Account selector
Want a hand in deciding which account is right for you, then use this handy 'decision tree'. Whilst we can't advise you on the best account for you, and if you're not sure which account would suit you best we'd recommend you seek independent financial advice, follow these steps to see which of our account services fit your responses.
Decision tree
Suggested account
An Investment Club dealing account is specifically designed to make it easy for your Club to manage its investments.
Based on our award-winning dealing services, it is operated by your Club's nominated investor, with the option for online or telephone trading. And with the capacity to input trades outside of market hours, you can make your decisions at your meetings and place your trades there and then.
Individual Club members can also have access to our free tools and information to help them research investment opportunities – just register free as a member of Selftrade then set up watchlists to mirror the Club's portfolio, keep an eye of target shares or try out different strategies.
What's more, when your Club introduces individual members to open their own trading account through our 'Introduce a Friend' offer, it will earn £50 for each account introduced – and the member gets £50 added to their account too.
Our Company Dealing account provides a flexible, straight-forward way to trade across a wide range of investments. It operates in exactly the same way as our other award-winning services and offers the same value for money trading.
The account is operated by two authorised signatories, both of whom can have the capacity to place orders online or by phone.
Individual Savings Account (ISA) - tax-efficient investing with no Capital Gains Tax and no additional income tax liability. Because of the tax benefits, you'll need to be resident in the UK for tax purposes to apply for an ISA and there are some limits on where you invest, and on how much you can subscribe each year.
An ISA does not restrict your flexibility to access your money whenever you want. You can withdraw investments from an ISA at any time and, so long as you have scope within your annual ISA allowance, can add back money at a later time in the same tax year, or use your allowance afresh in the next tax year.
Also worth considering from a tax perspective is a SIPP Dealing Account. Here you get tax relief on your contributions, but the price you pay is that, in general terms, you can't get access to the money until you retire – slightly at odds with your desire to have access whenever you want. But it might suit for a part of your investments – indeed, it's generally seen as good practice to keep some of your investments readily available in case of need.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
It is generally good practice to have some of your investment, and cash, available in case of short-term need, so you might also want to look at an ISA too. Here your investments are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and from any further liability to income tax, but you can withdraw them as you need, making for a tax-effective way of investing with flexibility. Do bear in mind however that the current tax allowances, and the basis on which they are applied, may change in the future, and that once you withdraw investments from your ISA you can't then replace them in that same tax year unless you've scope within your annual ISA allowance.
Dealing account – a personal account that's ideal for day-to-day trading activity and ad hoc investments, with access to our full range of available investments. Trade as much, or as little, as you like.
Capital Gains Tax would be payable on gains above your annual Capital Gains Tax allowance, and although a 10% 'tax credit' will have been deducted at source from dividends received from your investments, you'll still be liable for higher rate tax. So for higher-rate tax payers in particular you might want to consider an ISA. (Do bear in mind that the current tax allowances, and the basis on which they are applied, may change in the future.)
An ISA doesn't restrict your flexibility - you can withdraw investments from your ISA at any time, although once you've done so you can't then replace them unless you've scope within your annual ISA allowance.
Dealing account – a personal account that's ideal for day-to-day trading activity and ad hoc investments, with access to our full range of available investments. Trade as much, or as little, as you like. Options include having your account in joint name, or adding an account designation, for your child perhaps.
As you're not planning on needing access to your investments until retirement, it's also worth looking at a SIPP Dealing account.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
You might not want to have all of your investments tied up that long – generally you can only withdraw money an investments on retirement - but the tax advantages available plus your hopes not to call on the funds until then, could make it worthwhile for some of your assets.
Dealing account – a personal account that's ideal for day-to-day trading activity and ad hoc investments, with access to our full range of available investments. Trade as much, or as little, as you like. Options include having your account in joint name, or adding an account designation, for your child perhaps.
