With 17 days to go, here are the best cash Isas

EASY ACCESS

With talk of the Bank of England next year increasing Bank Rate, which has kept savings rates low since 2009, many savers will be keen on Isas that allow penalty-free access.

But by the same token, banks are reluctant to provide this type of offer – instead, they would like to lock customers into today's miserable returns.

If you can afford to give notice when you want to make withdrawals, consider the Hanley Economic Building Society 60-day notice account at 1.85pc. The account is operated via the post. Transfers from old Isas are allowed.

If want immediate access, Santander's 1.6pc Direct Isa Saver is a good option. This allows you to transfer in existing Isa savings, too.

Nationwide pays 1.75pc on its Flexclusive Isa , but it is reserved for current account customers and does not accept transfers.

FIXED RATES

The Halifax 18-month Isa at 2pc stands out among a slew of fixed-rate launches last week. It will mature in September 2015. This, incidentally, could be just as the Bank of England makes its first interest rate movement. If so, you will be in a position to take advantage.

However, if the Bank decides to wait, you could encounter a scarcity of options. This is because Isa rates typically peak between February and May.

Halifax offers an added perk – its Savers Prize Draw. This is a lucky dip in which 1,000 prizes worth up to £100,000 are handed to savers every month. You need to put more than £5,000 into the account and register online.

The fixed-rate alternatives include the Halifax two-year account at 2.05pc and three-year account at 2.25pc . Nationwide last week launched identical two and three-year deals. Fixing for longer than this could be a poor option if the Bank of England does raise interest rates to nearly 3pc by 2017, as mooted last week.

An alternative to all these is the Santander 2.3pc two-year fix . This is available to its own 123 Current Account, Credit Card and wealthier "Select" customers. You can open a current account and apply for the Isa on the same day.

If you are set on maximising your interest right away, you will need to tie up your cash for longer. Skipton Building Society pays 3pc over five years – the best rate on a cash Isa anywhere. The account is an online-only offer, though.

All these accounts accept transfers in. Be aware that early withdrawals from fixed-rate accounts are nearly always subject to penalties. This could be up to a year's worth of interest. Check before you sign up.

There are a few other options if you are using only the 2013-14 cash Isa allowance of £5,760. The Coventry Building Society four-year fix at 2.75pc is at the top of the tables but does not accept transfers from old Isas.

Easy access might be a more sensible option for this type of saver. Here, Earl Shilton Building Society offers a 1.8pc account which can be operated by post. The account requires 90 days' notice. Stafford Railway Building Society offers a 1.75pc rate for new deposits, which has easy access via the post.

Leeds Building Society had offered a 1.9pc one-year deal, but took it off the market late last week. The next best offer is a 1.76pc rate from National Counties Building Society .

more