ISA transfer explained

Thinking about transferring your ISA savings? You’re in the right place.

Exclusive offer for members who joined on or before 12 March 2025

Free £50 John Lewis gift card if you pay at least £10,000 by ISA transfer(s) from another provider(s) into a new fixed rate Cash ISA from our range.

18+, UK residents only. Excludes ISAs in our maturity range. Request your ISA transfer by the last paying in date as detailed in the account T&Cs. Request must also be made before the offer is withdrawn, which may be anytime before 9am on 8 May 2025, and without notice. Charges from your existing provider(s) may apply. Gift Card sent within 60 days of the last paying in date. Terms and Conditions apply.

Fixed Rate Cash ISAs

An ISA transfer is just a way of moving your savings from one Individual Savings Account (ISA) to another. We’re here to help you through this process, so you can manage your savings with confidence.

ISA transfer essentials

There are a few key things you might like to know before you get started. Plus, you can check out the ISA Transfer Rules section further down for a few extra details.

Transferring from another provider to a Skipton ISA

How to transfer your existing ISA from another provider to a Skipton Cash ISA.

Transferring between Skipton ISAs

Find out what you need to do to transfer your existing Skipton ISA to another Skipton Cash ISA.

How to transfer an ISA?

Transferring from another provider to Skipton 

Here’s how to transfer your ISA from another provider to a Skipton Cash ISA:

  • The first thing you’ll need to do is open a Skipton Cash ISA. You can do this online, through our app, by post, over the phone or by visiting your local branch.
  • If you open your ISA online, you can request a transfer as part of the setup.
  • If you already have a Skipton Cash ISA, simply login to Skipton Online, select the account, and choose the ‘ISA Transfer In’ option.
  • If you plan to visit one of our branches to set-up a transfer, you’ll need to fill out a Transfer Authority Form.
  • If you’re transferring from a Stocks & Shares ISA, you’ll need to complete a Stocks & Shares ISA transfer Form.

Transferring between Skipton ISAs

Already have a Skipton ISA and want to move to another one? Here’s what you need to know:

  • To get started, open a new Skipton Cash ISA. You can do this through Skipton Online, via our app, by post, over the phone or by visiting your local branch.
  • If you open your new Skipton ISA online, you can request a transfer as part of the setup.
  • If you plan to visit one of our branches to set-up a transfer, you’ll need to fill out a Transfer Revalidation Form.
  • Just so you know, if you’re transferring an existing Skipton Cash ISA into a new Skipton Cash ISA, we can only transfer the full balance – we don’t offer partial transfers. 

ISA transfer explained

Are you thinking about transferring your ISA? Find out how you can transfer your ISA here, as well as the information you need to know about saving tax-free.
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Frequently Asked Questions

There isn’t necessarily a “best time” to transfer an ISA. It depends on your individual circumstances and goals. However, here are some factors to consider if you’re thinking about transferring your ISA:

Interest rates

If you find an ISA offering with a better interest rate than the one you currently have, transferring may be beneficial. It could be a good idea to regularly compare rates to see if a switch makes sense.

Account features

Are you looking for more options, or a specific account feature such as flexibility to withdraw? Transferring ISAs may be a good option while keeping your tax-free benefits.

Changes to your goals

If your financial goals change, you might need a different type of ISA. A transfer allows you to switch to a more suitable option.

Please note: Some ISAs, such as our Fixed Rate Cash ISAs and Lifetime ISA have an interest penalty if you transfer money out before the fixed term ends.

Important to know: If you intend on transferring money out of a Lifetime ISA into another type of ISA before the age of 60, you will normally have to pay a 25% government withdrawal charge. This would mean you would get back less than you paid in.

While the exact time frame depends on the type of ISA, most ISA transfers typically take between one to four weeks to complete. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Transfers into a Skipton Cash ISA from another Cash ISA usually take up to 7 business days.

  • Transfers from Stocks and Shares ISAs, Innovative Finance ISAs and Lifetime ISAs take approximately 30 calendar days.

Here at Skipton Building Society, we work hard to ensure a smooth and efficient transfer process for your ISAs. We’ll keep you informed throughout – and answer any questions you may have.

If you’re considering transferring money from one type of ISA to another, the amount you can transfer depends on the ISA type:

Cash ISAs

The annual ISA allowance doesn’t apply to transfers for Cash ISAs. This means you can transfer the entirety of your existing Cash ISA balance from your current provider to your new one, if they’re offering a better deal.

