I have an ISA from last year. I'd like to move it but where to?

[HarrietJ0nes]

I don't understand them. I went with the MSE recommendation last year but am confused over the transferring bit. Some allow and some don't and some don't say!

I'm not likely to be able to add much to it so it's pretty much going to be as it is now.

Halifax Cash ISA 4.25% fixed for 3 years. Accepts transfers in of your old ISA.

Think through what you want to do with the money. Do you need to be able to get at it straight away? Within one month? Or are you sure you don't need it for at least 1 / 2 / 3 years?

Then work you way through the list of MSE recommendations to find one that

a) doesn't tie you money up longer than suits you (if you might need it in a hurry go for an instant access one, if you're sure you won't need it before this time next year consider 1 year fixed rate and so on.) This is an important decision.
b) Will allow you to transfer in previous years' ISA - if it isn't clear on MSE double check on the provider's small print via the MSE links.
c) Doesn't carry any other restriction that don't suit you - e.g. only available to people who have a current account at that bank

Then follow through the application process for that account - either online, in branch or whatever. It will ask for the details of the ISA(s) you want to transfer.

If the account has a bonus that only applies for a certain time, make sure you check and consider moving again when the bonus expires. Likewise if it;s variable rate check the rate from time to time and if it's gone down a lot look at transfering again.

Personally even though I don't expect to have to get at my ISA money for a long time I wouldn't tie it up for 3 full years, as although that's better than I could get for instant access now, if interest rates go up within those three years there may be better deals. That's a matter of weighing up the bird in the hand (a certain 4.25%) and the two in the bush (something like 3.3% now, maybe able to get more this time next year) so it's a personal decision.

We have other savings but I wouldn't want more than 2 months notice.

Shop around for ISAs using comparison sites like moneysupermarket.com. If your current ISA is making a reasonable amount of interest you may decide it's not worth switching to a different provider for the sake of an extra 0.25% or whatever. If you can get a much better offer for an instant access ISA and transfer your existing ISA in, go for that. If you find one that pays a good rate of interest but doesn't allow funds to be transferred in there's nothing to stop you keeping the old one, not putting any more into it & opening a new one for the 2012/13 tax year.

We have found Nationwide over the past few years to be very simple to use, a pay consistently pretty good rates.