IG has unveiled a New Year promotion offering UK investors the chance to earn a boosted 7.5% AER on cash balances, positioning the deal among the highest headline cash rates currently available from a mainstream investment platform.
What’s IG interest offer?
IG’s interest promotion runs from 1 to 16 January 2026 and is open to UK-resident individuals who place their first ever trade with IG. Eligible accounts include a UK General Investment Account, Stocks and Shares ISA or SIPP.
Once a qualifying trade is made, IG will pay 7.5% variable AER on cash balances of up to £10,000, across all eligible accounts combined, until 31 March 2026. Any cash above £10,000 continues to earn IG’s standard interest rate, currently 3.75% AER.
Can you really get over 7% on your cash?
Yes, but only within clearly defined limits. The boosted rate applies solely to the first £10,000 of cash and only during the “Boost Period”. Interest is calculated daily and paid in line with IG’s standard interest terms. The rate is variable, meaning IG can change it at any time.
What’s the catch?
This is not a no-strings savings account. To keep earning the boosted rate each month, clients must show some level of investment activity. That means having an active Smart Portfolio, holding an open share position, or placing at least one buy or sell trade during the month.
The offer is only available to new IG traders, excludes clients introduced via third parties, and cannot be combined with other promotions.
How to get 7.5% interest
To qualify, you must open an eligible IG account, fund it, and place your first trade between 1 and 16 January 2026. If you meet the criteria, the boosted interest is applied automatically; there’s no separate application process. As always, IG reminds investors that all trading involves risk and that the value of investments can fall as well as rise.
- Related guide: Compare the best interest rates on uninvested cash here.
Separately, IG has confirmed that it will remove its £24 quarterly custody fee from 8 January 2026. The fee has previously been charged to investment account holders who make fewer than three trades per quarter. Its removal means customers will no longer face charges for holding investments or trading infrequently.
Under the updated fee structure, UK investors will benefit from:
No quarterly custody or inactivity fees, regardless of trading activity
Commission-free trading on all shares and ETFs
No platform or account maintenance charges
No deposit or withdrawal fees
Michael Healy, UK Managing Director at IG, said: “We want to give customers the most comprehensive low-cost investing and trading experience on the market and these changes will help us to do just this.
“By offering a more competitive return on uninvested cash for new customers, and removing inactivity fees, we can provide more value to investors who want to take their time over their next move and invest at their own pace. This is just one of many updates we’ll be making this year to make the IG platform more accessible and attractive to investors.”
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