Lifetime ISAs (LISAs)

Transfers into LISAs follow different rules. If you transfer the previous tax year’s savings into a LISA from a different type of ISA (for example a Cash ISA), it will count towards the annual £4,000 LISA allowance. But transfers from one LISA to another don’t count towards the annual £4,000 LISA limit.

You can transfer ISA savings from one ISA to another without affecting your ISA allowance, as long as the terms of both accounts allow it. Depending on the transfer, you may be able to transfer some or all of your account balance:

 

Transfers into a Skipton Cash ISA:

Current year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISAFrom another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull or partial transfers allowed

Previous year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISAFrom another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull or partial transfers allowed

Transfers out of a Skipton fixed rate Cash ISA:

Current year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISAFrom another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull balance transfers only

Previous year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISATo another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull balance transfers only

Transfers out of a Skipton variable rate Cash ISA:

Current year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISATo another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull balance transfers only

Previous year's ISA subscriptions

From a Skipton Cash ISATo another provider
Full balance transfers onlyFull or partial transfers allowed

For the majority of Cash ISAs, you won’t lose any interest that has been built-up when transferring an ISA.

However, here’s some things you should know:

Easy Access Cash ISA Transfers:

For most types of Cash ISA, your existing provider will typically pay you any interest earned up to the day the transfer takes place. You’ll then start earning the rate of interest on your new ISA from the day it transfers over.

Fixed Rate ISA Transfers:

Some Fixed Rate ISAs may charge an early exit penalty if you transfer or withdraw your savings before the fixed term ends. This penalty could eat into the interest you’ve earned, and you could get back less than you paid in. Always check the account terms and conditions of your Fixed Rate ISA before carrying out a transfer.

Tax treatment of investments is based on personal circumstances. Tax rules may change in future.

Free advice on your money?

If you’re not sure the best way to save for your future goals, we’re here to help you. With a My Money Review, our Savings Specialists can look at your finances and advise you on ways we could help you make more of your money. Best of all, this service is completely free.

Book your My Money Review
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Know your ISA

Member ISA Transfer Offer

These terms and conditions apply to those eligible members who have held a Skipton mortgage or savings account since 12/03/2025. Our Member ISA Transfer Offer of a £50 John Lewis gift card is for qualifying ISA transfers of at least £10,000 from another ISA provider into a new fixed rate Cash ISA with Skipton. This offer is valid until it is withdrawn, which may be anytime before 9am on 8 May 2025, and without notice, see condition 4.2. 

Where we refer to ‘gift card’ this can also mean ‘e-gift card’. See condition 3.4 for more information.

1 Eligibility

1.1 To qualify for this offer you must:

• Hold a continuous membership with Skipton Building Society (a Savings Share account or Mortgage) starting on or before 12/03/2025 with a minimum balance of £1.

• Be eligible to hold a fixed rate Cash ISA, please see the fixed rate Cash ISA terms and conditions.

• Open a new fixed rate Cash ISA with Skipton Building Society and pay in at least £10,000 into the fixed rate Cash ISA by ISA transfer(s), from another ISA provider(s).

- Your ISA transfer in request must be submitted before the last paying in date for your Skipton fixed rate Cash ISA. The last paying in date is as outlined in the summary box of the account terms and conditions.

- Your ISA transfer of at least £10,000 must be into one fixed rate Cash ISA product from our range. The minimum £10,000 transfer amount cannot be split across multiple Skipton ISAs.

• Transfer in at least £10,000 in total, even if you are transferring more than one ISA from other providers into a Skipton fixed rate Cash ISA.

• Continue to hold the qualifying account with at least £10,000 on the date we make the voucher payment.

1.2 Qualification for the offer is based on the value of the transferred ISA(s) on completion of the transfer in.

1.3 Fixed rate Cash ISAs from our maturity range do not qualify for this offer.

2 Making an ISA Transfer in request

2.1 You must open the fixed rate Cash ISA you wish to transfer funds into before requesting the ISA transfer.

2.2 If you withdraw funds from your existing ISA(s) to pay into your Skipton fixed rate Cash ISA without using the ISA transfer process, your funds will lose their tax-free status and you will not be eligible for the Member ISA Transfer Offer.

