Is it just me or are the Banks specifically trying to delay ISA transfers. For the current year I have opened a Cash Isa with First Direct (3.1%) fixed with "instant access". I fill this with £3600 from my Saving held with First Direct. I also submitted transfer froms for two previous cash ISAs. Last years which was with HSBC and a now matured fixed rate cash ISA with Halifax.

The Hlaifax closed the account proptly on receiving the transfer forms and sent a nice standard letter saying they were sorry I was going elsewher and would I consider them in the future. The cheque for the transfer arrived prompty at First direct. I was told they had received it but basically the ISA team was "too busy" to credit it to my account. Oh and the ISA team were "too busy" to speak to me.

Well after shouting at them a bit my monwy was creditted to my account.

Last week there was no sign of the eISA transfer from HSBC (Shame on Money Supermarket this 1.75% paying account comed top of your list) so I rang them up. No its an internt account and I havd to e-mail them. I e-mailed them and got hte response they had 30 days to deal with this. I e-mailed them back and heard nothing.

SO I went into the

HSBC locally and after a bit of shouting at the bank manager this was actioned the same day. The check took 6 days to arrive at First Direct and no they don'r know when it will be paid into my account and they are "too busy " to speak to me.

Now I have not invested the maximum each year in Cash ISAs but those who have must have quite a lot of money in the stash. The investment has to be kept under £50k and because rates fall and the best rates are in new products the money has to be moved regularly to keep it working. Surely in the 10th year of the 2oth century it should not need a cheque to be sent but this should happen electronically and instantly?