Sorry, Referendum Question Again, But I'm Getting Worried

[jourdain2]

Hi, my savings are invested in 'Intelligent Finance' (Scottish based). They went there just before I moved to France in 2002 when it was a good rate and telephone-operated. For years the interest has been rubbish, but I can't open other accounts because I live abroad. The sum is well under the Govt. guarantee of £80K, but it's all I have.

At long last I have sold my house in France. Signing day is 22/9/14 and I will receive a decent sized cheque (over £80K) which I need to transfer to UK in order to buy a house there.

I am not only very disinclined to send this money to Intelligent Finance, but would like to see my savings safe. Problem is that, apart from this account, I only have a Barclay's current account in UK and I'll be stuck over here for several weeks at least (possibly until early Nov.) because of OH's state of health. Opinions please on whether I should take the risk and transfer it all to my single current account - or can I open a deposit account somewhere with the guarantee that I'll be UK resident a.s.a.p. now that I have sold the house?

[ubasses]

There is no reason that they would not be safe, they are part of Lloyds Banking group. the referendum is only to decide whether Scotland will remain in the UK or not. If they voted yes, nothing will happen for another year, there is too much to sort out.

[jourdain2]

Thank you ubasses.

[Ellipsis]

For maximum safety, top your IF account up to £85K and put the rest in your Barclays account. You'll lose a bit of interest that way, but all your money will be protected until such time as you can open more accounts and move it around.

[pixie373]

I would do as ellipsis suggests. Once it's in your Barclays account, you could transfer it to a higher interest ESavings account online?

[ToraToraTora]

get the max in premium bonds, £60k and put the rest in he best account you can get. The bonds will produce better than interest returns and you may get luck with a larger prize. The The Whole currency/bank following a "yes" etc thing in Scotland is uncertain but wait for the actual yes before doing anything rash.

[jourdain2]

Thank you all very much indeed. It helps a lot to hear other ideas instead of me sitting here and going round and round in my head. Lots of excellent options!:)