2.3 For details on how to request an ISA transfer please see the account terms and conditions.

2.4 Charges from your existing ISA provider(s) may apply.

2.5 We are not responsible for any delay by your existing provider in processing the transfer.

3 Administration and gift card details

3.1 This offer is provided by Skipton Building Society and administered by The Marketing Lounge Partnership (MLP), The Cow Shed, Walnut Tree Farm, Lower Stretton, Cheshire, WA4 4PG.

3.2 If you meet the eligibility criteria (see condition 1.1), you are eligible for one £50 John Lewis gift card.

• You may choose to open multiple Skipton fixed rate Cash ISAs however, gift cards are limited to one per member.

3.3 You will receive your gift card after we have received the funds from your existing ISA provider(s).

• Gift cards will be distributed within 10 business days of 31 May 2025.

3.4 If your fixed rate Cash ISA can be managed online, you will receive your £50 John Lewis e-gift card by email. If your fixed rate Cash ISA cannot be managed online, you will receive your £50 John Lewis gift card by post.

We will use the email address and correspondence address held on our system for the distribution of your gift card or e-gift card.

3.5 Once your e-gift card has been distributed, you will have 60 days to visit the link in your email to reveal your unique e-gift card code.

If you do not reveal your unique e-gift card code within the 60 days, it will expire. If you have not revealed your unique e-gift card code within the 60 days, we may not issue another one.

After you have revealed your unique e-gift card code, you have a further 30 days to view the unique e-gift card code through the link in your email.

3.6 The gift card and any use of it (including validity period and resale instructions or restrictions) is subject to John Lewis’ terms and conditions, which you can find here: www.johnlewis.com/customer-services/shopping-with-us/terms-and-conditions

4 Additional information

4.1 The Member ISA Transfer Offer is not transferable.

4.2 We reserve the right to withdraw, alter, extend, or replace this Member ISA Transfer Offer at any time and without notice.

4.3 If you have requested an ISA transfer to Skipton Building Society after the Member ISA Transfer Offer starts and we subsequently withdraw the Member ISA Transfer Offer before the ISA transfer completes, you will be eligible for the gift card as long as you meet the eligibility in condition 1.1.

4.4 We reserve the right to not provide a gift card where we suspect or are made aware that this offer is being abused.

4.5 Before opening an account to take advantage of this offer, we strongly advise for your own benefit and protection that you read all the applicable terms and conditions. This includes these terms, which apply in addition to our Savings Account Terms and Conditions and account terms and conditions (which are both available on request or via our website). This is because you will be legally bound by them, and we intend to rely on them. If you do not understand any point, please ask for further information.

4.6 In certain circumstances, for example, where we require further evidence of your identity, you may be asked to return additional documentation to support your account opening application. Please allow sufficient time to complete the application process.

5 Your personal data

5.1 Skipton Building Society is the data controller. We are responsible for the information we collect, hold, share, and use about you.

5.2 Prior to receipt of your gift card, we will provide MLP (see condition 3.1) with your name and relevant contact details. We will also securely share with them your customer reference number. This information is required for the administration of the Member ISA Transfer Offer, including the distribution of gift cards.

5.3 For more information on how we use your data: who it is shared with and why, how long it is kept, your rights and how to exercise them, visit our full Data Privacy Notice online, ask in branch or call us on 0345 608 0783 for a copy.

What to do if you want to transfer your Skipton ISA to another provider

If you're thinking of leaving us, we'd be sorry to see you go. Feel free to call us on 0345 608 0783 to chat through your options.

If you would like to transfer your Skipton Cash ISA to another provider, you’ll need to contact your new provider. They’ll handle the process and contact us to carry out the transfer. We aim to process any request to transfer within seven business days from the day we receive the request from the new provider. 

You’ll have to pay an interest penalty if you transfer out of a Skipton Fixed Rate Cash ISA during its fixed term. Your account terms and conditions outline this penalty. This may mean you may get back less than you paid in. 

You're likely to need to provide account information to the ISA provider you're transferring to. Here are the details to share: 

Account holder name: 
Skipton Building Society 

Sort code: 
20-78-91 

Account number: 
70798924 

Reference number: 
your 9-digit Skipton account number 

If you withdraw any funds from your Skipton Cash ISA without following the ISA transfer process, these funds will lose their tax-free ISA status.