How to transfer a Cash ISA

If you are wondering how to transfer an ISA, this guide explains how a cash ISA transfer works, how long it can take, and how much you can transfer. We cover moving your ISA from one bank to another and transferring into a Shawbrook Cash ISA.

If you withdraw money from an ISA into a non-ISA, the money will lose its tax-free status.

In addition, if the money was deposited in the same tax-year, it may reduce how much money you can pay back into an ISA during that tax-year given the Annual ISA Allowance of £20,000.  

Transferring from one ISA to another ISA ensures you maintain ISA tax-free status benefits.  

Flexible ISAs are the exception. A flexible ISA allows the withdrawal and replacement of money during the same tax year, without affecting your Annual ISA allowance year. Shawbrook does not offer flexible ISAs.   

Transferring an ISA from another provider to a Shawbrook ISA

To transfer an existing ISA from another provider to a new Shawbrook ISA you will need complete the online ISA application form. Requests to transfer cash ISA funds can be made at the same time as your initial account application. Transfer requests received after your initial account application may be refused.

If your provider is not part of the electronic transfer scheme, a manual transfer form will be required. This form should be used once you’ve opened your Shawbrook Cash ISA to complete the transfer process. You can view the full list of providers in the Electronic ISA transfers Scheme, in the 'Transfer an ISA FAQs' section below. 

As part of your application process, we will capture the details of your current ISA. We will then work with your existing ISA provider to complete the transfer for you, and you'll keep your ISA tax-free status benefits.

At Shawbrook, we accept transfers from Cash ISAs or Stocks and Shares ISAs. Cash ISA transfers typically take 4 to 5 working days but can take up to 15 working days. Stocks and Shares ISA can take up to 30 calendar days.  

Following the Autumn Budget 2025 and an update from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the rules on ISA transfers are changing. From the 2027/2028 tax year, if you are under the age of 65, you will no longer be able to transfer money from a Stocks and Shares ISA or an Innovative Finance ISA into a Cash ISA. 

Shawbrook ISA maturity

When a Shawbrook Fixed Rate Cash ISA matures, you’ll have a number of options for your balance. You can manage this by logging in and following the online maturity process. 

• Choose another Shawbrook savings account - You can transfer all or part of your balance to another product in our range of fixed rate, easy access and notice accounts – including ISAs and non-ISAs.

• Transfer to another ISA provider - You can transfer all or part of your balance to another ISA provider. If you transfer your balance to another ISA, the tax-free status will continue.

• Withdraw your balance - You can withdraw all or part of your balance to your linked current account.  

It’s important to remember that withdrawing any balance from an ISA to your linked current account or transferring money from an ISA to a non-ISA will mean losing the tax-free status on that amount.

We’ll contact you before your account matures to outline your options, including how to transfer to a new product with us.

If you don’t tell us what you’d like to do, your balance will remain as ‘matured funds’ until we receive your instruction. Your account number will stay the same, but your interest rate will change to the applicable matured funds rate. You can withdraw your money at any time, but you won’t be able to add any additional funds.

If you decide to transfer your ISA to another provider, your funds will remain in the matured account until the transfer is completed. Cash ISA transfers can take up to 15 working days.

Transferring from one Shawbrook ISA to another Shawbrook ISA

To transfer your Shawbrook ISA to another Shawbrook ISA please contact our friendly Savings Team by phone, or log in and send us a secure message and we will complete the transfer. 

Cash ISA transfers can take up to 15 working days to complete.

Transferring a Shawbrook ISA to another provider

If you want to transfer your Shawbrook ISA to a new provider, you need to follow their process for transferring ISAs to them. The information your new ISA provider asks for may vary, but in general you will need to provide the sort code and account number of your Shawbrook ISA.

Your account number - You can find your account number by logging in to your account. Your account number is displayed on the home screen next to your account name. 

Your sort code - Our sort code is 16-58-73. This is the same sort code used on all Shawbrook savings accounts.  

Other references - Your new provider may ask you for information like a roll number or reference number. We don't use Roll numbers or reference numbers, so you can leave this blank if your new provider asks for it.

What happens if I ask another provider to transfer my Shawbrook ISA before it matures?

If you ask another provider to transfer your Shawbrook ISA before it matures, the transfer will not begin until your ISA reaches maturity.

Until your ISA reaches its maturity date, your account remains open with Shawbrook. 

This means:

• You may continue to receive maturity reminders
• When your ISA reaches maturity, it will move into a matured funds cash ISA, even if we’ve received a transfer instruction. It will stay in matured funds until we transfer the money to your new provider.

Cash ISA transfers can take up to 15 working days from when the transfer begins (after your ISA has matured), not from when you first requested the transfer.

If we’ve confirmed that your ISA transfer has been accepted, you can safely ignore any automated Shawbrook maturity reminders you receive.

What happens next  
Your new provider will manage the transfer, confirm next steps and let you know if they have any questions. They'll also confirm when the transfer is complete. 

Partial Transfers 
You can make partial transfers of funds that were deposited in previous tax years. Funds deposited in the current tax year must be transferred in full. If your ISA contains both current and previous year contributions, you will need to transfer the current year’s funds in full, but you can leave previous year funds in your Shawbrook ISA or transfer them separately. 

Key ISA Dates  

The ISA year runs parallel to the tax year, which always starts on 6 April and ends on 5 April the following year. The dates for your annual ISA allowances are the same.  

It is a good idea to keep these dates in mind if you’re considering opening an ISA or topping up an existing account so you can make the most of the tax-free allowance.  

For more information on key ISA dates, visit our ISA Deadline page. 

Early Exit Charges 

If you are wanting to transfer money out a Fixed Term ISA, you should check if there are any early exit charges first. Charges differ depending on the provider and the terms of your agreement. 

Below is a summary of the early exit charges applicable for the Fixed Rate Cash ISAs at Shawbrook. 

• 18 Month Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 90 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount (available for maturities only)
•  1 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 90 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount  
• 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 180 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount  
• 3 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 270 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount  
• 5 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 360 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount  
• 7 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA: loss of 360 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount 

Please consider your individual circumstance but it may be best to wait until the end of your current ISAs term before transferring to avoid charges. 

• Easy Access Cash ISA: If you have an Easy Access Cash ISA, you won’t be charged an early exit fee for withdrawals.