This survey was compiled on 1 February, 2003. Please contact ISA providers with individual queries.

We have not included ISAs open only to holders of maturing TESSAs.

Money Box asked the following ISA providers what rate of interest they are currently paying on their cash ISAs and whether they are offering customers any sort of guarantee against further rate cuts.

Here are the responses we received.

Some accounts may have restrictions on withdrawals, so do check with the individual provider.

ABBEY NATIONAL
Easy ISA (CAT standard)
Postal ISA

Minimum opening balance:
�10 (Easy ISA)
�3,000 (Postal ISA)

Rate of interest paid: 3.45% (both)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee never to fall less than 2% below Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Abbey National
telephone: 0800 174 635
or visit:

ALLIANCE & LEICESTER
Mini Cash ISA (CAT standard)

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.00%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee that interest paid will be no lower than 2% below Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Alliance & Leicester
write to:
SavingsDirect
PO Box 478
Narborough
Leicester
LE19 OZJ
telephone: 08456 964 5660
or visit:

(for more information on fixed rate ISAs launched on 3 February, 2003)

BANK OF SCOTLAND
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 3.70%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
CAT standard but no additional interest rate guarantees.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Bank of Scotland
or telephone: 0500 31 31 11
or visit:

BARCLAYS AND WOOLWICH
Woolwich Cash ISA
Barclays Variable Rate ISA

Minimum opening balance:
�1 (Woolwich)
�10 (Barclays)

Rate of interest paid: 3.60% (both)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Both are variable rate ISAs so there is no guarantee.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Woolwich or Barclays
or telephone: 0800 400 100

BRADFORD & BINGLEY
Easy Saver and Capital Saver ISAs

Minimum opening balance: �10 (Easy Saver) �500 (Capital Saver)

Rate of interest paid: 3.90% (Easy Saver) 4.30% (Capital Saver)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee that interest paid will be no lower than 2% below Bank of England base rate for Easy Saver. Interest rate on Capital Saver will always remain 0.25% above Easy Saver.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers with Easy Saver ISA to transfer to another provider for no charge. For Capital Saver customers, it has to be within access period, otherwise 90 days loss of interest.

For further information:
contact branch of Bradford & Bingley
telephone: 0845 6008885
or visit:

BRISTOL & WEST
Easylife Fixed for 1 ISA

Minimum opening balance:
�3,000 (transfers in not permitted)

Rate of interest paid: 4.35%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Interest fixed for the term of investment (12 months), paid on maturity. Then matures into B&W variable rate ISA with guarantee not to be more than 1% below Bank of England base rate for life of account.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Transfers out are permitted. During fixed term 180 days notice must be given or there is loss of interest. At all times a �30 administration fee is payable.

For further information:
contact branch of Bristol & West or
telephone: 0808 181 1111

BRITANNIA
Mini cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.00%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
The rate is variable.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Britannia
telephone: 0800 132304
or visit:

CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER
C&G Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �100

Rate of interest paid: 4.25%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of C&G
telephone: 0800 717505
write to:
C&G Invest Direct
P O Box 116
Fareham
Hants
PO15 5UT
or visit:

CHESHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY
Mini Cash ISA Third Issue

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.10%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
CAT standard, no other guarantees.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Cheshire BS
telephone: 0845 755 0555
or visit:

CO-OPERATIVE BANK
Cash Mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 3.25% (variable)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer. No loss of interest for transferring or withdrawals.

For further information:
telephone: 08457 121212

COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY
Square Deal ISA (CAT Standard)

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 3.85%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, it is guaranteed to be no lower than 0.50% below the Bank of England base rate until 30 June, 2003.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of Coventry BS
telephone: 0845 7665522
or visit:

DIRECT LINE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Cash Mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.20%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
telephone: 0845 300 1230

HALIFAX
ISA Saver and Fixed Rate ISA Saver

Minimum opening balance: �1 (ISA Saver) �3,000 (Fixed Rate ISA Saver)

Rate of interest paid: 3.55% (ISA Saver) 4.05% (Fixed Rate ISA Saver)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, the ISA Saver interest rate will never be more than 2% below Bank of England base rate. Fixed Rate ISA - rate fixed for term.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, for the ISA Saver we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge. For the Fixed Rate ISA there is a loss of 180 days of interest if closed before maturity.

For further information:
contact branch of Halifax
telephone: 0845 726 3646
or visit:

HSBC
Cash Mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 3.50%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
CAT standard - so interest rate no lower than 2% below Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of HSBC
telephone: 08457 404 404
or visit:

JARVIS
Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �250 or �25 a month

Rate of interest paid: 4.45% (variable)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, we guarantee to pay no less than 2% below the Bank of England base rate (CAT standard).

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge, 30 days notice required.

For further information:

telephone Client Services: 01892 510 515
visit:

or e-mail: [email protected]

JULIAN HODGE BANK
Variable Rate Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �250 (subsequent deposits of �50)

Rate of interest paid: 4.25%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, we have a published minimum interest rate set at 0.25% over Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge providing three months notice is given in writing. If customers want access earlier, they pay penalty of three months interest.