Capital Gains Tax would be payable on gains above your annual Capital Gains Tax allowance, and although basic rate tax will have been deducted at source from dividends received from your investments, you'll still be liable for higher rate tax. So for higher-rate tax payers in particular you might want to consider an ISA. (Do bear in mind that the current tax allowances, and the basis on which they are applied, may change in the future.)
An ISA doesn't restrict your flexibility - you can withdraw investments from your ISA at any time, although once you've done so you can't then replace them unless you've scope within your annual ISA allowance. So it's worth considering taking advantage of the tax- effectiveness of an ISA.
Conversely, a SIPP dealing account can only be drawn on at retirement -given you want to be able to have access to your investments at any time, this would not be suitable. If however you are contributing to a personal pension, it could be worth looking at a SIPP as you'd have direct control over your pension investments and make sure you've not too much overlap with other investments or assets you hold.
Although you're not sure whether the tax-advantages are important or not, where they fit in with your other plans it's generally makes sense to take advantage of them. Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
Its generally good practice to have some of your investment, and cash, available in case of short-term need, so you might also want to look at an ISA too. Here your investments are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and from any further liability to income tax, but you can withdraw them as you need, making for a tax-effective way of investing with flexibility. Do bear in mind however that the current tax allowances, and the basis on which they are applied, may change in the future, and that once you withdraw investments from your ISA you can't then replace them in that same tax year unless you've scope within your annual ISA allowance.
Designated dealing account.
Self-Select Child Trust Fund for eligible children born on or after 1 September 2002.
Designated dealing account for children born before 1 September 2002.
There is no specific option that enables you to take advantage of your child's tax allowances and gives you access whenever you want. However, if making use of tax efficiencies is the more important factor, you may have two options, depending upon when your child was born.
Child Trust Fund Account. - every eligible child born after 1st September 2002 is entitled to have a Child Trust Fund - the scheme introduced by the government to encourage longer-term savings for children. Assets are held in the account until the child is 18, although they take control of the account from age 16.
We offer two types of CTF: self-select Shares account (non stakeholder) and an index-tracking Stakeholder account.
The other tax-efficient option is a Child SIPP Dealing Account. This account, operated in conjunction with a SIPP Administrator of your choice, locks-up the funds until their retirement, so is a long-term account. In general the money can't be withdrawn early, but you do receive tax relief on contributions.
If your child is not eligible for a CTF and you don't want to look as far ahead as their retirement, take a look at our Designated Dealing Account. Here, the account is under your name, under your control and you decide if and when to pass over the assets to your child. You add an account designation as a simple way of differentiating it from your other, personal, accounts. Because of this, you will be liable for any tax payable, both income tax on income received from investments and Capital Gains Tax, where applicable.
For tax-efficient investing accessible when your child is 18, take a look at the Child Trust Fund. Every eligible child born after 1st September 2002 is entitled to have a Child Trust Fund - the scheme introduced by the government to encourage longer-term savings for children. Assets are held in the account until the child is 18, although they take control of the account from age 16.
We offer two types of CTF: self-select Shares account (non stakeholder) and an index-tracking Stakeholder account. The first is generally more effective if you want to actively manage the investments, choosing for a wide range of options. The second is generally preferred by those who want a simple way to take advantage to the potential for growth offered by the stock market, by investing in a fund that follows the FTSE100 Index.
For longer-term investing still, with added tax advantages and irrespective of your child's birth date, take a look at the Child SIPP Dealing Account. This account, operated in conjunction with a SIPP Administrator of your choice, locks-up the funds until their retirement, so is a long-term account. In general the money can't be withdrawn early, but you do receive tax relief on contributions.
For a flexible, accessible account take a look at the Designated Dealing Account – it is an account in your own name but bearing a designation for your child. Ideal for day-to-day trading activity and ad hoc investments, with access to our full range of available investments. Trade as much, or as little, as you like.
Although designated for your child, you retain full control. So it's up to you to decide when, and even if, to pass the value of the account, or the investments in it, to your child. As such, in law the assets remain yours, and are included in your own tax arrangements.
Tax-efficient savings schemes for children do exist, but they have the disadvantage that you can't access the funds at any time. However, they do help separate your child's assets from your own, and hence avoid any impact on your own tax affairs. If that is important to you, you may have two options: a Child SIPP Dealing Account and, if your child is eligible, a Child Trust Fund (CTF) Account.
The Child SIPP Dealing Account locks-up the funds until their retirement, so is a long-term account. In general the money can't be withdrawn early, but you do receive tax relief on contributions.
A CTF is available to all eligible children born on or after 1 September 2002. The assets are the child's and once money has been contributed it can't be withdrawn until the child's 18th birthday. Your child takes control of the account from age 16.
Since restricting access to the account until your child is age 18 is important to you, consider a Child Trust Fund Account as your first option. Not only is the money 'locked-in' until 18 but you get to take advantage of their personal tax allowances. Unfortunately, however, it is only available to eligible children born on or after 1 September 2002.
The Child Trust Fund was introduced by the government to encourage longer-term savings for children and we offer two types of CTF: self-select Shares account (non stakeholder) and an index-tracking Stakeholder account. In both cases, the child takes control of the account from age 16, and can then choose how to use the fund when it matures at age 18, including the option to roll it into an ISA.
For longer-term investing still, consider a Child SIPP Dealing Account. Because you don't need to be working to have a SIPP, you can open a SIPP for your child and take advantage of the basic tax relief. Of course, they can't access the pension until retirement, so it's not as flexible as other forms of investment - but it does give them a great start to providing for their long-term future.
If your child is not eligible for a CTF and you don't want to look as far ahead as their retirement, take a look at our Designated Dealing Account. Here, the account is under your name, under your control and you decide if and when to pass over the assets to your child. You add an account designation as a simple way of differentiating it from your other, personal, accounts. Because of this, you will be liable for any tax payable, both income tax on income received from investments and Capital Gains Tax, where applicable.
For a flexible, accessible account take a look at the Designated Dealing Account – it is an account in your own name but bearing a designation for your child. Ideal for day-to-day trading activity and ad hoc investments, with access to our full range of available investments. Trade as much, or as little, as you like.
Although designated for your child, you retain full control. So it's up to you to decide when, and even if, to pass the value of the account, or the investments in it, to your child. As such, in law the assets remain yours, and are included in your own tax arrangements.
Tax-efficient savings schemes for children do exist, but they have the disadvantage that you can't access the funds at any time. However, they do help separate your child's assets from your own, and hence avoid any impact on your own tax affairs. If that is important to you, you may have two options: a Child SIPP Dealing Account and, if your child is eligible, a Child Trust Fund (CTF) Account.
The Child SIPP Dealing Account locks-up the funds until their retirement, so is a long-term account. In general the money can't be withdrawn early, but you do receive tax relief on contributions.
A CTF is available to all eligible children born on or after 1 September 2002. The assets are the child's and once money has been contributed it can't be withdrawn until the child's 18th birthday. Your child takes control of the account from age 16.
When limiting access to your child's account until at least age 18 is important to you, there are two main options, one of which depends upon your child's birth date.
Child Trust Fund Account. Every eligible child born after 1st September 2002 is entitled to have a Child Trust Fund - the scheme introduced by the government to encourage longer-term savings for children. Assets are held in the account until the child is 18, although they take control of the account from age 16.
We offer two types of CTF: self-select Shares account (non stakeholder) and an index-tracking Stakeholder account.
For longer-term investing still, consider a Child SIPP - because you don't need to be working to have a SIPP, you can open a SIPP for your child and take advantage of the basic tax relief. Of course, they can't access the pension until retirement, so it's not as flexible as other forms of investment - but it does give them a great start to providing for their long-term future.
