The CAT standard refers to voluntary benchmarks laid down by the Government for Charges, Access and Terms to which ISA managers may choose to apply to their ISA. The aim of the CAT standard is to ensure that an ISA investment is fairly priced, with decent terms and conditions and easy access.

CAT marks will represent certain standards for each category of investment. These are:

Charges >> No charges at all.
Cash ISA >> Access >> A minimum deposit/withdrawal no greater than £10, withdrawal must be allowed within 7 working days or less.
Terms >> Interest rate no lower than 2% points below base rate, must follow base rate increase within one calendar month.
Charges >> Annual charge no more than 3%, no other charges.
Insurance ISA >> Access >> Minimum premium no greater than £25 per month or £250 per annum.
Terms >> Surrender value must reflect the value of the underlying assets and be at least equal to premiums paid after 3 years.
Charges >> Annual charge of no more than 1% of net asset value, no other charges.
Stocks & Shares ISA >> Access >> Minimum savings of no more than £50 per month or £500 per year.
Terms >> Can invest in shares, authorised unit trusts, oeics or certain investment trusts (e.g. not split capital trusts), units and shares must be single priced at mid market price.

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