Shares ISA - the Selftraders' choice

Tax-efficient investing at your fingertips.

Looking to invest in the stock market and enjoy the tax-efficient benefits of an ISA without the restrictions of a ‘one size fits all’ portfolio? You’re in the right place. Open a self-select Shares ISA with Selftrade and you decide where, when and how your money is invested. So you can tailor your portfolio to include only those investments that you think will yield the best return.

If you don’t already have a Dealing Account with us, we’ll automatically open one for you alongside your new Shares ISA to give you flexibility to pay some fees outside of your ISA.

Please bear in mind that:
  • The value of investments can fall as well as rise and any income from them is not guaranteed. You should be prepared to lose your investment. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
  • The extent and value of any ISA tax advantages or benefits will vary according to the individual's circumstances. The levels and bases of taxation may also change.

Important news: Selftrade has become a bank with deposit taking permissions granted by the Financial Services Authority. This marks an extension of Selftrade’s execution-only stock broking service, which remains at the heart of the Selftrade business.

Selftrade’s Terms and Conditions have therefore changed.

If this is your first account with Selftrade, when you open a Shares ISA, cash balances will be held as a Deposit.

Order an information pack >
Download an application form >

Apply online >
Please ensure you read and understand the Investment Risk Warnings and other important information

Win back your ISA subscription up to £10,680

When you subscribe to or top up your self-select Shares ISA between 1 February 2012 and 5th April 2012 you will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win back your ISA subscription.

Win back your subscription >

At a glance

  • Award winning service - voted Best Self Select ISA provider by Shares magazine readers, 2006, 2007 and 2009. More awards >
  • Choose the investments you want to hold in this tax-efficient account from our wide range of eligible investments, including shares, Funds and ETFs
  • No Capital Gains Tax and no additional income tax to pay.
  • Everyone can invest up to £10,680 from 6 April 2011
  • One easy-to-use account covers all your separate tax years, giving you a complete picture.
  • Build your own Funds ISA - no dealing fee on purchases plus many Funds have specially negotiated initial charges and lower management fees to save you even more.
  • Deal as often or as little as you like online for £12.50 per trade. Plus reduced online rates for frequent traders.
  • Telephone dealing fees start from £17.50.
  • We take care of much of the paperwork, collect your dividends and even provide an end of tax year summary.
  • Nominee account' structure enables us to carry out your instructions with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency - whilst you remain the beneficial owner.
  • Available to eligible UK residents aged 18 and over.
  • Be up and running in minutes - apply online and deposit up to £11,000 by debit card for immediate use.
  • Open a Cash ISA alongside your Shares ISA and it’s easy to move cash into your Shares ISA when the times right to switch from saving to investing.

ISA subscription limits 2011/12

Total subscription limit from 6 April 2011 £10,680
Cash ISA maximum £5,340
Stocks & Shares ISA maximum £10,680 LESS any amount subscribed to a Cash ISA in the current tax year

ISA subscription limits 2012/13

Each year, ISA subscription limits are increased in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). Increases are rounded up to the nearest multiple of 120, to make it easy to plan monthly contributions.

HMRC has announced that the subscription limits that will apply from 6 April 2012 are:

Total subscription limit from 6 April 2012 £11,280
Cash ISA maximum £5,640
Stocks & Shares ISA maximum £11,280 LESS any amount subscribed to a Cash ISA in the current tax year

Open your Cash ISA with Selftrade and we’ll help ensure you don’t exceed your annual subscription limit by monitoring both your Cash ISA and Share ISA subscriptions together. Plus, you could qualify for free trades based on your initial Cash ISA subscription (Terms apply).

Trading features

  • 'Best execution' - as standard.
    We'll contact over 30 different 'Market Makers' in order to get you the best price available, aiming always to beat the bid and offer price quoted on the Stock Exchange's systems.
  • Limit and Stop orders
    For extra control over your dealing, place Limit and Stop orders on UK shares, valid for up to 90 days, at no extra charge. Plus we can advise you when your limits 'trigger' with an email or SMS alert.
  • Separate Dealing account
    We'll automatically open a Dealing account for you, so you can invest in assets that would otherwise fall outside the scope of your ISA. And your annual Management Fee comes from your Dealing account so you can maximise the tax efficiency of your ISA.

Money management

  • Instant funding
    Credit your account online with a VISA Delta or Switch/Maestro card and the money is immediately available for purchases

    More ways to credit your account >

  • No fee for dividend collection
    We'll collect your dividends, credit them to your account and provide you with an annual summary.
  • Free income withdrawal
    You can withdraw income at any time and have the money paid straight to your UK bank account.

See our price list for full details and credit interest rates.

Please remember: The value of investments may fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you originally invested. Limited liability instruments mean that you cannot lose more than you have invested. The risks associated with different instruments will vary: you should choose investments appropriate to your needs and consider your overall mix of different investment types.

View full risk warning >

A Cash ISA for your savings

Having some cash savings put aside is generally a sensible thing, and making them tax-free in a Cash ISA can be a good idea.

A Selftrade Cash ISA sits neatly alongside your Shares ISA. Under the ISA regulations, you can transfer money from a Cash ISA to your Shares ISA, so having them together makes it quick and easy for you to turn savings into investments.

Bed & ISA

Under HMRC regulations you can’t, in most circumstances, simply add existing investments to a Shares ISA. But you can sell and repurchase investments in a process known as ‘Bed and ISA’.

How to Bed & ISA >

Got an account elsewhere?

Want the convenience and simplicity of having all your investments together? Transfer to us and we'll help with the costs. We'll pay up to £300 to cover the cost of moving your existing accounts to us.

Find out more >

Pricing

  • £12.50 - our flat fee for online trades
    Applies across all of our different accounts.
  • Telephone dealing fees start from £17.50
    Please see our Price list for full details
  • No dealing fee on Fund purchases
    Plus many Funds have specially negotiated initial charges and lower management fees to save you even more.
  • One annual Management Fee
    One annual Management Fee of £35 + VAT, which includes three free trades in the month the fee is charged, and which covers any other portfolios you may open with us.

Find out more >

Investment support

  • Markets & news
    For the latest economic, political and company news across the equity market. Plus, latest news and commentaries from the Funds market.
  • Research & Education
    Investment selection tools for shares, Funds, and covered warrants; comprehensive company factsheets; charts and watchlists. Plus guides and information to help enhance your investment skills; from an introduction to the stock market to investment strategies.
  • Customer only research
    Free access to Analysts' Consensus view, Directors' Dealings plus technical analysis from Investors Intelligence.

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