This week's top ISAs explained

The best easy access cash ISA rates

Despite paying a slightly lower rate than last week, at 4.52% AER monthly, Trading 212’s Cash ISA Promo Rate remains in first place on our easy access ISA chart. This headline rate includes a 12-month, 0.67% bonus available to those who apply via Moneyfactscompare.co.uk by 15 December 2025. Available online or by mobile app, it requires a minimum opening deposit of £1 and follows flexible ISA rules – meaning any money withdrawn can be replaced in the same tax-year without impacting savers’ annual ISA allowance. Unlimited, penalty-free withdrawals are also permitted. It’s important savers check the provider’s partner banks before opening this account to make sure any cash deposited is covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Following a rate increase Plum’s Plum Cash ISA comes in second place on our easy access ISA chart this week, offering 4.49% AER monthly, inclusive of a 1.68% bonus for 12 months. This app-only ISA asks for an opening deposit of £1 or more and allows savers unlimited, penalty-free access to their money.

As a result, Moneybox falls from second to third place this week, continuing to pay 4.47% AER monthly on its Moneybox Cash ISA, including a 0.77%, 12-month bonus. However, a much lower rate of 0.75% AER applies from your fourth withdrawal in a year, or whenever the account balance drops below £500 (the minimum deposit needed to open this account). It can be opened and managed online or by mobile app but, before doing so, it’s important to check Moneybox’s partner banks to ensure your money will be covered by the FSCS.

The best fixed cash ISA rates

The top of our one-year fixed ISA chart has seen improvements this week with two accounts taking pole position.

After a rate increase, Investec Save’s 1-Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA now pays 4.30% AER on maturity. Only available online, this ISA can be opened with a minimum deposit of £1,000, which can be added to for a further seven days. Early access is allowed, however, only on account closure and subject to a 90-day loss of interest penalty.

Tembo Money’s Tembo Cash ISA – Fixed Rate joins Investec Save in first place, paying 4.30% AER on maturity. This app-only account can be opened with a smaller minimum deposit of £500 and allows an unlimited number of further additions. However, a  90-day loss of interest penalty applies for early access. Before opening savers should check the provider’s partner banks to make sure their cash will be protected under the FSCS.

Continuing to lead our two-year fixed ISA chart this week is Secure Trust Bank’s 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA (05.Jan.28), offering 4.17% AER yearly until it matures on 5 January 2028. This ISA can be opened online with a minimum opening deposit of £1,000, which can be added to for 30 more days via a nominated account. After initial funding, the account can be further managed over the phone or via mobile app. Should savers want to access their cash early, this is only available upon account closure and incurs a 180-day loss of interest penalty.

Castle Trust Bank claims top spot on our three- and five-year fixed ISA charts, with its three- and five-year Fixed Rate e-Cash ISAs – offering improved rates of 4.16% AER and 4.13% AER, respectively. These ISAs pay interest on maturity and, once opened online or by mobile app with a deposit of £1,000 or more, savers can add to their pots for a further 14 days. However, new customers should note they can only open either option via the website. Early access is allowed on account closure only, subject to a 270- and a 360-day loss of interest penalty, respectively. Eco-conscious savers may be pleased to know these ISAs are green products, meaning Castle Trust Bank will plant a tree when an account is opened and funded within 14 days.

Also topping our five-year fixed ISA chart is UBL UK with its 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA paying 4.13% AER on maturity, anniversary, quarterly or monthly. This ISA can be opened online, in branch, by post or mobile app, with the additional option to manage it over the phone after funding with a slightly more substantial minimum opening deposit of £2,000. Savers will be able to make further contributions for 10 days, while early access is on account closure only and subject to a slightly higher 365-day loss of interest penalty.

The best notice cash ISA rates

There’s been no change to the leading accounts on our notice ISA charts this week.

Harpenden BS’s Online 14 Days’ Notice Account (Issue 1) continues to pay 3.79% AER, topping our up to 30-day notice ISA chart. This online-only ISA requires a minimum opening deposit of £1,000. While further contributions are allowed without restriction, early access isn’t permitted so the 14-day notice period must be served before making a withdrawal via a nominated account.

In first place on our up to 60-day notice ISA chart is Tipton & Coseley BS with its 60 Day Notice ISA (Issue 2) (Mobile App account) still offering 4.10% AER yearly on a minimum opening deposit of £1,000. Once funded via mobile app, there’s the additional option to manage this account over the phone. While further contributions are permitted, they must be made via a nominated account (as must withdrawals). If savers want to access their cash early, this is allowed, however, it will incur a 60-day loss of interest penalty.

The provider’s 60 Day Notice ISA (Issue 2) also pays 4.10% AER yearly and shares many of the same requirements. The main difference is this account can be opened in branch or by post (with further management over the phone). Furthermore, it should be noted that all withdrawals must be made via cheque.