Shares ISA – the smart choice

Tax-efficient investing at your fingertips.

Individual Savings Accounts are meant to be just that, individual, so go for one that lets you have your ISA, your way. Not only does it mean you choose the individual investments you want, but it also means you can change your mind to reflect changing market conditions. And it's just as flexible when it comes to investing in funds.

Choose a Fund Manager's ISA and odds are you'll only have a choice of their own funds. If you then want to switch to other funds, it's often a case of having to switch your ISA too. And that can mean cost, inconvenience and time out of the market. But with Selftrade, picking funds is as easy as picking shares. There's over 40 top fund managers to choose from, more than 1,000 funds and many great savings to be had on their initial charges too. So make sure you are as selective in choosing your ISA provider as you are in picking the investments to go in it.

Selftrade Shares ISA... it's the ISAnswer.

Order an information pack >
Download an application form >

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

At a glance

  • Award winning service - voted Best Self Select ISA provider by Shares magazine readers, 2006 and 2007. 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.
  • Invest up to £10,200 each tax year if aged 50 or over as at 5/4/2010, otherwise £7,200 (see table below).
  • 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 or by telephone - for £12.50 per trade.
    Plus reduced rates for frequent traders once you've completed 100 trades in a quarter across all your accounts.
  • 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.

ISA subscription limits 2009/10

Age as at 5 April 2010: 50 or Over
(i.e. born on or before 5 April 1960)
Under 50
Total subscription limit from 6 October 2009 £10,200 £7,200
     
Cash ISA maximum £5,100 £3,600
     
Stocks & Shares ISA maximum £10,200 LESS any amount subscribed to a Cash ISA in the current tax year £7,200 LESS any amount subscribed to a Cash ISA in the current tax year

Further details about the 2009/10 tax year subscription limits >

Trading features

  • 'Best execution' – as standard.
    We'll contact up to 17 different 'marketmakers' 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 Management Fee comes from your Dealing account so you can maximise the tax efficiency of your ISA.

Money management

  • Instant funding
    Use a VISA Delta or Switch/Maestro card. For other ways to credit your account see our FAQs.
  • No fee for dividend collection
    We'll collect your dividends, credit them to your account and provide you with an annual summary. You'll also earn interest monthly on the cash balance in your account.
  • Free income withdrawal
    You can withdraw income at any time and have the money paid straight to your UK bank account.

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 >

Get up to ten free trades

Open and fund your 2009/10 Selftrade Shares ISA by 5 April and you'll receive up to ten free trades to use by 30 April 2010.                    

Free trades are added by noon on the next working day after you pay-in to your ISA so please allow for this when planning your trades. Only your initial subscription counts in determining the number of free trades you’ll receive. 

Full Terms and Conditions >

View the ISA podcast

Watch the Shares ISA Video

For a brief introduction to ISAs take a look at the ISA edition of StockTalk. Selftrade's Stephen Barber discussed ISAs with Tony Vine-Lott of TISA and gets the views of some ISA investors.

Pricing

  • £12.50 - our flat fee for online and phone trades
    Applies across all of our different accounts.
  • No dealing fee on Fund purchases
    Plus many Funds have specially negotiated initial charges and lower management fees to save you even more.
  • Simple Management Fee
    An annual fee of £35 plus VAT covers all of your Selftrade accounts.

Find out more >

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 >

Cash ISA rates too low?

Looking for the potential of better returns in these times of low cash-savings rates?

Under the ISA regulations, you can transfer money from any Cash ISA which you may hold elsewhere to your Selftrade Shares ISA. Of course, investing in shares brings a higher level of risk than cash since shares prices can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. But it's your ISA, so you decide.

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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