For further information:

At the moment only accepting ISA applications from existing JHB customers until at least summer 2003.

KENT RELIANCE BS
Variable Rate Mini Cash ISA
2 Year Fixed Rate Mini Cash ISA
3 Year Fixed Rate Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance:
�1
�100
�100

Rate of interest paid:
4.40%
3.85%
4.05%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Guarantees only on Fixed Rate. Variable is subject to interest rate changes but no lower than 2% below Bank of England base rate. Fixed rates will be reviewed at end of term.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers with a Variable ISA to transfer to another provider for no charge. But 100 days penalty interest on the Fixed Rate ISAs.

For further information:

telephone: 01634 848944 (Head Office switchboard)
telephone: 0800 783 4248
or visit:

or e-mail: [email protected]

LLOYDS TSB
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �10

Rate of interest paid: 3.25%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, we comply with the CAT standard which guarantees that the interest rate is no more than 2% below Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider with no penalty for withdrawal and no notice period.

For further information:
contact branch of Lloyds TSB
or visit:

NATIONAL SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS
Cash mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �10 and then minimum deposits of �10

Rate of interest paid: 4.15%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
Yes, our ISA is CAT standard so we guaranteed the interest rate will be no lower than 2% below the Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
pick up Cash mini ISA brochure at any Post Office
telephone: 0845 964 5000
or visit:

to download application form and send to:
Cash mini ISA
National Savings and Investments
Durham
DH99 1ZE

NAT WEST
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.00%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
It matches the NatWest base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
contact branch of NatWest

telephone: 0800 854 581
or visit:

NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY
Instant Access ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.00%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer to another provider with no penalties or loss of interest.

For further information:
contact branch of Nationwide
telephone: 0800 30 20 10
or visit:

NORTHERN ROCK
Instant Access Mini Cash ISA
30 Day Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1 (both)

Rate of interest paid:
Instant Access - 3.15%
30 Day - 4.45% (includes bonus of 0.55% payable for 6 months from opening of account)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
The Instant Access ISA rate is guaranteed to be no less than 2% below the Bank of England base rate.
The 30 Day ISA rate is guaranteed to be no less than 1% below the Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, the Instant Access ISA allows customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.
The 30 Day requires a 30 day notice period following a written request to transfer.

For further information:
contact branch of Northern Rock

telephone: 0845 601 5151
or visit:

to complete application form online and send to:
Elaine Smith
Northern Rock
E Savings
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 4PL

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
Instant Access ISA
60 Day ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid:
Instant Access 2.95%
60 Day ISA 3.30%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
The Instant Access ISA interest rate is guaranteed not to be lower than 2% below base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer to another provider with no penalties or loss of interest, 30 days notice is required for the Instant Access and 60 days notice required for withdrawals from the 60 Day ISA.

For further information:
contact branch of Royal Bank of Scotland

telephone: 0808 100 9510
or visit:

SAFEWAY ISA

Minimum opening balance: �10

Rate of interest paid: 4.5%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee never to fall less than 2% below Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, we allow customers to transfer to another provider for no charge.

For further information:
telephone Safeway on 0800 995 995

SCOTTISH WIDOWS BANK
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �10

Rate of interest paid: 4% (for 6 months; 3.5% thereafter)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
No.

For further information:
telephone: 0845 845 0829
write to:
Scottish Widows Bank
P O Box 12757
67 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8ZE
or visit:

SHEPSHED
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �100

Rate of interest paid: 4.40%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer. Sixty days notice must be given in writing or there is a loss of 60 days interest on the amount withdrawn.

For further information:
telephone: 01509 822000
write to:
Shepshed Building Society
Bull Ring
Shepshed
Leicestershire
LE12 9QD
or visit:

SMILE
Cash Mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid:
4.00%
4.25% (if Smile current account holder)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
No, but it is CAT Standard.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer with no loss of interest.

For further information:
visit:

TIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY
Mini Cash ISA

Minimum opening balance: �1

Rate of interest paid: 4.20%

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee that the rate of interest will be no lower than 2% below the Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer with no charge but written request and seven days notice is required.

For further information:
telephone: 0121 557 2551
e-mail: [email protected]
write to:
Tipton & Coseley Building Society
70 Owen Street
Tipton
DY4 8HG
or visit:

to download an application form

YORKSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY
ISA Plus - Cash Mini ISA
E-ISA - Online Cash Mini ISA

Minimum opening balance: �10 (both)

Rate of interest paid: 4.00% (both)

Do you offer any guarantee on the interest rate?
We guarantee that the rate of interest will not be more than 1% below the Bank of England base rate.

Can customers transfer to another ISA provider?
Yes, customers can transfer. Written request and seven days notice is required for ISA Plus. No notice required for E-ISA.

For further information:
contact branch of Yorkshire BS
telephone: 0845 1 200 100
write to:
Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire House
Yorkshire Drive
Bradford
BD5 8LJ
visit: