome for Barclays to be able to do the same thing."

This is not saying that Barclays guarantees anything (or that I think it does), but merely that SOME bank IS guaranteeing 6.5% for 12 months, therefore, it's not unprecedented for such a think to happen, i.e. it's not unthinkable as at least one institution is actually doing it. It specifically DOESN'T say anything about whether Barclays actually does or doesn't guarantee anything.

For some reason, you don't seem to rate me very highly as a poster, and that's entirely up to you, but please don't level accusations about me not checking facts etc., especially when all that I've specifically said is that I intend to check what Barclays have to say for themselves on the subject -- that IS checking the facts, or at least the bank's own opinion about their own products.

In short: what is your problem?

I havn't got one ............ ....although you seem to have one judging by that story you've written above

I genuinely tried to help you on the other thread , made the effort to get the link for you re. the Barclays ISA , if you'd bothered to read it your'd realise there is no mention of the guarantee , and that would ended the subject , but alas.......

Where is there a mention of the guarantee ?? Have another look , it's a trap ISA it's just so obvious ..........

http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/js...lf&site=pfs

BTW i'm not trying to give you advice , i wouldn't dream of it

Well, I have this thing about not liking it when people make up lies about me. I'm weird like that...

I am always grateful for any useful links, and do use them as part of doing my own research. Part of my researching of a bank's products is to actually ask the bank about them. I'm sorry to say I'm weird like that, too!

On the subject of your link (the alleged non-reading of which seems to have caused the bulk of the nastiness aimed my way), I've tried it on a couple of occasions and have had trouble with it, but I will continue to try it from time to time if I remember because it doesn't give a 'Page not found', but just seems to time out, so hopefully it's just a temporary problem.

EDIT: I'm still having trouble with your link now. I just get a blank page.

Just to make sure you have all the info: the Lloyds account only pays 6.5% to ISAs over £9000.

No one's accusing you of lying

The link , to be fair i just tried it , it doesn't always come up , try post 5 on this thread , if your doing all this reasearch on banks surely you could of just gone to the Barclays website and checked it yourself .

Here from the Barclays ISA link post 5 i've copied it just for you ..................................

Tax Haven ISA
Open from £1
Interest rate (variable rates)† 6.50% AER**/6.31% Tax free*
Variable. Paid monthly
Maximum deposit £3,000 for tax year 2007/2008
£3,600 for tax year 2008/2009
Access Instant – no charge
£10 minimum withdrawal

† Rates are variable. These rates include an introductory bonus of 1% gross. The bonus will be paid for 12 months from the date you open your account, after which time the rates will reduce accordingly. We may withdraw the availability of the Tax Haven ISA or the bonus offer at any time without notice. This is a cash ISA. Transfers from other ISAs are not permitted.

No sign of the word GUARANTEE

Thanks for the info, but I did know this. I already have in excess of £9k in the Lloyds-TSB fixed-rate ISA (in theory, at least -- see below), so it would just be an additional £3600.

Actually, I'm having some trouble with Lloyds-TSB.

I originally went into Lloyds-TSB to open a FRISA on Feb 20th and to arrange the transferring of ISA funds from elsewhere in order to qualify for the 6.5%. It took nearly a month (until Mar 17th) for the ISA funds to leave the other bank, and the funds are still not in the FRISA today! (I've just been on the phone with Lloyds-TSB.)

I've been chasing this for about a week, and to begin with was basically told the delay was 'normal', and finally decided last Saturday to tell them I wasn't happy with this response. I have someone in my local Lloyds-TSB chasing this with their ISA Centre (or whatever they call it).

When this is finally settled, if Lloyds-TSB don't agree to begin calculating my 6.5% from on (or very near) Mar 17th, they're going to be getting the proverbial 'piece of my mind'...

Blah blah -- my disagreement with you (if any) is nothing to do with Barclays, for goodness sake!

It's about your unnecessary nastiness... and I didn't say you accused ME of lying -- I said you were making up lies ABOUT me by saying I was giving bad advice and asserting 'facts', when I didn't give any advice, nor did I assert anything about a guarantee!

Our little altercation could've been avoided altogether if you'd actually read what I say instead of taking an insulting tone without provocation!

The acronym 'FFS' springs to mind, but I'll try not to use it...

Just back down and admit you've been a nasty piece of work for no reason and accused me of some stuff I didn't do! Simple, see?

Ok lads, That is enough Bickering Don`t make me punish you both...


Anymore silliness and then it`s Smack, Bottle and Bed.....

I will ground both of you and you will not be allowed to stay up and watch House Price Crash....


Edit cos I`m tired

Promises, promises!

Ok some daft questions.

I have made an appointment to see Lloyds tomorrow, looking to open up a Cash Isa. I have 6k+ Int in Cash Isa with ING at the moment and have the funds to transfer another 3.6k into next week. Will I qualify for the 6.5% fixed for a year ?

The Wife has 3k + Int in ING Cash Isa and we have the funds to add 3.6k in next week. Where is the best place for this to go.

Need to get out of ING, Crap rates for ISA`s

ps. Grey Shark thanks for advice on ING Bonds on the other thread

Let us know how it goes and what the bank manager says. My bank manager had some doubt as to whether the 6.5% deal would still be available in the next ISA year.

