Easy access cash ISA rates hit record low
The average interest rate on an easy access cash ISA has dropped to a new low of 1.17%, according to research from financial information website Moneyfacts.
The fall comes despite efforts from the Government to kickstart the market.
In the spring Budget the Chancellor announced an increased ISA limit, which launched in July.
Now with the new ISA, or NISA, savers can put away up to £15,000 in cash, stocks and shares, or any combination of the two.
It was hoped the changes would reignite the market and encourage providers to compete on rates.
But the Moneyfacts research shows the market remains subdued, with some rates actually falling since the new limit was introduced.
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Lacklustre response
An average rate of 1.17% on easy access cash ISAs is the lowest Moneyfacts has recorded since its records began back in 2007.
Meanwhile the average notice ISA is at 1.30%, a marginal increase over August, but still one of the lowest rates seen in the last 12 months.
Fixed rate cash ISA rates have dropped since April, with the average one-year fixed ISA rate tumbling by 0.08% to 1.51% in the last five months.
The ISA shakeup has also failed to boost the number of cash ISA products on the market. There are currently 283 ISAs available, the lowest number in 12 months.
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What's to blame?
Moneyfacts says the subdued market shows the Government's efforts to revive rates has been a 'flop' and we are still "paying the price" for the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS).
This was designed to help kick-start lending by giving banks and building socities access to cheap finance on the condition they would pass on the benefit to borrowers.
However, the access to cheap funds meant banks and building societies were less motivated to attract savers' money to boost their reserves, leading to a fall in saving rates.
Despite FLS enduing in January 2014 rates still haven't returned to anywhere near where they were before it was introduced.
The table below shows the average rates on easy access, notice and one-year fixed rate ISAs before, during and after the scheme.
ISA | Apr-12 | Aug-12 | Apr-13 | Jan-14 | Apr-14 | Jul-14 | Sep-14 |
Easy access Cash ISAs | 1.82% | 1.76% | 1.41% | 1.25% | 1.24% | 1.20% | 1.17% |
Notice Cash ISAs | 2.11% | 2.13% | 1.75% | 1.49% | 1.46% | 1.28% | 1.30% |
One-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISAs | 2.94% | 2.80% | 1.95% | 1.62% | 1.59% | 1.49% | 1.51% |
Source: Moneyfacts
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The best cash ISAs
If you are looking for the best tax-free home for your savings here are the top rates across the main types of cash ISAs.
Account | Type of ISA | Interest rate | Minimum deposit | Notes |
Newcastle BS Fixed Rate ISA | Five-year fixed rate | 2.85% | £1 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Coventry BS Fixed Rate ISA | Four-year fixed rate (until 31st May 2018) | 2.75% | £1 | New subscriptions only. |
Yorkshire Bank Fixed Rate Cash ISA | Three-year fixed rate (until 31st October 2017) | 2.45% | £2,000 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Clydesdale Bank Fixed Rate Cash ISA | Three-year fixed rate (until 31st October 2017) | 2.45% | £2,000 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Barclays Flexible Cash ISA | Two-year fixed rate | 2.02% | £1 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Coventry BS Branch Instant ISA | Easy access | 2% | £1 | New subscriptions only. |
Islamic Bank of Britain Sharia Compliant Notice Cash ISA | Notice | 1.80% | £250 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Post Office Fixed Rate Cash ISA | One-year fixed rate | 1.70% | £500 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
Post Office Premier Cash ISA | Easy access | 1.55% | £100 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
BM Savings Extra ISA 11 | Easy access | 1.55% | £1 | Transfers and new subscriptions. |
To keep up to date on the Cash ISA interest rates bookmark The best Cash ISAs.
And for a wider view of the best rates available for cash savings generally, including current accounts and peer-to-peer accounts, take a look at Where to earn the most interest on your cash.
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Related articles:
How NISAs can beat pensions at their own game
New ISAs allow for more tax-free saving
How tax can teahc us about saving
