UBL's (United Bank UK) best buy fixed rate cash ISA that I have been tracking or a while has had its interest rate slashed by a whopping 23% on the 10th of May 2016 to a mere pittance of just 1.7% for a 5 year fix down from 2.2%, with similar deep cuts on other fixed terms as the following table illustrates.

1 Year 1.20%
2 Year 1.30%
3 Year 1.40%
5 Year 1.70%

And here is a history of the 5 year fixed rate that I have been tracking since January with a view to transferring my own maturing ISA's into.

Jan 2016	2.55%
Feb 2016	2.55%
8th April 2016	2.33%
18th April 2016	2.2%
9th May 2016	2.2%
10th May 2016	1.7%

What's notable is that the rates were high into the start of the tax year at 2.33% when new tax year customers would start to contemplate opening a new ISA or transferring existing maturing ISA's. Either way UBL plays the same game as most other banks do by enticing savers to open an account and then cut rates within a few weeks, as many will have opened accounts before the rate is cut but may end up with the lower rate anyway which in this case would amount to a huge difference in interest earned of 0.5% or 23% less than 2.2%!

Urgent Action for UBL Fixed Rate Cash ISA Savers

If you have opened an Cash ISA during the past week then before you make your deposit contact them to double check the interest rate they will apply which depends on whether they take the date of deposit or date of receipt of applications as the cut off date. If the rate has dropped then do not deposit funds into it and ensure you notify UBL of having changed your mind.

If you have made a ISA transfer application to UBL during the past 2 weeks then you need to ensure that your funds have LEFT your bank before the 10th of May 2016, so even if the funds have left your account as recently as say the 9th of May, given that it only takes a couple of hours for funds to arrive then they should have reached UBL in time for the rate change. If your funds have NOT left your existing ISA then contact UBL straightaway to confirm the rate that will be applied to your account and if it has dropped notify them that you have changed your mind due to the severe cut in interest rates.

If by the time you receive your paperwork you discover that the rate given is not as expected then, you have a short time window (usually 14 days) to notify UBL that you have changed your mind and seek to transfer your Cash ISA elsewhere without penalty, after 14 days you could be hit with a huge penalty which for a 5 year ISA is 1 year interest charge! i.e. you would get back 1.7% less than you put in.

UBL alternatives

Punjab bank offers 2.5% for 5 years but accounts can only be opened at a branch.

State Bank of India 2.1% for 5 years, accepts transfers in.

Nationwide 2% - allows transfers in.

The bottom line is that this is what savers are forced to put up with each new tax year, banks playing the game of hook the depositor then slash the rates, they all do it.

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By Nadeem Walayat

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk

Nadeem Walayat has over 25 years experience of trading derivatives, portfolio management and analysing the financial markets, including one of few who both anticipated and Beat the 1987 Crash. Nadeem's forward looking analysis focuses on UK inflation, economy, interest rates and housing market. He is the author of five ebook's in the The Inflation Mega-Trend and Stocks Stealth Bull Market series that can be downloaded for Free.

Nadeem is the Editor of The Market Oracle, a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication that presents in-depth analysis from over 1000 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets, thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction. http://www.marketoracle.co.uk

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities.

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