In any case you won't get 6.5% until you have £9000+ in the account which is not possible before 6th April 2008. I'll be popping down to my local Lloyds on Friday/Saturday to see if I can get the account opened and money in bright and early for the new ISA year starting Monday (7th).

As for your wife's cash ISA - try the FSA tables - as Grey Shark mentioned at the start of this thread Nationwide's 1 year fixed ISA at 6.15% looks good:
http://www.fsa.gov.uk/tables

BOB
I don't do advice , like everyone else it's just suggestions , looks like it's a close call between Nationwide fix OR Lloyds probably depends on your circumstances , i had thought one or two other GOOD ideas might pop up .

Ok, Thanks for the suggestion

Will post tomorrow pm after my visit to Lloyds with an update

Anyway Who`s Bob

Cheers Bosh

IIRC, you will get the 6.5% rate from the point that your balance exceeds £9k but it won't quite be for a year because your ISA will already be a week old.

In short, yes you'll qualify for the 6.5% but it's worth checking tomorrow.

My thoughts too, so I've already opened the account, but haven't initiated a transfer yet until I get the BoE rate decision this week. If it's up, I might reconsider. (Nothing illegal here IMO, because I'm still investing the allowed amount into my ISA each year.)

My mistake , i've seen you chat to bobthe~ , about Epsom stuff hence why i got Bob and bosh mixed up

Just visited Barclays and received confirmation (in the unlikely event that any was needed! ) that only the bonus part of their 6.5% rate (which is 1%) is guaranteed for a year.

The underlying rate (5.5%) is not guaranteed.

I was assured that they have no specific intention of varying the 5.5%, but they would say that wouldn't they?

I'm sticking with Natwest for my ISA, monthly interest, 5.50%.

Hi GreyShark,
I'm doing the Lloyds fixed rate ISA – one year at 6.5% if investing over £9k and they allow transfers in.
Also I just spotted an NSandI advert on the base of this site highlighting the 14th issue of their bonds.
Is this a new issue? You seem to be the man in the know on these. I have one already but want more!

Yes the 15th issue 3year and 42nd 5year came out in April 2007 , where have you been since then no more , usually 2 or 3 a year , obviously cos of the credit crunch etc ......................

http://www.nsandi.com/products/ilsc/rates.jsp

You can buy the same issue many times over in the form of a trust , using anyone spouse, partner , kids , family , friends etc , the've beaten almost all savings accounts outside of ISA's these last 12 months .

It must be the 14th issue of one of their shares linked bonds then. I got myself a 3 year bond in October but want another one – hopefully I won't be waiting too long.

I have £18,600 in a Nationwide 60 Day notice ISA bond paying only 5.30%.

Next week I'm moving it to ALLIANCE AND LEICESTER ISA paying 6.25% with instant access. This is the best on the market that has instant access and is British.

I know many of you on this site might say Don't Do It! A&L could go as per Nothern Rock or worse. But I'm convinced the British Government will not let a British bank go bust and 100000% convinced that it will guarantee deposits up to £35,000.

Just a little update on this:

The funds I have transferred have still not been credited to my new Lloyds-TSB FRISA. I have been reassured by someone at Lloyds-TSB that interest will be back-dated to the 'date on the cheque' that they received from the bank from which the ISA funds were transferred (which should be Mar 17th or thereabouts).

However, in the meantime, Lloyds-TSB's ISA Department are unwilling to pursue individual cases until the delay between the date on the cheque and the funds arriving (or rather NOT arriving) in the FRISA exceeds 35 days, so they've given themselves until Apr 21st...

This is my only gripe with the Lloyds account. In 12 months the rate will come down and your stuck with them unless you take a 3 month interest hit. I am strting to be swayed by Nationwides account but nned to check exit fees on this as well. Saying that I have had my HSBC ISA for so long I had better check what exit fees are on this as well.

? you must leave your money in for one year but once the year is up, surely you can withdraw without penalty?

That was my understanding, yes.

You get the fixed rate for 12 months and then you are free to withdraw without penalties. You are only penalised if you withdraw within the 12-month fix.

Hello. This ISA has a great rate but appalling customer service. I know, I have quite a bit of money in one. The branch tell you the transfer is instanteous but them only backdating when you make a fuss is not acceptable. Even then, they are only backdating to the date they recieve the the cheque, not the date the funds left your old ISA. This lack of backdating interest brings the real interest rate down. Whereas Abbey etc make sure you are not out of pocket when transferring. The only comfort is that should interest rates fall, perhaps the fixed rate should make up for this. I will also put this years £3600 in it to help offset the losses. I also have two other ISAs in the process of transferring in. I expect I shall have to make a fuss about those being backdated too.

Hello I have 9k tied up in Halifax paying 5.25%, if I want to move to another bank paying more, can I move all of the 9K or only put £3600 into the new ISA?

If you transfer the ISA properly (usually involves putting something in witting requesting the transfer) then I believe you can transfer the entire 9k, regardless of the £3600 a year limitation of new money for a cash ISA.

YES you move the whole lot plus all interest , then with your new provider you can top this years allowance up with the 3,600 .
If i were you open the new ISA first and at the same time get the transfer forms . If your going to a NEW provider take either your driving licence/pass port plus 2 recent bills , otherwise they won't open it for you .
5.25% your being ripped off