To start off with ensure you are making full use of your annual cash ISA allowance (currently £5,640).
Best Cash ISA rates
Cash ISA variable rate
Santander Direct ISA Issue 9
- 3.30% (AER) - incl 2.80% bonus for first 12 months
- Min. deposit £2,500
- Unlimited withdrawals without penalty
- Transfers accepted up to £29,999
Cash ISA fixed rate
Cheshire BS Direct Cash ISA ( Issue 2)
- 3.50% (AER) Fixed - incl 2.50% bonus until 31/10/2013
- Min. deposit £1,000
- Instant access
- No transfers in accepted
Once you have used up your annual ISA allowance then here are the best cash rates.
Instant Access (balances below £25,000)
Coventry BS Online Saver (2)
- 3.15% (AER) - incl 1.15% bonus for first 12 months
- Min. investment £1
- Max. investment £250,000
- Choose monthly or annual interest
- 4 penalty free withdrawals per year
Instant Access (balances of £25,000+)
Nationwide BS MySave Online Plus
- 3.17% (AER) - incl 1.62% bonus for first 12 months
- 2.85% (AER) for balances £1,000 - £24,999 - incl. 1.31% bonus for first 12 months
- Min. balance £1, max. investment £5m
- 1 penalty free withdrawal per year
If you are comfortable with locking your cash in for a period of time, then these are the best rates.
Fixed Rate Bond - 1 Year Term
cahoot 1 Year Fixed Rate Bond (issue 3)
- 3.60% (AER)
- Min. deposit £25,000
- Max. deposit £2m
- No additional deposits, withdrawals or account closure during term
Fixed Rate Bond - 2 Year Term
Allied Irish (GB) Savings Direct 2 Year Fixed Rate Bond
- 3.80% (AER)
- Min investment £1,000
- Max. investment £2m
- No additional deposits
- Withdrawals at the banks discretion and subject to interest penalties
Fixed Rate Bond - 5 Year Term
Vanquis Bank 5 Year Fixed Rate Bond
- 4.41% (AER)
- Min. investment £1,000
- Max. investment £250,000
- Monthly or annual interest payments
- No additional deposits, withdrawals or closure during term