If your child is not eligible for a CTF and you don't want to look as far ahead as their retirement, take a look at our Designated Dealing Account. Here, the account is under your name, under your control and you decide when and even if, to pass over the assets to your child. You add an account designation as a simple way of differentiating it from your other, personal, accounts. However, because the account is still effectively yours, you will be liable for any tax payable, both income tax on income received from investments and Capital Gains Tax, where applicable.
There are no specific joint accounts that provide tax advantages but our Joint Dealing account provides you with the opportunity to invest in joint names and is flexible, so that you can withdraw your investments at any time.
For tax-efficient accounts in your own name with flexible access, consider an Individual Savings Account (ISA). Both you and your partner may qualify to open one - with no Capital Gains Tax and no additional income tax liability. Because of the tax benefits, you'll need to be resident in the UK for tax purposes to apply for an ISA and there are some limits on where you invest, and on how much you can subscribe each year.
An ISA doesn't restrict your flexibility to access your money whenever you want. You can withdraw investments from an ISA at any time and, so long as you have scope within your annual ISA allowance, can add back money at a later time in the same tax year, or use your allowance afresh in the next tax year.
There are no specific joint accounts that provide for tax-efficient investment, locked-in until retirement. However, our Joint Dealing account provides you with the opportunity to invest in joint names and, with a little will power, you can leave your assets in the account to draw upon on retirement.
For an account that specifically provides tax-efficiencies and locks-in your investments until retirement, consider a SIPP Dealing Account. This is opened in a sole name – but both you and your partner may qualify to have one. They could then form part of your personal estate, the value of which may be passed to your partner.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
However, do bear in mind that a SIPP is intended to provide an income on retirement for members and their dependants: lump sum death benefits may be taxed heavily and could be subject to inheritance tax. Do therefore check with your chosen SIPP Administrator before considering this as an option.
For a day-to-day, flexible trading account, take a look at our Joint dealing account – the same straightforward account as our dealing account but with the added option of managing it with your partner.
Additionally, if you're thinking of investing with your partner and others too, an Investment Club dealing account might also be worth considering. Forming an investment club with friends, family or colleagues can be a sociable way to invest or to introduce new people to the world of investing.
There are no specific joint accounts that 'lock-in' your assets until retirement but our Joint Dealing account provides you with the opportunity to invest in joint names and is flexible so that you can withdraw your investments at any time. And, of course, with a little will power you can leave the assets in your account until retirement, when you can draw on them as and when you wish!
But as you're planning ahead for retirement it may make sense to look at more tax-efficient ways to do so. A Self Invested Personal Pension Dealing account can only be opened in a sole name, but both you and your partner may qualify to have one. It could form part of your personal estate, the value of which may be passed to your partner. However, do bear in mind that a SIPP is intended to provide an income on retirement for members and their dependants: lump sum death benefits may be taxed heavily and could be subject to inheritance tax. Do therefore check with your chosen SIPP Administrator before considering this as an option.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
You might also consider making use of the personal tax allowances available to both you and your partner by considering an ISA. Once again, the account would be in your sole name but you have more flexibility on drawing on the assets than you have with a SIPP.
For joint investing that gives you the flexibility to draw on your funds at any time, take a look at our Joint dealing account. It's a straightforward day-to-day, flexible trading account, and works just like the sole account version, but enables to invest in joint names.
If tax-efficiency is a consideration, you'll need to look to personal accounts. For flexible withdrawal consider an Individual Savings Account (ISA).
An ISA provides tax-efficient investing - with no Capital Gains Tax and no additional income tax liability. Because of the tax benefits, you'll need to be resident in the UK for tax purposes to apply for an ISA and there are some limits on where you invest, and on how much you can subscribe each year. Both you and your partner may qualify to open one.
With an ISA you can have access to your money whenever you want. You can withdraw investments from an ISA at any time and, so long as you have scope within your annual ISA allowance, can add back money at a later time in the same tax year, or use your allowance afresh in the next tax year.
