Important rules before you start
To protect your tax-free status and government bonus, there are a few regulations to keep in mind:
LISA to LISA only: You must transfer a Lifetime ISA to another Lifetime ISA. You cannot transfer a LISA to a standard Cash ISA (or vice versa) without incurring penalties or losing your LISA status.
Stocks & Shares LISAs: We accept transfers from Stocks & Shares LISAs, but they must be transferred as cash. Your current provider will sell your investments before sending the funds to us.
One LISA rule: You can only pay into one Lifetime ISA per tax year. If you have already paid into a LISA with another provider this tax year, you must transfer the entire balance to us.
You will need the Tembo app that can be downloaded from the App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android).
How to transfer a Lifetime ISA (LISA)
The process is handled securely through the Tembo app. Here is how to get started:
Open a Tembo Lifetime ISA: If you haven't already, download the app and open a new Lifetime ISA (Cash or Stocks & Shares).
Select 'Transfer': Tap the option "Transfer a Lifetime ISA to us".
Enter provider details: Choose your current provider from the list. Have your existing account number and balance ready.
Link your bank account: Connect a personal bank account in your name. We use this for identity verification via Open Banking.
Confirm & Sign: Review your details (Name, DOB) and accept the T&Cs.
Leave it to us: We will email you a copy of your transfer-in form and contact your old provider to initiate the move.
How long does the transfer take?
Lifetime ISA transfers typically take between 2 to 6 weeks.
Why so long?
Unlike standard bank transfers, LISA transfers require manual checks between providers to ensure your government bonus history is preserved correctly.
Status updates
We will keep you updated via the app, but don't worry if things seem quiet for a couple of weeks—this is normal!
Note: Delays can occur if personal details (like your address) don't match exactly between providers. Please ensure your Tembo profile is up to date.
📈 When do I start earning interest?
For Cash ISAs, you start earning interest from the date we receive the funds from your old provider. This is backdated once the transfer is fully complete.
🔍 Where is my Tembo Account Number?
You can find your new account number in the app under Settings > My Profile.
It will start with the letters NU (e.g.,
NU12345678).
Note: Tembo is a savings provider, not a bank. Your savings account does not have a traditional sort code and account number for direct bank transfers. You must deposit via the linked account in the app.
💳 Having trouble depositing?
If a deposit fails, try sending a smaller amount first. Banks often flag large initial payments to new payees as "unusual activity." A small successful payment helps verify the connection.