There are no specific joint accounts that provide tax advantages but our Joint Dealing account provides you with the opportunity to invest in joint names and is flexible, so that you can withdraw your investments at any time. And, of course, with a little will power you can leave your assets in the account to draw upon on retirement, when you can draw on them as and when you wish!
For an account that specifically locks-in your investments until retirement, consider a SIPP dealing account. This is opened only in a sole name – both you and your partner may qualify to have one - they could form part of your personal estate, the value of which may be passed to your partner. However, do bear in mind that a SIPP is intended to provide an income on retirement for members and their dependants: lump sum death benefits may be taxed heavily and could be subject to inheritance tax. Do therefore check with your chosen SIPP Administrator before considering this as an option.
Our SIPP dealing account gives you flexibility in managing your pension. We provide the dealing platform for you to trade in qualifying investments and you choose the Pension Trustee/Administrator you want.
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Please remember: This information is a guide only to those Selftrade services which meet the selection criteria you have chosen. You will want to take onto account your full personal circumstances and be satisfied the account you choose is suitable for your overall needs. If in doubt you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser.
Intraday data is delayed by 15 minutes.
| Name | Latest | Var |
|---|---|---|
| FTSE 100 | 5,436.20 | +1.21% |
| FTSE 250 | 10,208.79 | +0.67% |
| DOW INDUSTRIALS | 10,320.10(c) | +0.49% |
| HONG KONG HANG SENG INDIC | 20,971.50 | +0.49% |
| Nikkei 225 | 9,114.13(c) | +0.57% |
| Name | Latest | Var |
|---|---|---|
| AGGREKO | 1,516.00 | +5.57% |
| AUTONOMY | 1,782.00 | +3.85% |
| BARCLAYS | 323.55 | +3.70% |
| BAE SYS. | 324.00 | +3.42% |
| KAZAKHMYS | 1,285.00 | +3.05% |
| Name | Latest | Var |
|---|---|---|
| TULLOW OIL | 1,155.00 | -2.53% |
| RANDGOLD RES. | 5,915.00 | -1.00% |
| UTD. UTILITIES | 584.00 | -0.60% |
| SAINSBURY(J) | 368.30 | -0.54% |
| NATIONAL GRID | 544.50 | -0.46% |
| Name | Latest | Var |
|---|---|---|
| YELL GRP. | 17.79(c) | +13.24% |
| BP | 392.60(c) | +0.99% |
| LLOYDS GRP. | 72.12(c) | +0.90% |
| BLINKX | 87.25(c) | +10.79% |
| ROYAL BANK SCOT | 46.15(c) | +0.76% |
| Name | Latest | Var |
|---|---|---|
| YELL GRP. | 17.79(c) | +13.24% |
| BP | 392.60(c) | +0.99% |
| LLOYDS GRP. | 72.12(c) | +0.90% |
| BLINKX | 87.25(c) | +10.79% |
| ROYAL BANK SCOT | 46.15(c) | +0.76% |
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Account applications
Dealing account and ISA
CFDs and Spread Betting
Other Investment Accounts and Transfers
It is not possible to apply online for a Child Trust Fund, Investment Club, a Company, Joint, Designated or a SIPP Dealing account. You can download the application forms from the Forms section. If you are looking to transfer an account from another broker, you will also find the appropriate form in this section.
Important Information
Before applying for an account, please ensure you read and understand the Investment Risk Warnings and other important information.
If you are applying for a Selftrade CFD or Selftrade Spread Betting account, provided in association with City Index, please ensure you understand the risks before you open an account and trade, by reading the Terms and Policies and Risk Warning Notices and by completing an appropriateness assessment as part of your account application.
As margined products, which afford substantial leverage, CFD trading and spread betting involve above average risk to your capital. It is possible to quickly lose more money than your initial deposit and you may be required to make further deposits at short notice.
Need more information?
Visit our service pages for more details on the accounts we offer.